Do you want to paint at an event or venue in front of an audience? There are several things to consider and prepare for before you pack up your brush and canvas and go on stage, especially if you want to succeed.
For the last 8 years I have been painting full time. Pop Art, Modern Wall Art, Abstract, Figurative, Surrealism, Stencil Art, Murals and Bonsai Geisha Art are the styles I specialize in. I started my career in San Francisco and moved to Arizona. When I first arrived in Arizona, I entered the live art scene in full force, painting live 5 nights a week in a variety of venues: concerts, nightclubs, charity events, private parties, galleries, and festivals. . During that time I learned what to do and what not to do to get the most out of my live painting experiences. Branding and marketing my art, selling my art, and enjoying my overall experience are my three main goals when doing live paintings.
As a performing artist, branding and marketing my art is really about branding and marketing myself, because my art is an extension of me. The art speaks for itself, but I quickly learned that you had to express professional demeanor to be taken seriously and succeed. The following information reveals some of the many ways to display professionalism as a performing artist.
One way is to work with professional promoters who will properly represent you and promote your art. Professional Promoters are willing to put their name and links to their website in their promotional material. When working with other professionals, you need to be aware that they also have expectations of you. So be prepared and have your business cards on hand at all times. Also make sure that all of your promotional materials, such as your press kit, websites, blogs, brochures or flyers, are in order and up to date, ready for you to review and use for promotions.
Another general rule of thumb is to check out the venue before acting there. It’s best to visit him during the time he’s performing so you can see what the atmosphere will be like. Is there adequate lighting? If you must bring your own lighting, be sure not to use too much or too little. During your pre-visit, please confirm with management where your performance area will be located. If the area is dark during the time you’ll be painting, make sure there’s an electrical outlet nearby. Pick a spot somewhere where you can be in front of onlookers, but not in a high-traffic area. Setting up near the dance floor is not suggested, especially in places where alcohol is served because people will be bumping into you throughout the night. Try to choose a place where people relax, such as a VIP area or patio. Lastly, when it comes to location, consider how much space you’ll have available and think about things like what size canvas to bring, how big your hallway is, and where you’ll put your supplies.
When I make my previous visits, I take into account who will be the sponsors of my show, then I start to think about what I will paint. You should always pre-plan the execution of your piece so that your performance looks effortless. If you’re a novice, you may need to practice painting at home beforehand to assess what supplies you’ll need, how long it will take, and/or any other unforeseen obstacles in your creation process.
I learned the hard way that who I act with can affect my success. Bottom line, if you’re working in a space with other artists, make sure they’re quality artists. If you work with unskilled or non-professional artists, people may associate you with them and devalue your service. I once worked with an artist who left paint and mess all over the place, even though I didn’t leave the mess because that would be unprofessional, I got penalized along with them, neither of us were able to paint on the place again.
Professionalism is not only established before an event but also during its performance. Be aware that from the moment you enter the coming; You’re not just painting, you’re acting. So show up early and say hello to management. Confirm that your workspace is still available; things can change from one day to the next in some cases. When setting up, please do so in an orderly manner and keep your area clear. While painting, it is not uncommon for people to approach him. Some will be potential customers and some will be drunk with nothing better to do. Refrain from drinking alcohol if it’s available, so you can keep your mind sober and focus on painting and spotting leads.
If someone wants a painting and has cash, buy it; remember that you are there to sell paintings. If they only have a portion of the cash, take the cash as a down payment, get their contact information, and plan a time to collect the remaining amount. Unfortunately, when people say they’ll be back at the end of the night or don’t have their ATM cards, you can assume they won’t be back. But on the plus side, if you paint 3-5 times a week in legitimate places, there’s no reason you can’t make a profit selling your art.
Finally, at the end of the night you want to make sure you clean your area and leave it as you found it and remember to thank management before you leave.
Live painting is a great way to earn money, make your own mark, meet new and interesting people and enjoy life. I generally only work in environments I enjoy, and it turns out that the places I like to hang out tend to cater to people who like my art. You will find that after establishing a good name for yourself through professional live art performances, people will begin to treat you like a local celebrity, your sales will increase, and you will produce an impressive body of work while having fun.
