Finding joy in the 'administrative' side of an art business (and got my 'Art Print' business up & running)

Orchid 'Art Print' Series

Listen, when I originally decided to 'be a professional artist,' I had no idea what that really meant. All I knew was that an art buyer found my work on Instagram and reached out to see if I was interested in participating in an art show. I was so thrilled just to be included, but then to have work actually sell... that was really a dream come true. Imagine, someone whom I had never met, who was not a friend or family member, loved my work enough to want it in their home! It was a revelation.

10 years later, I am still creating art and am so happy every time someone I don't know buys my work but believe it or not - I still haven't really figured out how to actually run an art business, because I would rather paint than update 'alt text' on my website for SEO. The administrative side of running an art business is really challenging for me. I can't really afford to hire a professional, so I am left to figuring it out myself.

One outstanding item was always getting 'art prints' up on the website. Honestly, it's hard enough to get original art up on the site, never mind scan, run through pre-production, order and proof samples, get images and content up on the website, draft and schedule content for social... it's a lot for someone who doesn't enjoy that side of the business, has a busy highschooler in travel sports AND still has a full-time job.

But alas, if you read my previous blog, you know I found inspiration through not just scanning a piece of art and creating a print but scanning and then playing in photoshop to create new work. I can scan cyanotypes and change their color. Or add poems and text to my watercolor florals. Or combine and change the colors of my watercolor florals and then add gold paint to the print once it's done.

Finding inspiration and fun in the process was not only key for me to commit the time to do all the behind-the-scenes work needed to get prints up and running... it has been a crucial learning and realization for me. I must find inspiration & fun in all parts of my art business to actually do the work. And in reflecting on all the parts of my business, I realize I have done the same thing in other areas. Framing art and packing up art used to be a chore, but both are meditative practices for me now. I have a process for framing that has become really relaxing and enjoyable. And I love thinking about the buyer experience when they get my art in the mail, so I put effort into packaging my art beautifully and including a hand-written card.

Even optimizing my site for SEO has been more enjoyable as I reframe the administrative work that needs to be done there. I am really hopeful that this change in my own thinking will help clear some barriers to growth I have had in my business the last 2 years... either way, at least I am actually enjoying the ride.

Shop Art Prints Here!