As an artist, I feel completely unsupported by the general public. No one cares.
Hi RYL. I've logged in after probably being inactive for around two years now, at least. Happy to say that I am doing alright, although right now things are a bit difficult. Because of that I can feel myself slipping backwards and I just needed a place to vent. I hope you can understand.
I dropped out of university for a number of reasons - namely bad mental health issues. I had severe anxiety and depression and I believe it was partly due to the fact I hated the course, as rather than pursue my love of art and creating things, I'd picked the option that seemed more sensible.
Anyway, it took a LOT of guts for me but I made it into art college. I start there in a couple of months. In the mean time I have been doing a work placement learning how to create fused and stained glass. It's actually something that revived my soul - I feel renewed now that I have this new skill that I love.
My family saw my glassworks, and were so happy that they supported me by buying me my very own kiln and other various glass fusing equipment. We are by no means well off, and I was more grateful than I can ever express for their generosity and encouragement.
Since then, I've carved a dream for myself. I want to get to art college, get an HND, whilst working on my glass in the background. If I can sell it and gain a small following of supporters, then maybe one day I could have my own studio, where people can come in and buy my stuff. More than anything, I want to follow my boss' example, and take on people who suffer from things such as depression and anxiety, in order to give them something to enjoy and make their lives better as was my experience.
So I worked hard. Really hard. I didn't have the money to book a table to myself at a craft fair so I split a table with another crafter. I worked tirelessly to make jewellery, light holders, wall hangings, brooches, bracelets - even paintings to take along with me.
When I got there, I saw other artists who all had their tables, full of things they'd made like woodwork, jewellery, cards, candles - tons and tons of stuff made by hand with their unique designs. I was in awe, and actually enjoyed it when we had moments to speak to one another and learn about the different trades.
Sadly, nothing much happened for the rest of the day. People came in to look around and then headed back on out, buying nothing. I was shocked at how few buyers there were. Artists NEED the support of the public if they are to continue to create. We cannot do this unsupported, and even if it's taking the time to talk to us, take even a business card - whatever. Just don't look at my stuff, ignoring my "hello" and then walk off. It hurts.
I know this has become a pity party, but I guess I'm just a bit shocked by how little people cared. I get that not all shows would be like that, but it was an event of local artists - and I assumed our community would have rallied their support. Has artwork become so unimportant in the public eye?
Even today, I was trying to get more publicity for my stuff on fb - so I had a giveaway. A "like and a share" of my post would enter you into a prize draw for one of my favourite necklaces that I've made. 140 people have seen it, and three have bothered to share it.
It doesn't cost you anything to take a minute to like and share. When you scroll past posts like that from local artists, you are letting them drown. You are literally killing their chances.
We need enthusiasm and support. Especially people like myself who have only just begun their business. I know these things take time, but with social media and the ease in which a page of a business can be put out there to the world, I find it hard to understand why people aren't more willing to support.
I will keep trying. I know my art is good, because the amount of time, energy and love I put into it makes it good. I want to share something good with the world, if only it would acknowledge me.
The discouragement is really getting to me. I'm scared I've made the wrong choice. That this was a ridiculous plan.
"There's no such thing as perfect. You're beautiful as you are Courage. With all your imperfections, you can do anything."
Earning a living from art and craft is a hard but to crack. And some people do just like to observe.
I think a lot of people who have craft businesses have a normal mundane job on the side to pay bills and keep money flowing until their business is more access full. Building a business is a long slog and the rewards won't come over night but over years.
Use the internet and make a blog and create a following (also takes a long time and unique selling point)
I run a site and it's taken a long time for it to start becoming a little successful and still I can't make money from it even though I want to. It's a real long haul.
It's not the publics job to fund everyone who wants to make art and crafts it's your job to persuade the public and customers that they want or need your product and that takes marketing etc which takes time and a usp.
It's not as simple as making and selling. There's more to it than that. But you can do it. It'll just take time and consistent effort and continuing even when there is no interest initially or feedback initially.
Ohhh hiiii.
Basically, I'm gonna sound cruel, but as a practicing artist. It's tough. In fact, it's more than tough, it's heart-wrenchingly awful at times.
Not enough people support the arts, but that is a symptom of something bigger, people don't have the finances to buy art, it's not because they don't like it, it's because very few people have the disposable income.
The government is cutting funding to the arts and I'm going to disagree with Arienette. The public should be supporting the arts, they should be supporting the culture because it's people like you, myself and all the people that you know in music, art, illustration and writing that are creating culture. You are using age old processes and creating a contemporary product. That is a very very important thing.
It's not a ridiculous plan at all, you can do this, it's just slow and long and miserable at times. The only way to really push forward is to do the hustle, and it feels awful and disgusting but it works.
Get a website/blog/etsy, get business cards, every person you talk to at some point mention what you do, use social media to advertise your stuff, facebook algorithm is crap, facebook is useless at getting your stuff seen by people unless you are willing to pay.
Post things to your personal facebook page, ask friends to share. I recently had some work featured in a magazine, someone I met years ago on this site saw my work and thats how to happened.
You can do it, honestly, it's just hard and slow and **** at times.
I was going to say the same, that some people just don't have money right now. It doesn't mean they don't appreciate your art though. And then some people just aren't interested in art, it's not a slight on you, but different people have different interests.
I don't think it's a ridiculous plan either, I think you should do what you love, and I'm sure you have talent. I really hope you will be able to support yourself through it, but as said, it's a tough nut to crack. You should keep doing it if it makes you happy, but if you can't make a career of it, please don't feel too bad. The course sounds interesting and helpful though so I wish you all the luck in the world.
I studied and tried to make a career in performing, it didn't quite work out, I did a few things but nothing long term. But I loved it and had a lot of fun, met some good people and used it as a form of expression. But I understand feeling unappreciated and despondant, and tryimg so hard but feeling you're getting nowhere. It's just so bloody hard to get ahead in creative industries. And there is so much fierce competition too.
Having said all of that, try to stay hopeful. You wont know unless you try. As a practical suggestion, you could open a shop on etsy.com I have a friend who sells jewellery on there, you should check it out, you get your own little personal shop, its quite cool actually.
I don't want to sound negative, but art is subjective. Not everyone will like your art! It's important to keep that in mind. Also maybe that one craft fair was on at a time when people were doing something else (eg football, another event) or maybe the location wasn't great, or even the town/city it was in does not have an arty demographic. Don't give up, you'll have to figure out where people are that like your particular art.
Go to art college, do what makes you passionate. Ask for tips and advice on setting up your own business, and be prepared in the meantime to find alternative paying work as you're getting set up.
Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different…
you once called your brain a hard drive, well say hello to the virus.
