My Facebook feed this morning looks something like this: art, pandemic report, art, scripture meme, art, “don’t worry if you just lost your job you can make money now online”, art, meme...

Let’s just say it’s a really “convenient” time for people to be trying to sell courses and webinars on how to make money online... be wise, act with intention, not desperation and realize there is NO EASY WAY to make “quick money” on the internet.

Online businesses in any industry - now more than ever - require rapport, connection, and relationship. Anybody can teach you tools... there are tons out there. I teach them every day. The key is building connection with your audience.

Now is the time to care for your audience, clients, family and friends. Yes learn, grow and invest in yourself during this time, create art, build your inventory, spend time listening with the Lord but don’t be fooled by promises of quick, easy results just because it’s “online”. There is no silver bullet.

There are, however 7 things every Christian artist can do right now, even in this crazy season of pandemic, to thrive. Here they are:

1. Be in Faith: The only way to weather a storm like the Coronavirus Pandemic (or any other difficult situation for that matter) is to continue to be in faith. Yes, it's ok to feel emotion and even have a meltdown from time to time. David did that all throughout the Psalms. But make sure the trajectory of your emotional, mental and spiritual life is pointed toward faith; faith in God, His Word, His plans for You and His promises toward you.  These are the only lasting things that make a real difference.
   
   
2. Be in the Studio: Everyone is quarantined and being forced to be alone... and artists ask "So, what's new?" Yes, we're pretty used to working alone in our studio or at home. Why should this be any different? Use this time to create, write, dream, organize, clean and do what you do as an artist. You've never had a better chance to have some focused solitude for creating!
   
   
3. Be Investing: As you are in the studio and having some extra time for solitude, invest in yourself. Learn a new skill. Practice some techniques you've been wanting to master. Take an online course or two. Read some books. We're always looking for those open places in our schedule for self-development. Now is the time. Don't let the opportunity go to waste.
   
   
4. Be Online: There has never, ever been a better time to be online as an artist than right now. Whether or not you're at home or in your studio, most of us have an internet connection and a smartphone that allows us to literally touch the world with what we do. As you're creating, go live on Instagram or Facebook. Talk about your process. Share your latest work. Have an online sale or auction. Interview other artist friends who are doing interesting things. Use this opportunity of seclusion to be interesting and connect with your audience. It will eventually pay off in referrals and sales as we return to normalcy.
   
   
5. Be in Contact: The simple act of reaching out during times of uncertainty builds huge relational equity and the desire for reciprocity. Plus, it's just the right thing to do. Everything in business is about relationship, so take the time to pick up the phone, skype, zoom, facetime, email or message people in your world. Yes, I'm talking about your clients, your gallery owners, strategic partners, suppliers, show promoters and the like. Many people are completely filled with fear right now and your voice of encouragement will mean a HUGE deal to them in the short and longrun.
   
   
6. Be Wise: Anytime catastrophe strikes, many people tend to react out of fear and make reactionary pivots in their life and business out of a survival mode. Again, you have to realize that God has you in the palm of His hand. You can either try to figure things out on your own or listen to His voice and proceed intentionally, with wisdom. Changing your whole business model in the middle of a panic is probably not the best idea.  Know your vulnerabilities, lean into your strengths and double down on the basics of your business: making great work, connecting with your clients and partners.  If you are forced to make some hard decisions quickly, make sure you reach out for Godly counsel from experienced people you trust.
   ​
7. Be Together: Even though we can't all be together right now because of this worldwide pandemic, there's still huge opportunities to build community. For example, our Created to Thrive Mentoring Program has 66 small group leaders who are hosting small groups online twice a month. This is normal for us but right now, it's crucial to stay connected. You can do the same kind of thing through Skype, Google Hangouts, Facebook and Zoom.  Don't hibernate. Reach out and connect with your friends and loved ones. Create together. Laugh together. It makes a difference.

