Kinda like a fire hose

I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma. ~Eartha Kitt.

A few things I have learned recently:

a. While at a recent quilt show I found that while it is the color and pattern that draw me TO a quilt, it is the quilting that draws me IN to linger. I will find a good balance of design in my quilts that attracts and holds a viewer from both 20 feet and 20 inches.

b. It is amazing how much knowledge people are willing to share if you just ask. I sent a note to Melody Johnson, an artist that I really respect. The following is a brief summary of her answer. For Melody’s full reply see her blog of July 6. She has a lot of good advice, scroll down to the section with the title Advice Bits.

Melody,

I am a faithful reader of your blog and always look forward to hearing your latest adventure or endeavor. I would appreciate some advice from you. I have a full time day job but want to transition to making my living selling my art quilts.

• What do you find is the best venue for selling your artwork?


• Do you have to teach to sell art work or is it a way to diversify and supplement the income?


• Do I have to have quilts on display at the major quilt show to be taken seriously?


• What are the top 3 or 4 bits of advice you would give?

Thanks so much.

 

Dear Faithful Reader,

As you are aware, I am always happy to spew my opinions. So you want to sell your art quilts for a living? Here's some ideas that may work (in a perfect world).

 

1. Spread out all your available work and corral them into piles of like subjects or styles. Look at what is your best, or strongest original work.

2. Make more work.

 

3. Take great photos or have great photos taken by a pro. Put those great photos in the hands of a professional website designer and have a great website designed for your work.

4. Yes it is important to have your work in competitions. It is a strengthening process to have it compete with others who have the same hopes of making a living with their work.

5. Teaching may or may not be something you desire. I loved it but it is not for everyone. But I sold most of my art to my students. Let me rephrase that. I sold ALL of my art quilts to my students.

 

6. Send your work to magazines.

7. Try a vending at a quilt show.

8. Approach interior designers with your work.

9. Put your work in online venues like Artful Home or join SAQA which also has a selling site.

 

10. Find something in your work that shouts WOW! This cannot be underestimated.

 

I hope these gave you some good ideas and encouragement.

 

Melody

c. When the student is ready the master appears. ~Buddhist Proverb

I as I put myself in a learning mode, I find the information that I need is coming at me from all directions. I mean in all directions, kinda like a fire hose!

Comments

[Diana Parkes]

Lots of good advice from Melody. All the best with your endeavours. I hope you keep us informed on progress.