I talked in my last post about wanting to be more free in my art, more playful. I think I accomplished that a few days later when I began working on a bigger version of the prickly pear painting. I worked day and night, totally absorbed in the beauty and electricity of these colors!

Something about the art I saw in Santa Fe helped me process what I had been doing in my series of six-inch-by-six-inch paintings of Texas landscapes and critters. I realized that I had the skills to go bigger, and that it was time to let go of the constraints I had placed on myself when I picked up painting again.

I’ve been working hard and have learned A LOT about what it is to be a full-time artist in Austin. I know that there is still so much more to learn, and no one has the answer. There just isn’t a right way to do this. But I love a challenge and learning new skills, and I’m finding the process rewarding.

My most recent victory: finally getting a good camera and figuring out how to photograph my art.

There’s a lot of information out there about how to take quality photos of art, and I found this page from the University of Colorado Boulder to be the most helpful and simple.

Just look at the difference a good camera makes:

I’m currently photographing all the art I’ve made over the past few years so that I have a good record of it before selling. This 11″x14″ painting of a grackle was made last year.

Another unexpected victory: stumbling upon art grants offered by the city of Austin. I haven’t applied yet, but there are two that I’m interested in.

The Capacity Building Program offers up to $1,000 for artists to take classes, attend workshops, purchase software, or pay for a membership with a professional organization.

The Community Initiatives Program helps artists partner with non-profits to fund public events like performances or exhibitions.

If you are at all interested in either of these programs, I encourage you to visit the Cultural Arts Economic Development Department during their open office hours, 2nd & 4th Tuesdays from 9am to noon at 201 E 2nd Street. Their website is pretty confusing but you’ll find that the people who work there are very helpful in person. They want to find artists who will use this money!

…and I really need to apply!

UPDATE:

I was awarded a Capacity Building grant and will be taking three classes and three workshops starting in mid-January! Applying was easy and approval was fast (I think it was less than two weeks). I highly recommend applying to this program if you are even thinking about taking classes or purchasing a new piece of equipment.

I’ve discovered some additional resources in the last few months as well:

Texas Accountants And Lawyers For The Arts offers pro bono and discounted services to artists. They also host free workshops to answer important questions like how to register for quarterly taxes (a necessity for the self-employed).

If you purchase items for your work that are resold (like a frame on a painting) you can avoid paying state sales tax by bringing a Resale Certificate to the store. You’ll be collecting a state sales tax on the frame when you sell it as part of your painting, so there is no need to pay it twice.

If you are in Austin, check out the Dougherty Arts Center for free classes and events that bring artists together. They are currently offering monthly professional development classes which cover things like taxes, social media, photographing your work, and putting together a portfolio.

This new year seems to be brimming with possibility. There is so much help out there once you know where to look for it.

More helpful links:

Big Medium has recently started up a series of professional development workshops in Austin.

GYST: Making Life Better For Artists, has many helpful articles.

SAATCHI Art also has an abundance of articles.

And a helpful, quick article on pricing art.