What is your greatest challenge as an artist?

[artful*paper*doll]

Hello all! It's been awhile since I have posted so hope you are well. I am interested in learning more about what you all find to be your greatest challenges while engaged in this business of being an artist. I know what I find challenging so I'll list some here that maybe you resonate with to help facilitate things a bit. I think one of the biggest challenges I face is how to make a living doing what I love to do most which is create beautiful art. Have you ever done a search in your niche market and found artists doing very well in their auctions? I mean, these people can put up a one day listing and have buyers literally CAMPED on the "Place Bid" key in a buying frenzy! How do they do it? Has anyone else done this and felt the green eyed monster of envy rearing it's ugly head at you? Another challenge might be supplies. It would be nice to find all of the supplies I buy online all in one place for a reasonable price. Sometimes I can not find what I need in the brink and mortar establishments so I have to buy online but I don't always find everything in one shop which creates multiple shipments and multiple shipping charges. Speaking of shipping, are you happy with everything you are doing but still find you are getting dinged on shipping for things that are beyond your control? For example, we have to package items so that they will arrive at the end destination hopefully in the same condition they left us in. Is it frustrating to get that tarnished star when you know the customer isn't looking any further than the price of the postage stamp? Maybe you would just like to learn a more efficient way of packaging? Maybe your challenge is how to drive more traffic to your auctions and blogs so buyers can find you? I don't know what your challenge might be but I would love to hear about it. If you are shy you can always take the poll listed on my blog. It will be up until Sept. 2 and contains all of the answers I've just listed. The link appears below my signature. -- Cheers! = ] Kellie Paper Cat Designs www.papercatdesigns.blogspot.com -- Edited by papercatdesigns at 08/22/2008 7:50 PM PDT

[cheries_art]

Hey Kellie, I took the poll on your blog site...great site too! I'll be back and read some more at a later time, thanks! Cherie -- My Listings!

[artful*paper*doll]

Thanks so much Cheries_art! I appreciate your help and the compliment on my site. 😉 My goal is to be able to provide other artists with useful information that is of interest to you and will help you become more successful. -- Cheers! = ] Kellie Paper Cat Designs www.papercatdesigns.blogspot.com

[artistjillian]

Finding a niché is the hardest part. Sometimes you just fall into it. I hope to 'fall' again. I used to sketch houses and do floor plans for Real Estate companies for many years, doing over 9,000 while self employed. Unfortunately times have changed and could never do that again. Plus was so physically demanding - almost no sleep during the week while working. -- ~Jillian artist, Jillian Crider ... google me!

[artistjillian]

Thank you for opening this discussion. I'll come back later for more. :) -- ~Jillian artist, Jillian Crider ... google me!

[laniehase]

Great topic! I think the greatest challenge for me at present is marketing my art. Trying to figure out where to list it and when to list it. Next greatest challenge is my website which I've been trying to build for a year. I definitely need more technical skills for that.

[artful*paper*doll]

I am pleased that you are enjoying the topic. I am taking notes on your comments so thank you so much. Great material so far! Hope others will join in too. ;) -- Cheers! = ] Kellie Paper Cat Designs www.papercatdesigns.blogspot.com

[mazoommzee]

My greatest challenge as an artist is being an artist. -- My hedgeblog: http://aerialarmadillo.blogspot.com

[artful*paper*doll]

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who participated in this topic by submitting comments here as well as voting on my blog poll. I have tallied the results and my first e-Zine article will focus on ways to drive traffic to your online products. You can read more on my blog and you may even win some free wine glass charms. Thank you again and have a beautiful evening! -- Cheers! = ] Kellie Paper Cat Designs www.papercatdesigns.blogspot.com

[angelacmoore]

Greatest challenge? Finding time, without a doubt 🙂

[artful*paper*doll]

I sometimes feel that way as well and it is easy to feel overwhelmed. I will be writing an article on time management. Hope others will find it useful. Thanks for the comment. I appreciate it. :-D -- Cheers! = ] Kellie Paper Cat Designs www.papercatdesigns.blogspot.com

[cottagegardenstudios]

Kellie - great question!!! I guess for me it is two things... time and where to place my work. There are sooo many opportunities out there - some I never considered before starting on Ebay this year. I have a site to see my work and am considering doing a website - sometime the beg. of next year. I do Etsy and also do commission work. I have recently been asked to do a mural and am presently working on a business card... having trouble not spreading myself too thin. Beyond that - I have a housefull of my own children and run an inhome preschool. As family is a priority for me - it's all about balance - which is tough - lol. I have traded my full plate for a full platter. Sarah

[artful*paper*doll]

Hi Sarah! WOW! You are a busy lady! I commend you for being able to do as much as you are while keeping your family a top priority. I know what you mean about the opportunities that exist. There are so many that I never even considered until recently. Places like YouTube, MySpace, social bookmarking etc. can help get the word out and that is what I am exploring at the moment. Submitting to magazines is another good way. There are so many I could talk about here but the post would be enormous! :^O Thanks so much for your comment. Have a beautiful day! -- Cheers! = ] Kellie Paper Cat Designs www.papercatdesigns.blogspot.com

[cottagegardenstudios]

Kellie - went and looked at your blog - lovely!! Very nicely done. I'm in the middle of reconstructing mine. Love your stuff!!! Sarah

[504artstudio]

I went and looked at your blog, Kellie. Very nice work! I would have to say my biggest challenge is making time to work on art. I know for a fact that I'm not as busy as Sarah. But, everyday life can easily distract one from reaching their smaller goals. My family always comes first, then there's work, then there's dinner to be made, the house to be cleaned and laundry to be done, and the yardwork etc., etc., etc. It's enough to drive a person insane. Not enough time in a day! But for those that can't find time, try to make time. Starting tomorrow, I myself am going to set aside an hour each night to enjoy creating my artwork. Wish me luck! Julie -- "If a vision moves you...then express those feelings in your art"