Salon de Maria Blog

Yesterday my soul was screaming “Make some art!  Make some art!”  So, as I sat and watched the Academy Awards last night I took out the card making supplies and created a few Easter and Happy Birthday cards.  You can find most of the cards at my online greeting card shop, but I also added a few at my Etsy shop to do some cross-promotion.  I’m still debating on whether or not I should just have one shop with all of my creations.   However, I do like the idea of being able to market in different areas. 

I know I haven’t been around much here in the past week.  I took some time off and drove to Yosemite with hubby for a little relaxing getaway.  Yosemite was absolutely gorgeous and of course, I took a few shots...

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I’d like to share a post I wrote over at CustomersAreAlways titled 12 Topics I’d Blog About If I Owned An Art Gallery.  I haven’t come across any art gallery blogs yet, so if you own an art gallery and are thinking about starting a blog, the article offers some good ideas. 

Speaking of art business, last night I pondered over the idea of whether or not I should phase out of my own art business.  Right now I have so much going on with my writing and jewelry business.  I want something for myself, ya’ know?  I want to do something where I’m not thinking about making money off of it.  It seems that I’ve turned all my hobbies into money-making opportunities and now I have all these business responsibilities like marketing and bookkeeping. (Which I dis-like, by the way.  If you do too, you may want to check out this San Diego Book Keeping company)   The business aspect of it has taken away from the enjoyment of creating. 

Anyhow, for those of you who are interested in starting your own art business, I did come across this great article by Kelly Bersheim, the founder of Lumina Candles & Art.   She offers tips on how to start your own candle business, but the tips can apply to anyone in the art industry.  

**Sponsored Post

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In the world of business they say that you should find a niche and with so many websites popping up all over the place, I think this is a great opportunity for photographers to cash in.  As a problogger, I love to use images in my blog posts.  I take advantage of websites like MorgueFile because it offers royalty-free images.  Photographers can upload their pictures and get more exposure.  I personally use Flickr to upload my photography for the world to see.  

Well, back to finding a niche...if you’re a photographer and haven’t used the internet to sell your work, what are you waiting for?  There are so many businesses looking for clipart and photographs to use on their website - from real estate agents to rhinoplasty surgeons.  Even fashion has become a very popular niche.  This photo here is the Coach Store in San Francisco which I took when I visited last December. 

One website that I know of where you can sell your photos is iStockphoto.com.  Becoming a member is free and you can also purchase photos at some great prices.  

Here's a great resource:  Marketing for Photographers and Photography has some articles on photography niches...

Another resource:  Profitable Photography in Digital Age: Strategies for Success

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What I’ve come to learn is that many artists think that just because they’re an artist, they have to “starve”.  I’m not sure where the term “starving artist” came, but I think the phrase should be taken out of an artist’s vocabulary.  I completely agree with John Harrington of Photo Business News and Forum when he says:

“Don't live down to this label. Avoid the label like the plague....”

After all, don’t most artists want to make money doing what they love to do? 

Sure, there are some artists out there who create art for the sole intent of spreading creativity and sharing their gifts.  However, for the most part there are many artists who need money to pay rent and eat! 

I talked to someone on this subject and they said that I’m a unique artist/entrepreneur because I don’t follow that starving artist mindset.  If you do believe that you have to starve to be an artist, why not hang out at La Jolla restaurants?  I’m sure you’ll run into somebody who will either A) feed you or B) buy your art.  However, in all seriousness though,  I believe that we were all created to lead abundant lives and I don’t believe that there’s anything wrong with making tons of money by creating art. 

Pictured here is a painting I did back in the days of eating Ramen and thinking I had to live this way to be an artist...

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I’ve been going through a creativity block the past couple weeks.  Perhaps it has to do with dealing with family members passing away and my mind has been cluttered with random thoughts and dreams that don’t make sense.  Many artists use their art to work out their grief, but for me, I would rather stare mindlessly at cartoons.  I’ve done a little bit of blogging, but even then I don’t feel quite inspired. 

I’m just numb.

I do long to start up painting again.  I start feeling this way when I want to release some frustrations.  After reading this art therapy blog, I know I have all this creative energy that needs to express itself.  This line resonates with me:

Creating art can help reshape life experiences that may be too painful for words, providing an outlet for emotions that may be therapeutic in the hands of an experienced art therapist.

Now if I can just find my paintbrushes...

Related Post:

Art Therapy Resources 

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