The Entrepreneurial Side of Art

The Gift of the Artistic Broken Promises

The Entrepreneurial Side of Art

I'll be honest; I'm mesmerized by the business side of art because I find the idea that people can do what they love and get paid for it fascinating. Entrepreneurs like Kelly Rae Roberts and Mary Engelbreit motivate me.

These innovative women took their artistic passions into the marketplace and changed the world for the better. Kelly Rae Roberts was my muse for getting into mixed media. I followed her instructions in her book, Taking Flight, to create this piece that includes collage, oil painting, and embellishments (mask, feathers, ribbon, and jewelry):

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So what is it about the business side of art that captivates me and so many other people as well? I can't answer for them but sure can for me. When you make something someone wants to buy, you get a euphoric feeling because your art connected with another person. The sale soothes your doubts that tend to bubble up inside your brain with thoughts like, my art sucks. Who would want it?

Ironically, I had just posted about my tendency to prioritize making art over marketing my new book in The Gift of the Artistic:

"This morning I wondered why the pursuit of art is so important to me. After all, I could spend a whole lot more time marketing my new book instead of trying to oil paint. The first would make me money but the later brings me incalculable joy."

Then at the end of the day, I checked my email and found a notification that one of the masks my daughter and I made had sold on Etsy. I think God has a sense of humor, and I had to eat my words.

When I reread the description of the mask on Etsy, it reminded me of how a little girl's childhood delight can transform into her big girl dream:

"This hand-sculpted mask is another one of Elya Filler's originals.

She designed the mask to generate the imagery of a sea creature (One of Elya's favorite childhood cartoons is "The Little Mermaid"). She embellished the mask with a butterfly and buttons. Her paisley theme is another one of her favorite artistic delights. Black, blue, and white feathers accent the mask."

As I wrapped up "The Mermaid" and sealed the box for shipping, my mind quickly calculated further possibilities, If only I could sell a dozen a month…Now, although I'm not in this to get rich (although I'm open to the prospect of making more money), the goal remains the same; supplement my income so I can pursue my dreams of traveling to far away places, publishing more books, and buying lots of art supplies.

And although I don't yet have a central, focused body of art (mine's all over the place, as is typical of a creative eclectic), I look forward to the day when my artistic product line will emerge.

Elya's Unfinished Mermaid Mixed Media Collage

I've also gleaned some business tips from Kelly Rae's e-book, "Flying Lessons," and I strongly suggest this resource for any artistic entrepreneur in need of ideas for a business model.

Fate seems to have a way of aligning the delivery of messages through multiple means. The day I sold the mask on Etsy, the two curriculums I use in one of my literacy classes coincided. Students had the opportunity to create a job resume in a READ 180 workshop and listen to a vocabulary rap, "How to Become an Entrepreurner" in a Flocabulary song.

Yes, for some artistic souls, there is a business side of art that draws them like those mermaid-like sirens.

In fact, the very definition of an entrepreneur, "an innovator who takes initiative and risks," reveals the creative, innovative assets akin to artistic expression. So, if you feel the pull, you're probably meant to be an artistic entrepreneur. Don't fight the feeling, but glean from the expertise of others. I don't plan to quit my day job, but I'll continue to delight in dabbling in the business side of art.

*The same day I received the notification of the mask sale, I received a Facebook email from someone asking to buy a signed book copy .