An Asheville artist whines: I barely made enough money at last weekend’s River Arts District Studio Stroll to pay for food I put out

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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From a post at DawnDalto.net:

Today I feel that I have reached the end of my rope. I have created (what I think) are lovely dishes and tiles and wall boxes.  I have marketed them via shows, online via my website, etsy, 1000 markets, etc..  I have submitted for stories and features on blogs, magazines and the newspaper. I have done my research, made line sheets, approached shops and galleries. Yet here I sit with a studio full of beautiful things that no one seems to want.

This weekend was our bi-annual Studio Stroll and we had lots of lovely visitors telling me how beautiful things were, but they were just looking and munching on the food. I barely made enough money to cover the expense of the food I put out for my guests.  And yes, some of them may come back at a later time because of their visit, but the problem is that if I don’t generate revenue now they won’t have someone to come back to.

I have even drastically reduced the prices of my work to entice folks to make the leap to buy.  I know that the economy is tight everywhere.

It has been almost 6 months since leaving my full time job to pursue this dream.  I don’t want to give it  up, but financially it’s not working.  I say financially…but also emotionally and mentally.  It is discouraging to put your heart and soul into something and find out that you may not have what it takes to sustain it.

I won’t ever give up my art (in whatever form it takes), but I am really having to put some hard thinking into returning to the job market.  I say hard thinking, but in reality I have already had to put out some feelers.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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23 Comments

  1. Hungry April 8, 2013

    Even famous artists were hungry. Vincent van Gogh lived in poverty.

    Part of the problem in Asheville is that you are competing with a saturated market. There are too many artists here. You should go somewhere where there is less competition.

    Reply
  2. amelia July 21, 2010

    ignorance is dangerous, now we dont need artists. just recently on the nightly news I heard the conservatives talking about how so much money was being wasted on the signs on the side of the road to let people know that the stimulus money was being used for the roadwork.

    so now sign makers arent important? next thing youll know Lindsey Lohan will be the most important person in the world. Oh wait.

    Its all a diversion from the really important stuff. Here, look at the shiny object while we undereducate you and loot the coffers.

    if we as a society dont value art, then we are going to start looking like cold war east germany.

    thats unamerican, on so many levels.

    Reply
  3. Sanders Chantall June 23, 2010

    "For me, generating more income in this economy means providing an art experience in the form of workshops and authoring a how-to book."

    So you’re going to give workshops and write a how to book on how to spend 13 years at art and NOT be successful?
    Good luck.

    Reply
  4. Asheville Dweller June 22, 2010

    But I thought Asheville was the Art captial of the south and everyone was buying this up at break neck speed. Whats the point of being an artist when you have to write a HOW TOO BOOK???

    Reply
  5. Chantal Saunders June 22, 2010

    I have been an artist in Asheville for over 13 years and I have yet to make it my main source of income. The retail market for art is flooded and hampered by cheap imported knock offs. For me, generating more income in this economy means providing an art experience in the form of workshops and authoring a how-to book. The point about marketing is spot on. You can make your art all day long but if no one buys it, what’s the point? Consider hiring an agent to sell your wares regionally or even nationally to help move your product. The cliche term "starving artist" stems from truth. Art is not how people get rich. Don’t lower your prices, spend more energy finding those art buyers who appreciate your work. Good luck!

    Reply
  6. Author June 22, 2010

    Hey "Big Al!" You are a riot, man! I thoroughly enjoyed your comments about artists.
    Are you appearing at any local comedy clubs, where I can catch the rest of your obviously Budwiser-addled, oblivious-to-reality comedy stylings?

    Reply
  7. Dan June 22, 2010

    Maybe if she lowered her prices someone would buy something? Or maybe move back to where she came from.

    Reply
  8. Asheville Dweller June 19, 2010

    Might want to consider getting a real job.

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  9. Genie Maples June 19, 2010

    It takes a particular kind of generosity to speak publicly about things connected to personal vulnerability.

    Reply
  10. Big AL June 19, 2010

    Not getting rich making pretty pictures & statues? Have to get a REAL job to make ends meet? WELCOME (back) TO THE REAL WORLD PAL! I am sick and tired of the entitlement mentality of artists, especially in Asheville. I am also sick of artists believing that they and their art is SO SPECIAL that the world will stop turning if they and their trinkets are not subsidized by the tax base. Get over yourselves. And get a job!

    Reply
  11. E June 17, 2010

    Six months huh? Buck up dear.

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  12. Katie June 17, 2010

    Don’t they say when you go into business, you should expect to loose money your first year. I think selling art is a business like any other and if you can afford to, you should try to stick with it and just expect not to see any profits until you’ve been working at it for at least a year.