My friend, the world has changed in the last few weeks but take heart; God wasn't taken by surprise!  Yes, be careful who you listen to and remember the same dreams God out in your heart a few weeks ago are the same ones he’s going to bring to completion as He leads you. Yes, it may look differently than you think but he's going to work all things together for your good. I promise!

All artists, especially Christian artists want to know how to sell their art! I mean come on, without selling your art most artists don't have the ability (or space) to keep making their work unless of course they have another income stream that funds their "art habit". 

So after making and selling a lot of art over the years I've come to the understanding that there are essentially 2 primary ways to sell your artwork as an artist:

• You sell it directly to your clients or
• You pay someone else to sell it for you ie: gallery, designer, strategic partner, referrals

Regardless, SOMEONE has to:

• develop relationships with potential clients
• offer the work in a desirable way
• respond to market trends in aesthetics & presentation
• price the work in a way that's competitive and profitable
• complete the transactions
• deliver or ship the work and potentially install

If you're the kind of artist who only wants to make work in the studio and not deal with marketing/sales, then you must find a good gallery or broker to represent you. Realize this costs - usually 50% of your retail price. However, they are doing most of the work to sell your art. Hoping your work will sell, doing social media only or simply putting your art on one of the hundreds of art websites online is NOT a strategy.

If you're the kind of artist who enjoys selling direct to your clients, then realize you are equally an artist and an entrepreneur. You'll need to develop a marketing strategy with multiple outlets, testing and measuring results as you go. There's no silver bullet. Without cultivating both sides of the equation - being both artist and entrepreneur - you'll live in constant frustration.

Or of course... a combination of both ie: selling direct and utilizing galleries, partners, etc. Over time, you'll discover a combination that works best for you, your personality and your profitability.

I’ve encountered many artists over the years who really struggle with stepping into thriving because they don’t understand one foundational concept: convergence. Thriving isn’t simply doing one or two things well, but rather doing the right things well at the same time, over time. Although that might seem like a juggling act – and it can feel that way some times – it’s not as out of reach as you think.
 
Here’s what typically happens with artists. They get two out of the three areas but forgetting that third, continue to struggle. For example, artists who are great artistically and have a strong spiritual connection end up having only a hobby or ministry because they don’t pursue the development of their art business. Artists who are great artistically and have a strong business sense often flourish in the marketplace with their sales but sometimes lack a deep spiritual connection and sense of life in their art practice. Then there’s artists who are deeply connected spiritually and have built a business but their artwork is lacking, leading to immature work and frustration.
 
For artists who want to pursue their art in the marketplace in the context of their relationship with God, thriving happens when they are growing artistically, spiritually and in their businesses. Each feeds the other and provides momentum for the journey. This place of convergence is what I call your “sweet spot” and it should be a goal for every artist who wants to thrive spiritually, artistically and financially.
 
This place of convergence is the focus of my artist mentoring program, Created to Thrive. Click here for more information on how to be a part.

I was talking to a friend the other day who happens to be quite an accomplished artist and a real spiritual father to many creatives around the world. We were chatting about our mutual passion to help artists thrive and, knowing I work with many hobbyist and emerging artists, posed the following question:

"How do you tell someone who is mediocre and not really called (or ready) to make his living with his art (simply because it will never sell) that perhaps God gave you the passion for art just to enjoy and glorify Him with, but it is not your calling to make it your financial sustenance?"

It's a great question and I'm sure the reason no one talks much about it is because it can be a really sensitive issue for the artist... No one wants to have that hard conversation with an artist who's thinking they are ready to take on the world when in reality, they are still stumbling around with the basics. And then sometimes, there are those really hard cases that almost seem like the American Idol auditions where someone thinks they are God's gift to art when in reality, there's not much there but desire and belief.

As I've thought about it, I hope these ideas will help you navigate your own artistic calling and season in that journey.

