Expert: Gianina L. - 11/11/2006

Question
I am a university student, studying physics. I have a job on campus so it will not be available to me when I go back home during the holidays. Therefore over the summer holiday of about 2 and half months I will need to find a job and save up a little money for the next year. However the only jobs open to me along that line are those in shops etc and I hate working full time in those sorts of places. I won't need to earn a lot of money, just enough to get me through the holidays whilst living at my parents and give me a couple of hundred pounds left over for the next university year. I am able to paint with oils and acrylics on canvas and have painted a few paintings already. I have my own room at home set aside for painting. However, I have had no training other the an A at GCSE on Fine Art and what I have read, but I know a lot about artists and art movements and am very passionate about art. I have been offered £60 once for one of my paintings.
Do you think that it is at all viable that over the summer holiday I might be able to paint and sell paintings to earn a bit of money for myself instead? I could paint in the Christmas and Easter holidays as well (each a month long) to build up a collection ready for the summer. If so, how would I go about setting up a place to sell them? I live near a shopping centre in which a few people often set up art stools, do you know if that's a good idea? Being an artist is not a long term goal, but it is a talent of mine and I really enjoy it so if I could make use of it then I would like to. I just have no idea if I could, i it would be financially viable, and how to go about doing it. Please help?


Answer
Dear Hannah,

Physics and art, what a wonderful combination! I just happen to be a bit of a science fan myself! I think your interest and talent with art and the fact that you've been offered money for a painting is wonderful, and if you really enjoy it, then what's the harm of trying to use this as a temporary source of income. You can't know until you try it, right?

The nearby shopping centre sounds like a good starting place. Pick a day and just go and observe. Don't be afraid to maybe politely approach another artist to ask about how they enjoy painting in this location and to try to learn a little bit more about area artists. Also, check around your city. Here, we have galleries and even small coffee shops that will display work for sale. We also have art fairs where artists set up a number of paintings and just sell them to the public. Research your city and try to uncover all the resources. Also, don't forget to use your network of people. If someone has already offered you money, ask if they know anyone else interested in purchasing. Ask your friends and your family. Do not be afraid to use those as a resource.

I hope this helps to at least get you started. Good luck!
Sincerely,
Gianina