    Maybe you could figure out what your expenses would be for a year as an artist not making any money and go back to work somewhere to save up that sum and start again, or maybe keep your art on the side while you work another job. Just because this isn’t working out for you right now, that doesn’t have to be the end of it. Don’t give up. There are always options.

    Reply
  13. CHCollins June 17, 2010

    Unfortunately, there’s so much great art that it has become a commodity, and for commodities the price just keeps falling. To make a living at it, you need to be a great marketer-promoter in addition to whatever other talent you have. I’m no self-promoter and I get tired of that feeling of being "consumed". And this puts a perspective on what one does with one’s art — maybe one has to return to just being happy doing it for oneself, and everything else is "see what happens’. I’ve been down the road of dashed hopes, and this makes you rethink what "success" means to you.

    Reply
  14. Ricky Party June 16, 2010

    So you quit your regular job and expected to draw a living income solely from the art world? Of course you’re going to be disappointed if that’s the case.

    Most of the artists who do nothing but paint/craft/sculpt all day down there in the arts district are trust-fund babies who don’t have to make money and can just do what they want. Most of us who pursue our dreams of being artists do it on the side until we can make a reasonable claim to leave our regular incomes.

    Reply
  15. [email protected] June 16, 2010

    the sad reality is that the rest of the world doesnt live in the dream world of Asheville. I lived in Asheville for over 15 years, but recently moved. It’s not the same Asheville it was in 1994. Some people can afford to pay $1 million(s) of dollars for condos that sell for $175,000 in other towns, but the fact is, most people cant – or – out of common sense wont. Asheville has priced itself out of reality – things are only going to get worse as people realize they have put themselves "underwater" – as they say in the realty world. I feel sorry for Dawn and the many numerous Dawns in Asheville we will never hear about. I am also a potter and I saw this coming a long time ago and decided to get out before the bubble burst. I wish I had something positive to say, but…

    Reply
  16. plastic paddy June 16, 2010

    OMG- you mean to say that all artist aren’t rich? What the hell, I was fixing to give up my career to pedal my arts and crafts down by the river. Not now, thanks guys!

    Reply
  17. Dawn Dalto June 16, 2010

    Hey folks, don’t give Ash a hard time. I used the word whining. I was poking fun at myself and having a pity party. My blog isn’t about always being a cheerful, happy-go-lucky person/artist. If you go back and read some of my older posts you will see that. I am struggling and I am telling the truth about the ups and the downs. Today was a down. We all have them, I just put mine out there on the internet.

    Whatever your thoughts I appreciate your interest.

    To 007: I’ll take your advice under consideration. I am a southern girl and do like to make sure my guests are welcome, that’s why I did offer food.

    To: TPAFan – Thank You for taking the time to look at my website and for saying that "your heart is helping". If you have the time or the inclination please go back and go to the SALE section. I have some fabulous dinnerware that is marked down drastically.

    Now I am not above a shameless plug if I’m getting publicity, so if you want to go shopping you can visit me at my website and on etsy and you are more than welcome to email me and come visit the studio.

    Thanks for the attention – good or bad

    Reply
  18. Jeb June 16, 2010

    I retract the comment, then; if I’d known you were merely using the author’s own words I’d have kept my darn mouth shut.

    Thanks for the explanation, and also for the service and entertainment you’re providing. Keep up the good work!

    Reply
  19. TPAFan June 16, 2010

    Well I read your blog every day, I live in Tampa but my heart is there. Well like she pointed out it is tight everywhere. I went to her site because I was going to purchase something to help out. However I can’t afforf 45$ for a single ceramic wall tile. My heart is in helping though

    Reply
  20. Ash June 16, 2010

    Jeb, I appreciate your thoughts. I should have included that first line, which AM points to.

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  21. AM June 16, 2010

    Jeb — I thought the same thing until I went to Dawn’s site and read her original post. She starts it by saying "I warned you there would be whining occasionally. Today I’m whining."

    Reply
  22. Jeb June 16, 2010

    Ash- ‘Whines’ is sort of an extreme word, don’t you think? Sounds like this lady is giving it her best shot in her efforts to make a living, and is having a tough time of it. I’m not sure that ridicule is an entirely appropriate response. What kind of town would Asheville turn into if all our artists decided to roll up because they couldn’t make a living?

    I’ve been reading you for a long time and certainly intend to continue; this just seems a little out of character for you.

    Reply
  23. 007 June 16, 2010

    Next time don’t offer food!!

    Reply

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