1. Everyone Starts Creating As A Hobby
   No artist in the world ever started out as a pro. Everyone starts creating art because of a passion to create, to respond, to reflect what's going on in their own heart with the tools and techniques of their chosen creative medium.  And unless you continue to cultivate that deep connection and love for creating over time, you'll become a burned out replicator of yesterday's inspiration. Creating as a hobby is valid, important and a worthy pursuit artistically, personally and as an act of spiritual devotion with the Lord.
   
   
2. Everyone Can Use Creative Expression for Personal Enjoyment
   Most people start creating art because they love it. They find the process and the product to be enjoyable, fulfilling and that my friend is enough in itself! You could create for a lifetime in the context of your own personal enjoyment and be completely happy in your artistic pursuits. And in fact, if at any point you're creating and not enjoying it, you should stop, take a deep breath and ask some hard questions about where things took a wrong turn. Enjoying the process is core to why we all create.
   
   
3. God Is Glorified through the Process of Creating
   The first way humanity is introduced to God in the Bible is as artist. Then, the story progresses to reveal an artist-father who creates His man and woman, inviting them into the creative process with Him. We are His image bearers in the earth and we reflect the nature of our Creative God when we participate in the art making process. That alone is enough justification to create a whole life long because God is most glorified when we fulfill the design He formed in us.
   
   
4. Selling Your Work Doesn't Validate Your Creativity
   Your creative process is valid, important and worthy because it's a gift from God and a way to connect with and reflect His nature. If you never sell a piece of your work, it doesn't mean that somehow your creativity was less. It simply means you chose not to take it in that direction.  For many artists who sell their work, including me, it's a wonderful encouragement that others love what I do but it doesn't define me or my enjoyment of the process. I created for many years before I ever sold any of my work and if all the sales stopped tomorrow, you would still find me out in the woods doing what I love... creating.
   
   
5. Maturing as an Artist is an Intentional Process
   For most artists who sell their work, it's been an intentional act of maturing both artistically, spiritually and in business. Frankly, it takes years to develop that maturity and there's no way to short cut the process. It's a day-by-day pursuit of creative excellence, spiritual connection and understanding how to market and sell your work. Just because you can sell really well doesn't mean your work is worth selling and just because you're not selling a lot right now doesn't mean your work isn't worthy. It just means you're in process and you have to stay in process until all those variables start to work together as one. You can mature but you have to realize it's an intentional process. (That's what we do in my Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program... help artists bring it all together and grow in maturity.)
   
   
6. Selling Art for a Living Isn't for the Faint of Heart
   I have never been more fulfilled in my life than since 2009 when I started creating and selling my artwork for a living but believe me, I work hard... really hard. Before that, I made my living as a worship leader and even owned a marketing company in Atlanta for several years. Trust me when I say I know a little something about making a living as a creative. However, when you move from hobbyist - someone who's doing your art for fun - to someone who's creating as a way to make your living, it's a completely different ballgame. You now have to work both on your art and in your business because you're an entrepreneur and an artist. Unless you're ready to embrace both sides of that equation, empowered by the Holy Spirit, you're in for a rude awakening.  You can learn to do both and when you're called to it, there's grace for both but realize it takes grit, faith and focus to succeed.
   
   
7. Watch for Signposts of Favor
   If you are intentionally growing in maturity artistically, spiritually and in business, wanting to sell your work on a larger stage then you have to keep your eyes out for signposts of favor. I've just learned over the years, when it's God's time for you to be promoted in the marketplace, no devil in hell can stop you. And at the same time, when it's not your time yet, nothing you can do will open any door that God still has closed. Recognizing the season you're in and following the favor in your life is key for every artist.  When the time is right, the relationships, resources and connections you need to succeed will be there. Until then, be faithful with what's in your hand. Bloom where you're planted. Be faithful with little and God will make you ruler over much.
   
