Why I jump from art project to art project

I understand the basic formula of making money off art. In my head (and in my experience) it goes like this:

1. Have an artistic skill that isn’t expensive to practice.

2. Be willing to talk about that skill.

3. Put a price on it, and explain its value.

4. Put the time into maintaining the quality.

5. Profit.

This is an extremely personal formula. It is based entirely off my casual art projects.

For instance: I bought a wood-burner. I bought a bulk package of hundreds of tiny wood disks. I started making them into Christmas ornaments.

Then I started talking about it. A lot. To everyone I knew. I had pictures saved and ready on my phone. I explained the process, how long it took to make each one, and how I came up with each design.

Then I could slide into the usual, “Yeah, they make great gifts! Someone just bought 10 as a corporate office gift. I offer bulk discounts, too,” etc., etc.

Usually, with this little method, I can make at least a few sales.

I can also apply the same principle to all of my other artistic ventures. Stickers, prints, portraits, paintings… you get the gist.

But why bother?

It’s pretty simple.

My time is worth a lot to me. I’m usually pretty busy. I like the things I do to be things I’m passionate about. In my case, creating an additional value of a small paycheck helps keep the passion alive.

I’ve heard other artists say, “I would never want to be an artist as a career. I’d hate to have to turn art into a job when it’s something I do for fun.”

I understand that completely. So I figured, why not do it for fun and not for a job while still putting a few extra dollars in my pocket?

I jump from project to project. If I get burned out of one venture, I put my creative energy into a different one. I switch things up and keeping it fresh, but one thing remains the same.

I get to be an artist, and I get to be creative.

I also get a little extra cash.

It’s all fine by me.