“What are some of the ways I can earn money from my art?” This question is asked by many artists, not just students of art. Many talented artists would prefer to make a little money on the side with their art talent rather than having to get a full or part-time regular job to support them, freeing up the time to chase their dream of doing art their own way. Below are suggestions of where to find art jobs to help get you started.

These are simply some of the ways of getting art work. They are suggestions only, but I hope they are ideas that will stimulate you. Keep in mind, every art job is different and you need to make your own rules as you look for available jobs.

Pricing will have to be your decision. You will have to use your bargaining ability to get as much as you can. However, remember that there is another talented person trying to get the same job; but don’t let that intimidate you. Sell yourself, as well as your talent and ability. Just be smart enough not to price yourself out of business. Time and effort will have to be considered to build your part-time art business. However, every community  has some art needs which you can furnish. If you give good service to your customers, you will find it will bring yourself pleasure, as well as the much needed added income.

• Small local newspapers: This is a good source, because these papers are community oriented. They can help in their own purchases, or (more importantly) indirectly through their many connections with people who occasionally call on them for help or advice in buying art. Get acquainted with the advertising manager of these companies. They may be so small that one person (may be the owner) is handling everything. Show that you can be a pleasant relief by assisting.
• Churches and Service organizations: Many organizations today use the internet programs to design their newsletters; however, local art often can be much more attention getting. Out of all the organizations ,and churches, and even local businesses that have newsletters are a potential market.
• Menu covers: This is an opportunity for lettering, humor, and illustration. How about art that calls attention to their specials? Also, when dealing with restaurants, they may wish to have you customize place mats for them. If they can’t afford to pay you, take pay by letting them feed you. You might just make a better bargain than cash. It’s called bartering. My brother, artist Lynn Burton, barters all the time. My father, artist Arlen Burton, practically bartered everything in his sign business – mechanical work, gasoline, food, I even recall once that he bartered for a car. He was a master at it.

• Pin-striping, painting, and decorating cars: Is there a Hot-Rod club in your community? They can use all kind of art, especially, decorating their cars. Once your “in”, they will be a constant source of money as new members join. Don’t forget to mention T-shirt, and leather jacket art. Lynn Burton has had a constant stream of income from a local hot-rod club in Lubbock, Texas.

• Have you considered going to local college fraternities and organizations? If you have silk screening skills, you can have good results that can lead to a consistent part-time art business. The more personalized you present your work, the easier it will be to make a sell. Your competing with a lot of big computerized companies, but if your idea for them remains small and personalized, it can be lucrative.
• Small shops, boutiques, and beauty salons are an excellent opportunity for artists: Not only do they offer the possibility of window painting advertising specialties (if inside the window, be sure to be able to paint in reverse), but if you have the talent to paint on material, you can paint handkerchiefs, neckties, scarfs, and etcetera. This offers the owner the opportunity of selling before purchasing on custom items.
• Portraits
• Place cards
• Personalized Christmas cards.
• Painted picture plates.
• Painted personalized glassware of all types.

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  Do not forget some of the most fun (and hard work) of all is mural painting. Again, you will be competing with other local artists when selling the project. But look at the opportunities available. Many businesses wish to have a painted history of their business; such as, restaurants; hotels; stores; clubs; pubs; manufacturing companies; and almost any business existing that has space for a mural. It can be large or small. It can be a mural on the outside of the business, or one (or several) on the inside of the business. Is it lucrative? Ask the artist that painted wall art for the Face Book company. He accepted stock instead of money (barter?). If the news reports that I heard about this are true, he made an exceptionally lucrative thing. Of course, we can’t all expect something like this to happen, but bargain carefully.

The above are some ideas of the possibilities. They’re mere suggestions. If you are creative enough with your marketing, you should be able to do work that corresponds with your desire to be a fine art artist. Remember, the more you do, the more your name and art is out there among the public. That start up restaurant in your community today may become the restaurant of the future with locations all over the country. The owner may remember you for their muralist, table mat artist, or may even someday afford that expensive piece of art that you’re selling in one of the fine art galleries in America.

• You can check some of Lynn’s paintings out at the top of the page in his Gallery.
• Also, check out the Burton Family gallery.
• Be sure to join our newsletter. You might win a beautiful art coffee table book, Splash 14.
• Don’t forget, there are some recommended helpful art books and etcetera in the Great Opportunities page at the top.
• Be sure to “like” us on our Facebook Page at the right.