   
8. Believe in Yourself but Receive Critical Feedback
   If there's a life message in my, it's about helping others to agree with who God's called them to be, not to be bound by fear but stand in strength. That's foundational for all believers because no fear-laden, shame-filled artist is ever going to thrive as God intended. However, it's VITAL that you have a clear view of where you are in the journey, especially from an artistic perspective. Just because your work isn't good enough to sell or be really marketable right now doesn't mean you're no good, God doesn't love you or that the world is over. It just means you either have a wonderful opportunity to continue enjoying your work as a hobby OR you have a lot of work to do in order to mature your work to a place where it's salable. That's just the bottom line. Please don't think, however that just because you love creating and even feel called to create professionally that you're immediately ready to do so in a full-time capacity. If you're serious about really knowing where you are in this process, pray for God to bring someone in your life who will shoot straight with you. And when He does, listen.
   
   
9. Don't Try to Force It
   Anytime you're moving with the Lord, you should be feeling forward momentum. You should know you're on the right track, moving in the right direction. If you don't, I'd encourage you to stop and say "Ok, what's going on Father? Have I made a wrong turn, made some wrong assumptions or am I pursuing a direction that's not you?" This is so important.  Where God leads and guides, there is favor and grace, authority and opportunity. If you're not feeling any of those things, it's important to take time to get clear before going any further. If you don't, you'll end up birthing something you have to sustain in your own strength.
   
   
10. It's a Process
    None of us finish where we start. Life is a process and be assured, your artistic journey is as well!  If you believe God's plan for your life is to eventually be creating your art and selling it then that's awesome! Don't ever give up on that dream. Just be realistic about where you are in that process, what needs to happen next and who's going to help you get there.  I'm passionate about that process and if that's you, I'd encourage you to check out my Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program. It's for any artist in any medium and in any stage of their artistic journey. 
    ​

Please comment below and let me know your thoughts! Also, for more on this topic, check out my article: Considering Art as Spiritual Experience, Hobby & Vocation.

First of all, this is a huge question but surprisingly simple. It's simple because it has to be based on you, the artist.  How do you like to sell your art?  I've found over the years, there are basically two ways to sell your art: direct to the customer or through a strategic partner (or, I admit it... a combination of both). It's really important to understand which strategy is most effective for you when you're asking how to sell art.

When I first started asking how to sell art, I did what most artists do and looked to others who I saw being successful and modeled them. Unfortunately for me, their model didn't work for me. Many of the artists I knew were introverts who enjoyed mostly making in their studio rather than interacting with the public. Consequently, they had adopted a wholesale methodology which required them to make production items, sell at a 50% discount, sell through stores and galleries, and never have any interaction with their end user.  For me, as an extroverted people person, that was very unfulfilling.  When I made beautiful work and faced the reality of packing it up and shipping it off to a gallery far far away, that gave me no emotional payoff, which for me is an important part of being an artist. I love hearing people say "Oh my gosh, that is so beautiful! I love it!" Without that, I was missing something huge!

The other methodology I saw most artists doing included doing as many retail craft and art shows as possible. They seemed to live on the road. In the summers, they were in the mountains and in the winter, they all headed to Florida. Always on the road, always staying in hotels or travel trailers. Again, not my idea of a beautiful artistic life.

For me, I chose to pursue selling my art through a public studio in Asheville's River Arts District, a collection of over 200 artists in 23 old warehouse buildings in Asheville, North Carolina.  It's a mecca for artists and art lovers, as well as wealthy retirees who like to incorporate local art into their homes.  I get to make, sell and interact all out of my studio. I deliver most of my commissioned works and I get a high level of interaction with my clients. We build relationships. They visit the studio with friends and for me, that's huge!

So what's the bottom line?  You have to determine how to sell art for yourself based on how your wired, what you're creating and the life you want.  Without being clear about those questions, you'll end up really frustrated.  If you're going to be an artist, you want to do so while living a beautiful, creative and fulfilled life.

