Kristen Stein Shares Advice and Lessons

What are the most impor­tant lessons you have learned about being an artist and sell­ing your work?

I have learned that cre­at­ing and sell­ing your own art­work as an inde­pen­dent, self-representing artist is truly a 24/7 job.  I am con­stantly working…..whether it be cre­at­ing new works, chat­ting about the newest pieces online, updat­ing blogs and online list­ings or sim­ply day­dreaminga about the next paint­ing, I seem to always be think­ing ‘art’. I would imag­ine that other artists feel the same way about con­stantly ‘bring­ing our work home with us’ and never really feel like we take a day off. So, in this way, being an artist is truly a full-time job….but I can’t com­plain as it really is a dream job when you get to cre­ate and sell works that are borne from your imagination.

What advice would you give to other artists?

Persevere…even in the slow­est and dark­est times. If you love what you do and the work makes you happy, it will likely bring joy to other peo­ple as well.  The busi­ness cycle can get frustrating…especially in the slow­est of times.… but con­tinue to cre­ate accord­ing to your pas­sion, and even­tu­ally the mar­ket will upswing again.  Con­tinue to learn from the world and peo­ple around you and this will help you grow both in your art and your business.