Career & Business
Supplementing Your Fine Art Income By Working From Home
By Frank Bruno, Artist and Career Coach
Contibuting Editor, Manhattan Arts International Ezine
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Besides the regular types of employment that many fine artists seek to supplement their income, there are many avenues an artist could take to offer services to the public. Many of my fine art friends work from their homes in either full or part time situations. For example, one of my closest friends offers framing as she takes measurements of the art and sends away to another vendor for custom cut frames, mats and glass for her to then piece together the finished picture. Her profit is more than satisfactory. Another friend started a clay studio from his outside garage, received permission from his township to gain signage out front for promotion, and proceeded to sell his wares from his makeshift studio. He still has ample time to do his fine art exhibiting and marketing.
My own story is that I have been teaching fine art drawing and painting classes from the studio basement of our bi-level home. I have a commercial art background of 20 years beginning in 1980 to New Years Eve 1999, when I finally quit that 8 to 5 job to allow more time to pursue my fine art. I still needed the weekly paycheck, as the income from fine art proved lucrative but not steady enough at that time. I taught evening art classes at many nearby schools while I was a commercial artists and also presented Art Marketing seminars to emerging artists but I needed something more stable. After teaching those art classes at six different locations, I developed a strong connection with many students. They agreed to follow me when I decided to move the classroom to my home. So for almost seven years I've acquired a following of 34 full time students plus 3 that come twice a month. I work seven days a week and average at least six classes per day. I teach more classes during the summer months when I advertise through inexpensive local church bulletins for children's art classes.
 Frank Bruno, "Angled Grades."
If you are contemplating getting started on a home business endeavor, I offer these tips:
• Although most home businesses don't require a license, make sure you qualify for the responsibilities related to your services.
• Think out any and all scenarios to assure yourself of being able to handle the business from every angle.
• Prepare a thorough business plan involving expenses, advertising, time schedule and other criteria.
• Plan for growth. Consider the possibility of expanding and other factors to deal with this, including hiring assistants.
• Do some market research. Some home businesses only survive a short time depending on the demand for the services. Make sure that your product or service can be regarded as something the public needs or wants. Make sure you're the exclusive provider of this in your area (of a ten mile radius or so).
• Have a plan "B". Be prepared to make flexible adjustments to what you already have or be ready to shift gears into another resource in case your first idea fails to measure up. Finding a supplementary income within your scope of interest and skills is very fulfilling. To me, the balance of teaching and creating art is very rewarding.
Frank is available for consultations and coaching. You may email Frank at frank-bruno@comcast.net and visit his website at www.artistfrankbruno.com
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Frank Bruno is one of the editorial contributors to the book Presentation Power Tools for Fine Artists, Revised Third Edition by Renée Phillips, published by Manhattan Arts International. In addition to a sample gallery proposal by Frank Bruno the book also contains sample presentation materials, gallery agreements, artist's statements, resumes, biographies, business letters, press releases and more.
Learn more about the book.
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