Now you understand why these two questions go together.  How you sell art ends up determining where you sell your art. There's no cookie cutter plan that works for everyone.  As you consider where to sell your art, make sure you craft a strategy that fits how you like to create, sell and live life. The artist life is not just about cranking out product, but about authentically creating your work, connecting with others who love what you do and making a profit.

That being said, here are some of my best recommendations:

Where to Sell Your Art For Artists Who Want to Sell Direct To Clients:

• Retail art & fine craft shows in your region (and nationally) that have a track record of attracting your ideal client
• Open Studio where people can see where, how and what you create
• Through Your Website & Social Media
• Through friends and family recommendations
• Personal recommendations from clients
• Home Parties & Trunk Shows
• Private clubs & organizations who connect with what and how you create
• Strategic Partnerships with people who are in front of your ideal client but don't directly compete with you ie: interior designers, builders, architects, hotels, etc.
  
  

Where to Sell Your Art For Artists Who Want to Sell Wholesale:

• National art & fine craft wholesale shows
• Museum Shows & Exhibitions
• Local, Regional & National Galleries & Stores
• Strategic partners who want to represent your work
• Guilds & Marketing Co-ops in your area

We talk about these issues every day in my Created to Thrive Artist Mentorship Program and over the last year, I've created several in-depth teaching videos on this subject based on my own experience and the experience of ​hundreds of artists I've helped over the years.  Find out more about becoming a part of my artist mentorship program here.

Also, let me know what's working for you! Comment below and let's keep the conversation going.

Get my Free 9-Page PDF "Sell Your Art & Make Money Quick". It's packed with over 60 different proven strategies for selling your art in any market.

Since I have the great honor of working with hundreds of Christian artists in my artist mentorship program, I'm always getting questions.  One of the most common questions I get from newbies is "what can I do right now to start thriving?" Here's 12 things you can do right now to start thriving as a Christian artist:

1. Just show up & do the work
There’s just no substitute. It’s been said it takes 10,000 hours to become a master at your chosen artistic medium. So whether you’re a painter or metal artist, potter or basket maker you’re going to need to put in some serious studio time. The beautiful thing about it is that for the artist, the process of being in the studio can be the reward. Yes, we’re all after fantastic art that we can sell and make a living from, but for the artist, the magic of creativity happens long before the sale happens. It happens when we walk in the studio, turn on the music, prepare our materials and just get in the zone.

2. Push through the ugly
Many Christian artists I’ve ever known, including myself goes through periods of creating crap. Sometimes its for a week, or months or a year or sometimes it’s in every piece. If you stop in the ugly phase, you’ll never get through to the place of creative resolve and resolution. Keep pressing, reworking, walking away and returning until you know that you know it is finished.

3. Encourage yourself and silence your inner critic
The voice of the inner critic will never go away by itself or by wishing it would stop. The voice must be silenced by a greater voice; the darkness pierced by the purity of light. The dominant inner narrative in your soul can be guided, not by your emotions but by your choices. Who are you and what do you want? Practice some creative visualization, create a treasure map, journal your personal and creative affirmations daily and listen as the critic is silenced.

4. Take time to rest and renew
It’s been said that creativity happens best on the edge of order and chaos. That being said, we can’t live 100% of the time in that tension. You need time to reflect, rest and renew your physical body and your inner life so that fresh ideas can clearly come to and through you. This is not a luxury for the artist, it is essential.

5. Fill your imagination
When it’s time to create, artists create from the heart. And we go inside our imagination to draw upon the inspiration and understanding that lies within. If we’ve not invited the Holy Spirit into our creative process and intentionally filled our imagination with inspiration, then the work becomes mundane; studio time only makes us  and our experience in creative bored and anxious. What exhilarates your spirit? What makes you stand in awe and wonder? Movies? Music? Sculpture? Great art or theatre? Whatever feeds your inner life should be on your regular menu."

