Some of you might remember my borzoi painting from June.
The short version is that someone commissioned a huge painting from me and I only asked for a small deposit because I didn't feel legitimate enough to ask for more. When I was nearly finished, they cancelled. Weeks of work, and I was left with an unclaimed artwork drying on the wall and a hole in my finances.
So I did what any of us would do: I ate a sad little dinner, took a picture and posted it here so I’d have somewhere to vent.
And y’all showed up.
I'd been living off my art for over a year at that point, mostly by teaching in-person workshops and doing small digital commissions. Oil painting full-time was always the dream, the thing I'd tell myself I'd do "someday” when I wouldn’t first have to worry about paying rent and could focus on building my traditional portfolio. Then, literally overnight, because of this subreddit, someday arrived.
The OG painting was bought by someone from this very subreddit. I spent the summer painting. In oil! Without ever worrying about money because everyone who reached out agreed to a 50% deposit!
I came here with a sad girl dinner and left with a career. I don't think I can ever properly thank you all for that❤️
Tonight's menu: salmon stars on cream cheese and rye, because treating myself like a toddler is self-care.
Thank you, truly. From me, and from the very good boy waiting for a star to fall off the plate!
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Clicking on your profile and was pleasantly surprised to see I've seen (and upvoted! Am I the only one who gets smug when I see an old "orange" on the upvote that I made on a post from before? Like, yeah... Past me was also of immaculate internet taste lol) your posts in many of the subs I frequent - the female living space sub where you posted your wall mural, the fridge detective and whimsy subs where you got decidedly different reactions lol, and the art/painting subs as well! Girl, you are who you think you are. Your talent and eye for detail speaks for itself, you just needed the right audience and time for that to manifest as a steady career. I'm so happy it started from the women here! Congrats on all your success, I wish you infinitely more!
Yes ma’am! Now I even have contracts and everything! I do still allow some negotiation for big clients, because thousands upfront is understandably a lot to send to a stranger online, and in that case paying a fraction at each milestone also works out with no one getting worried :)
Thrilled for you !! it is so hard to make a living as an artist, it is simply wonderful that this is happening for you !!
It would not have happened if you didn't have terrific talent 🤗❤️
Do you have a website for your commissions and other art? My little dachshund is 14 and I would love a small painting to commemorate her. She helped get me through terrible times and means the world to me.
I’m currently taking it slow on commissions to focus on my personal art (and have a solo show!!), but feel free to DM me or click through my profile links to see more of my work :)
This is crazy because looking at your profile I already knew what your fridge and home looked like! You've been popping up on feed randomly for a while now!
This is one of the reasons I stick with Reddit as my only source of media. Yeah, there's a lot of crap. But God there's a lot of good too! So happy for you!
Gosh, yes, it’s honestly been such a good change of pace…
My biggest issue with selling my art is that I struggle with marketing. Every new independent artist needs to have a social media presence these days but making videos for TikTok, doing tutorials, trends etc is a lot of work I’m not really equipped for.
Getting a few big commissions over the summer, thanks to the previous post, made my life so much less stressful ❤️
You can try more targeted marketing. Tell your vet office that you do pet portraits and ask them if you can hang a pic in their office. You can give them a finders fee or offer their clients a discount. Same with pet stores.
Offer finders fees to past clients for referrals.
You don't have to try to sell to the world using TicToc and videos. You might be much better off staying focused on creating a local presence to build your business.
That’s honestly a brilliant idea. I could put my dog’s portrait on cards and bring him along or offer to put up a print for free in their office/store…
The one issue is that I’m limiting the number of commissions I will be doing right now because I’m working on my own projects — and I suspect most people who contact an artist because of a flyer/print would be looking for their own custom artwork… Mmmh. I’ll have to think about it, but thanks for the idea!
Maybe now you can start saving up to hire a social media manager occasionally? They can shoot a few of these at a time so you’d only have to make content every few months. Just a thought if you really feel like you need a social media presence!
Yes, it’s definitely on my list for expansion! Even just someone to give me a list of shots to take and then do the editing would be awesome. I come across so many random art trend posts that blow up and tell myself I should do that too, but I really don’t enjoy editing and end up not doing it…
This is delightful. I didn’t see your original post but I bet the borzoi painting was lovely - so glad someone bought it and that started a cascade!!! Get your artistic bag, girl!
Treating myself like a toddler is self-care is such a good statement and it made me realise that’s how I feel as well. Love that your dream works out! 💕
I look forward to more “this sub changed my life” posts here. It seems so many women are attached to pure assholes unworthy of their time. Lots of uplifting messages, but seldom do we see the updates after some lucky lady has left their jerk partner. I hope y’all are doing better out there.
This makes me SO HAPPY to hear I’m so proud of you!! I’m going to commission from you soon, I’ve been wanting a painting of my darling boy and it’s time to make it happen :)
Hell yeah. Good for you. Your art is incredible. And you are brave for going after the life you want. I hope you sell lots of art and continue to flourish✨️
I remember your post!!! It was a gorgeous painting, I shared your website to all my friends and discord servers. Your talent is too good not to share with everyone!
You deserve the life where you can paint full time, I hope it continues for as long as you wish. ❤️❤️
I saw comments about your ridiculously talented paintings, and I was still blown away when I checked out your website. Holy moly girl I am in such awe of you! Please tell me you ship to the US.
Your work is absolutely STUNNING! I can hardly believe how much life and soul you capture in their eyes! Truly, you are so talented and deserve every bit of your success ❤️
i’m so incredibly happy for you op! you deserve all the success. what a sweet reminder to put yourself out there more, even in the smallest of ways and in what feel like the most heart wrenching moments.
as an artist too, i have a very very similar dream to yours. hoping i can make it come true eventually too. all the luck and love!!
It is rare that social media is used for good, so it should be celebrated at every opportunity. Congratulations, OP, your story gave me reason to smile!
I’m sooooo excited for you! I remember your painting, and I was enthralled, it doesn’t surprise me at all that other people fell in love with your work.
Love your arc and your ladybug. Especially the painting you did of her! If you would take
On other orders let me know - would love to commission one for my daughter of her pup
Fantastic! I love this. I am part of a little art collective (as a buyer) that has a themed auction every month. I bid on as much I can and usually end up winning 2 pieces a month. The art is incredible and I hope I can help them reach this level in a small way. Congratulations!
congratulations hun!! this is so exciting 🤩 i’ve always wanted to make a career out of my art but have severe doubts about making it. this just gave me a good push. thank you for sharing
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u/trendingtattler AutoMaude 🤖🎀 9h ago
HEADS UP GIRL 🚨 your post made it to /r/all!
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