MADART Website Original Paintings
  • Home
  • About
  • SHOP
  • Collections
    • A NeverEnding Story
    • MAD Wonderland
    • Ethereal Whimsy
    • Garden Collection
    • The Art of Freedom
    • Alaskan Collection
    • Abstract Color Studies
    • PoP of Love
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Custom Art

The New Way of Buying Art - The Internet is Where it's At

5/1/2015

4 Comments

 
When I was growing up all I ever wanted to be was an artist, that's what I told everyone, and spent much of my childhood, drawing, doodling and coloring.  But, the older I got the more reality set in, or what the reality was then, and I believed I wouldn't be able to make a decent living as an artist.  The "Starving Artist" myth certainly had left it's mark on me, and so I went off to college pursuing what I thought was going to provide me a more stable income throughout life.  

I ended up graduating from the University of Central Florida in 1999 with a Master's Degree in Political Science, initially to go to law school, and then later changed my career path to teaching.  I started out as a high school teacher, and VERY quickly realized this was NOT for me, it only took me four months and I was out, haha!  I ended up getting an editorial job in the Political Science department at UCF working with one of my former professor's on academic journals, which lasted about two years. During this time I also obtained a Florida Residential Contractor's license and helped my husband to build custom homes.  

Throughout all of these career changes I was always creating art, I started painting in acrylics and instantly fell in love with the medium and decorated our home with lot's of colorful art.  I even dabbled a little in the mural scene in the Orlando area just to be able to try something creative.  But, it didn't satisfy me artistically the same as being in my studio creating art that spoke to me and was less controlled.  In 2002 I had started to notice that some artists were beginning to have success selling their art on eBay, so I thought I would just list one of my paintings and see what happened, and what happened next changed my life forever! I listed the painting on a five day auction, and it received a little bit of interest, a couple of low ball bids, but in the last few minutes of the listing, the almighty eBay bidding war ensued and my painting sold for over $125.  I was in shock and elated that someone bought one of my original paintings, it was a rush that has propelled me ever since to continue to create and sell my art through the internet and have a more personable relationship with my collector's.  

I would list some paintings every now and then on eBay when I had the extra time, and they would always sell at auction, many times for much more than I expected.  I was Jonesing to see what would happen if I could do this full -time, but the home building business was booming and I couldn't fully devote myself to my art career, but I was finally starting to believe that it may really be possible to make a living as an artist, turn my passion and dreams into a reality.  It wasn't until late 2007, after we sold the construction business and moved to Alaska, that I was finally able to dive into a full time art career and it turned out to be everything I had hope it would be.  I was able to paint for most of the day and spent the rest of the time listing on eBay and packaging up original paintings and prints to ship around the world.  Truly a dream come true!

To this day, the majority of my art business is still centered around the internet where I sell my originals and limited edition prints and my licensing partners, numbering close to 30, sell on the internet and direct to retailers that sell on and offline. When used properly the internet can be a wonderful opportunity to advance your art career and connect one on one with art collector's.  There are so many different avenues to selling your art, but the key is visibility, I cannot emphasize that enough! The internet has millions of pieces of art for sale in one form or another, it takes a lot of work and effort to be found, but with consistency and hard work you can do it and be a successful artist making a very good living, I am proof positive, and will continue to look for opportunities and expand the reach of my artwork.  I will have to create a blog post soon about some of the ways you can create that visibility as an artist, so stay tuned!
Picture
"Whispers in the Wind"© ~ 2004
4 Comments
Celeste
5/1/2015 03:12:32 am

Thanks for sharing your journey! I am a full time teacher, and although I have sold almost all my paintings (about 100 or so), I haven't painted in almost two years because of time.... This was inspiring!

Reply
Megan Duncanson link
5/1/2015 05:35:54 am

I'm so glad this was helpful Celsete! That's what I wanted to share was that we all have a different journey, but can achieve our goals and dreams, never give up on your art goals!!

All the best,
Megan

Reply
Shiela
5/1/2015 02:51:12 pm

Thanx for sharing your story Megan, I love hearing about how artists have been able to become successful. You say visibilty is key... in regards to the print companies, did they see your work online and then contact you to ask if you would sell prints with them, or did you have to introduce yourself to the companies? Or both? Thanx! :)

Reply
Megan Duncanson link
5/4/2015 04:36:27 am

Thank you for commenting Shiela :)

For the print companies and licensing/manufacturing companies I work with, it's a combination of me seeking them out and some of them finding me. It's always good to put yourself out their by posting on your own website or other websites so you CAN be found, but you also have to actively seek out opportunities. And, if your art is visible online and you contact a company to work with them, they will search for your name and if you have great visibility that helps to show you are serious about your art.

Reply



Leave a Reply.


    Picture

    Follow

    Categories

    All
    Alaska
    A Neverending Story
    Coloring
    Conservation Art
    Cycling Life
    MADART
    MAD Warrior
    Stickers

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    September 2019
    August 2018
    July 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014


Color Your Life Bright with Art for the Soul™
info@madartdesigns.com
Copyright 2021  Megan Aroon Duncanson (MADART Studios™) 
Copyright Protected, All rights reserved, EVERY image of artwork created by Megan Aroon Duncanson on this website is copyright protected, please do not use in any way shape or form without express written permission from Megan Aroon Duncanson
 Original Art & Artwork  ~  Florida ~ Alaska Artist
About
News

Picture
  • Home
  • About
  • SHOP
  • Collections
    • A NeverEnding Story
    • MAD Wonderland
    • Ethereal Whimsy
    • Garden Collection
    • The Art of Freedom
    • Alaskan Collection
    • Abstract Color Studies
    • PoP of Love
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Custom Art