6. Don’t eat seed
Over the years I’ve found that emerging artists have one main question they are always asking: “How do I make money with my art?” The better question is how can I keep the money I’m making with my art. Becoming a successful Christian artist for most people is able building a bridge to a dream; transitioning from a 9 to 5 job or even beginning to sell your work to the public for the first time. Regardless, all of that takes money. I always encourage artists to take the money that’s coming in initially from selling or teaching and put it away in your business envelope. That way, when a big show, marketing need or other opportunity comes along and you need capital to invest, you have it. Money invested at the right time in your business can be valuable seed to produce the harvest of success you desire.

7. Create what you love
We’ve all done it. You sell a couple of pieces that are similar and you start thinking “If I make 1000 of these, I’d be a gagillionaire... so I better get to work!” Only to find out that at the next show, you only sell a grand total of zero. While we must always keep an eye on what’s selling and what our clients are genuinely responding to at the end of the day, we must make what we love. Otherwise, we become robotic craftsmen just replicating patterns with wrote skill instead of creating out of the place of inspiration and passion. Create what you love and trust the money and opportunities to follow.

Fulfill Your Calling as a Christian Artist!
Connect with a Community of Thriving Artists
MAKE THIS YEAR YOUR BREAKTHROUGH YEAR... Find out how here

8. Reach up and reach back
None of us have gotten where we are in life without those special people God placed in our life at the right place and time to teach us, lead us, guide us and inspire us to go to the next level. No matter where you are in your creative journey, you can do the same for someone else by reaching out in genuine relationship. In addition, there’s always someone who’s further along than you are in whatever creative endeavor you find yourself. Continue to purposely reach up to them as well and become a river of inspiration; both receiving and giving the abundance that’s flowing through you.

9. Tell your story
Art is not a commodity. No one buys great art or fine craft because it was the cheapest or it was on sale. People buy fine art and fine craft because they desire connection; connection with the maker, the process, the materials and ultimately their own human experience. Your personal creative story is a huge part of that because when people connect to you they connect to your work. It’s no longer just a basket, mug or painting, but rather a reflection of the story of the maker who poured their heart and soul into the piece. Art becomes like ancient cairns, pointing the way and commemorating significance in the journey.

10. Dream Your Dreams
Most Christian artists I’ve met over the years are so completely overwhelmed with where they are right now – creatively, relationally, financially – that they’ve lost their ability to dream and imagine outside of their current life experience. What happened to the kid on the playground who believed he could climb to the top of the highest tree on the mountain? What happened to the little girl who wanted to be a famous fashion designer in New York City? I’ll tell you what happened. Life happened, they got bogged down in the details and lost their dreamer. Without dreaming and imagination, we become robotic manufactures of commodities. With dreams, desire and imagination become artists who allow all of life to converge in the studio where we create beautiful objects that help others to live with wonder.

11. Say No to the Wrong things and Yes to the Right
You’re an artist, yes, but you’re also an entrepreneur, shipping department, marketing department and custodial staff in addition to whatever personal and civic obligations that may find their way into your life. If you say yes to everything, you allow everyone else’s emergencies, priorities and passions take precedence over yours. Design your life. Dream your dreams. Create what you love. Life a beautiful life with beautiful people and allow your priorities to be the measuring stick for everything else you allow into your life. That’s not selfish, it’s healthy.

12. Connect to Your Source
If you’ve been an artist for very long, you realize that your creative gift is not your own or even the result of all your own hard work. Pure and simple it’s a gift from the Creator and we simply have the incredible opportunity to collaborate with that Creators process, inspiration and gifts in order to reflect His beauty. Without that connection we die creatively because we cut off the source of our inspiration. With that connection, we go further than we ever could on our own good ideas and hard work. With that connection, we simply lean into the process of creative collaboration that’s already been designed especially for us. With that connection, we always prosper because that’s the design of the Creator. 

Don't let another year go by without stepping into your creative calling!
This year can be your breakthrough year! Find out how...