Reddit reviews How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist: Selling Yourself without Selling Your Soul (Seventh Edition)

Professional studio artist here, maybe I can help.

Here's a good place to start.

Start looking around for local fairs, bazaars and shows in community bulletins and similar publications (often these are associated with whoever provides your local community education programs) so you can pick up a booth and put on a mini-show. Regularly search for local/state/federal RFQs and design contests. If you have a local university/community college, start making regular visits to the art department to hang out and pick up the gossip and see whatever broadsides or fliers have been posted. Where I'm at there is a program called "Gallery Stroll" where all the art galleries downtown extend their hours and provide snacks to make sure the general public can come see what they have to offer. It's a good time to hobnob, network, and generally get to know people in the industry, so see if your area has something similar on offer. The more people who know you, the more likely you are to pick up commissions.

Put together a "me in 30 seconds" artist statement so you can tell people about your best selling points really quickly when someone says "tell me about yourself." Mine goes something like

>I am an artist who accepts commissions. I am accomplished in portraiture and landscapes, but I specialize in abstract expressionism, monuments and large installations.

>I create objects and areas that generate emotion.

>I have a BFA from <University> and over thirty-five years' experience in creative expression. I am represented in several private collections throughout <local areas> and am on permanent display at <Universtity>. I have excellent design skills and a deep understanding of the emotions behind color. When you need art, I'm the guy to think of."

Otherwise, get your portfolio together, get a decent professional looking website together, and start the online networking (linkedin, etc.).

Know what your time, effort, materials, and education are worth; stay away from those stupid sites where people try to get you to sell yourself for cheap. Very rarely does anything good come from those idiots who try to get you do do stuff "for the exposure." Required watching for everyone who works in the creative industries.

Remember: in this business, inspiration is the child of perspiration. If you're not doing any work, you won't be inspired.

Good luck, my friend!