daw_etc's blog

So I really would like to get into doing work on commission. My problem (I always have a problem) is that I'm not sure how to adverstise. I don't have a ton of money so I can't do anything crazy....but posting flyers doesn't seem realistic either because I'm afraid that people will expect to pay less. Like they won't take me seriously and they'll think they can get away with offering garage sale prices. I'm not unfair and crazy-high-priced like people in fancy boutiques but I certainly expect to be paid what my product (or painting/drawing) is worth.
You know?

It's going to be a year in November that I've worked at my current job. It is only the second job I've ever had but the last one I was at for a year also. So that two years of job experience. Anyways, the current one is a retail sort of situation. And cashier. And of course by now I hate it. Obviously, you know?
But lately I started to really, really DREAD it. So I know I need a new one soon.
I guess I'm a tiny bit picky when looking for a job that I'd at least like. I don't want to work with food or be in any major retail environments. And I would not be good at much general labor as I'm not physically strong.
I don't really expect to magically recieve the perfect job that uses my artistic abilities and challenges me and makes me happy everyday (and pays well!). But really...I'd take anything that's better than this. Trying to interact with large crowds of angry, mean people just isn't making me feel good (again I say; obviously).
So do me a favor. Hire me.
Thanks

I've been moaning and mumbling and growling to myself (and others..) about my hideous job. I don't want to mention any names (since I need to continue paying my bills) but I work in retail. Those of you who do or have worked similar jobs just gave a sigh of sympathy for me. This is not the job for me. This is not the job for anyone. I would love a new job. A job that is even MILDLY related to art. Where some of my talents are used and I'm not just memorizing greetings for guests who are gonna be bitches to me anyways cause I'm wearing a name tag.
One problem is that no one wants to hire you if you don't have their specific experience. I've applied at florists but they don't even consider a painter because she has no "actual" forist experience. Even though she'd be great at it!
I've always known that I'd have to have a "real" job to support myself while just earing some money here and there from my art..but now I'm starting to think things like "Will I have this job forever???" It's a disgusting thought. It's making me question everything and wonder if I should find some sort of classes or something that will teach me something "useful." I wouldn't even mind haveing like...3 different jobs, as long as they were ones I don't hate!
Anyone wanna hire me?....Please? Haha, yeah I know..we're all poor.
Le sigh. Le mew.

Let's just say that I'm not exactly a social butterfly. I guess I'm one of the many artist stereotypes; brooding alone in my crappy little apartment. But I'm slowly discovering (much to my dismay) that you have to know people if you want to get your art out there. You have to have CONNECTIONS. I do not have connections. I have nothing even similar to connections. I am connectless.

So I have to be social. I have to meet people, befriend people, and get them interested in me. It's sort of upsetting that your art isn't enough, you know? But maybe that's why no artist is appreciated in their time; they weren't friendly enough to get people interested, haha.

How does one go about this?! I've read quite a few articles about this subject..Some of their suggestions I just laugh at because they're so not me..But I can do some things: business cards to pass out, local art shows, galleries (if I knew how to get into them!), having any friends and relatives talk me up to THEIR friends and relatives...And then there's meeting new people...

Meeting new people. Sounds easy. You just meet them! But no...Like I said, I'm no butterfly. I don't even go out enough to meet people! Does school and work count? And how the hell do you start a conversation about your own art? It just sounds so...snooty and braggy and..I don't know; hard.

But it must be done!! Because I can not work at a retail job all my life, painting pictures for friends. Cause we gotta be famous. Social = Famous? Solve that.