I’ve requested a list of available works from your gallery. If you have smaller pieces or works on paper that are easier to ship (I’m in Seattle), could you email a list to me please? My email is jkcalladine@outlook.com. Thanks.
Hi Jacqueline, Thanks for your note and interest. I do have some small works on paper that are consigned to the gallery, but not on their website. I'll have them send those over to you tomorrow.
I sent you the tiniest something via PayPal. It’s rough being an artist 😔 I am currently job hunting because we just need money to live and art is too unpredictable. It’s a painful decision but hopefully one that can eventually be reversed…. I hate that we have to make these choices.
Hi Lidija, thanks so much for your donation, I truly appreciate it. I hope you’re not too put out by doing this. It’s pretty rough out there, especially now and who knows when it’ll start to turn around. I’m looking at jobs, as well, anything to keep the studio going.
No, we’re not in a terrible spot, but my partner would definitely appreciate not being the only one we rely on for income so I have to find something. It’s tricky with the feast-and-famine nature of art sales, in order to get to the feast you need to keep creating through the famine and it’s hard sometimes.
Tim, your work is soooo well made, so awesome to look at. If you’re struggling then that speaks of the dismally unrewarding (financially) situation that almost all artists face. Despite the struggle we are dedicated to the work. And I know of other high profile and well established artists who just don’t make enough profit from sales and therefore struggle. I have one idea I can reach out to you with soon. -Dan
Dan, thank you very much for your kind words about my work, I appreciate you sharing that. There are a lot of things contributing to this current situation, but mostly it's that a lot of people are holding onto their money and not buying art as much as they have been, at least at the level we're at.
I'm sure those at the "blue chip" level might be feeling a pinch, also, but many of those at that level will often have strong, deep pocketed backers of their work.
Hi Tim, I'm sorry to hear about your struggles. These are really tough times for artists. I would love to send you a small contribution, but I only have PayPal. I'm also happy to buy one of your digital art pieces.
Hi Tim. It takes courage to be vulnerable enough to reach out for help, and I hope you receive the support you need to continue doing what you love. I sent a little something your way. Hope it helps!
Rather than money, may I offer some free career/financial advice. I consulted with several creators/artists who went into business for themselves, but since they didn't view their studio as a "business", they didn't create a Business Plan. Then they were surprised when the money didn't come. A good BP requires you to answer questions like
-who is your preferred customer?
-what kind of art do they want to buy?
-how much are they willing to spend?
-how do you build a communication/marketing plan to reach large numbers of your desired customers?
-many other questions about people, resources, strategy etc.
If you haven't done a BP yet (and if you have, ignore this message!), there are many free and inexpensive software products available that will walk you through the process. It's not as much fun as making art, but it's a key element of a successful practice. I hope this is useful info in support of your work Tim.
Hi Baird, thanks for writing. Yes to me having a business plan, expense and budget tracking, etc... Sometimes, though, even the best business plans can fall flat in the face of some of the challenges facing visual artists right now. From what I'm seeing, this is another "low" that's part of an inevitable cycle of economic highs and lows artists face.
There are a lot of people holding onto their money more now partially, I believe, because of election uncertainty, inflation and probably a whole swath of other factors.
From what I'm seeing, reading and hearing across the board in the art world, people aren't buying a lot of art right now. I'm sure some of the "blue chip" artists are doing ok, but the majority of the rest of us are having to scramble to keep money coming in.
Congrats on your good business planning Tim. I agree that the way of the artist in our culture is a hard one. People value money and commodities, but the aesthetic sense is less encouraged. And there is now close to "free" music on Spotify and these "AI" programs built on stolen visual art. I see so many talented creators on Substack and I know they're struggling. Sending you my best wishes for all good fortune in your studio. 🙏🏻
I’ve requested a list of available works from your gallery. If you have smaller pieces or works on paper that are easier to ship (I’m in Seattle), could you email a list to me please? My email is jkcalladine@outlook.com. Thanks.
