Many artists in art school are told on the first day of class that perhaps 1 out of 100 artists will make money off of their life's work. Yet how many of these same artists try to actively sell their work instead of waiting for something to fall into their laps? There is a small minority who work to get their work sold, and those artists have developed methods for doing so.

Art Galleries

Offering your work to an art gallery to show off your pieces can lead to anything from a space on the wall to a one-person show, depending on your talent and if your work falls into the style of art that they show. Look for art galleries that specialize in the type of art that you create; they will be more likely to show and try to sell your art than galleries that don't. When approaching an art gallery, find out first, by calling or emailing, how they prefer to see samples of your work: by sending photos, or, if is a more informal gallery, making an appointment to show some pieces. Don't be overly aggressive; most gallery managers will be able to tell you immediately if they are interested in seeing more of your work. They may request that you send images on a CD, copies of the originals or even the originals themselves to see matting and/or framing. Getting an appointment is key to trying to get your work sold through the gallery. A majority of art galleries hold openings and art walks where a number of people will pass your work with intents ranging anywhere from admiring to purchasing. In this business, it is all about publicity, no matter how big or small, because if an art collector enjoys your work enough, he may seek it out or commission more from you. Never underestimate what working and/or networking with an art gallery may do to help out the struggling artist, although be aware that galleries will not buy your art outright; they will offer it for sale and take a substantial commission on the final sale price.

Online Marketing

Working online is a major outlet for artists. Getting known on the Internet through a website or an online art community such as DeviantArt and Yessy could lead to making a profit with your work. Through a domain name and the right marketing (word of mouth, handing out flyers, linking on sites, etc.), an artist could make a pretty penny from online orders and get noticed. Websites are the easiest calling cards for allowing the world to see and purchase artwork without having to do too much more than posting and passing out your web address. Type "sell art" into a search engine and you will find many art sites and gallery showcases which are free to use and will help to sell your artwork. It's important to find your niche; for instance, websites such as UGallery and DeviantArt consist more of graphic design and pencil art, while other sites such as Etsy and Yessy are geared toward craft art and fine art. The Internet is constantly expanding and changing; stay in contact with other artists and share information about online communities and markets.

Get an Agent

Possibly the best thing an artist can do is get an art agent. This could help your career and get your art sold by the simple fact that a professional agent knows all of the people that you want to know. They can present your art to galleries, set up shows for you and introduce you to collectors. They are not cheap--they work either for a flat fee or for a percentage of sales--but they will do all of the work for you while you concentrate on creating more art. If they believe that your art will be profitable, they will most likely get it sold. This option is best for artists who have a track record and a solid body of work.

Source:

Art Business: Art Consultants

UGallery: Selling Art Work

More Information:

Yessy

DeviantArt