Hi Jacqueline, Thanks for your note and interest. I do have some small works on paper that are consigned to the gallery, but not on their website. I'll have them send those over to you tomorrow.
I sent you the tiniest something via PayPal. It’s rough being an artist 😔 I am currently job hunting because we just need money to live and art is too unpredictable. It’s a painful decision but hopefully one that can eventually be reversed…. I hate that we have to make these choices.
Hi Lidija, thanks so much for your donation, I truly appreciate it. I hope you’re not too put out by doing this. It’s pretty rough out there, especially now and who knows when it’ll start to turn around. I’m looking at jobs, as well, anything to keep the studio going.
No, we’re not in a terrible spot, but my partner would definitely appreciate not being the only one we rely on for income so I have to find something. It’s tricky with the feast-and-famine nature of art sales, in order to get to the feast you need to keep creating through the famine and it’s hard sometimes.
Tim, your work is soooo well made, so awesome to look at. If you’re struggling then that speaks of the dismally unrewarding (financially) situation that almost all artists face. Despite the struggle we are dedicated to the work. And I know of other high profile and well established artists who just don’t make enough profit from sales and therefore struggle. I have one idea I can reach out to you with soon. -Dan
Dan, thank you very much for your kind words about my work, I appreciate you sharing that. There are a lot of things contributing to this current situation, but mostly it's that a lot of people are holding onto their money and not buying art as much as they have been, at least at the level we're at.
I'm sure those at the "blue chip" level might be feeling a pinch, also, but many of those at that level will often have strong, deep pocketed backers of their work.
I look forward to talking with you, Dan!
Hi Tim, I'm sorry to hear about your struggles. These are really tough times for artists. I would love to send you a small contribution, but I only have PayPal. I'm also happy to buy one of your digital art pieces.
Hi Tugba,
Thanks for your note. offer of a contribution and for recommending my blog, it's very much appreciated!
I have PayPal, as well. I just forgot about it: @TMcFarlane.
Hi Tim. It takes courage to be vulnerable enough to reach out for help, and I hope you receive the support you need to continue doing what you love. I sent a little something your way. Hope it helps!
Hi Tim!
Rather than money, may I offer some free career/financial advice. I consulted with several creators/artists who went into business for themselves, but since they didn't view their studio as a "business", they didn't create a Business Plan. Then they were surprised when the money didn't come. A good BP requires you to answer questions like
-who is your preferred customer?
-what kind of art do they want to buy?
-how much are they willing to spend?
-how do you build a communication/marketing plan to reach large numbers of your desired customers?
-many other questions about people, resources, strategy etc.
If you haven't done a BP yet (and if you have, ignore this message!), there are many free and inexpensive software products available that will walk you through the process. It's not as much fun as making art, but it's a key element of a successful practice. I hope this is useful info in support of your work Tim.
Hi Baird, thanks for writing. Yes to me having a business plan, expense and budget tracking, etc... Sometimes, though, even the best business plans can fall flat in the face of some of the challenges facing visual artists right now. From what I'm seeing, this is another "low" that's part of an inevitable cycle of economic highs and lows artists face.
There are a lot of people holding onto their money more now partially, I believe, because of election uncertainty, inflation and probably a whole swath of other factors.
From what I'm seeing, reading and hearing across the board in the art world, people aren't buying a lot of art right now. I'm sure some of the "blue chip" artists are doing ok, but the majority of the rest of us are having to scramble to keep money coming in.
Congrats on your good business planning Tim. I agree that the way of the artist in our culture is a hard one. People value money and commodities, but the aesthetic sense is less encouraged. And there is now close to "free" music on Spotify and these "AI" programs built on stolen visual art. I see so many talented creators on Substack and I know they're struggling. Sending you my best wishes for all good fortune in your studio. 🙏🏻
We all need a little support. Sent you a little of it today.
Thanks, Jenna, I really appreciate this 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Murder the Government from Xonor.
The Police says to one another: It must be 10 of us. ;)