Hi Matt and welcome to Artmetal. Your work is really nice, I liked Gardeners Dream a lot, so you shouldn't have a problem there. My only suggestion is to do a little research around your area and try to find a niche. Whether that's quality metalwork, forgework, fencing, furniture, etc will depend on the area. Around here there aren't too many people willing to take on the more artistic metalwork which has helped me a lot.

You might try making up a flyer with some info, references, and pictures and sending it to area architects, designers, and contractors. If you had the time, it might be best to visit them in person, but for the farther ones a flyer would probably work. I'm sure that Illinois is no different than any where else in the fact that half of the sub-contractors out there are only so-so, which means that half of the designers, architects, and general contractors are looking for better ones. If you can prove that your one of them, they might come to you for all of their metalworking jobs. The only problem is if they all want you to do work(although thats a better problem then no work). Having to turn down work that you asked for because your too busy doesn't look so good, so you might pitch your talents a little bit at a time.

Another option is to look for "Parade of Homes" events. About once a year, the home builders and designers open some of their better new or remodeled homes to the public for a weekend. The new homes often borrow furniture so that they look lived in and in return you can leave a stack of business cards on your piece. you might look around and offer some of your wares for the next one.

Whatever you do, don't give up though, it can be tough getting the $ coming in, but if you keep at and "listen" to what the market and customers want it'll come in eventually. I've found that good relationships with the construction community is almost as important as the quality work. We were/are all there at some point and understand your frustration.

I guess that was more than one suggestion.

Keep us updated

Jake

Don't be disillusioned Matt. I can relate to what you are going through. I too am a hermit of sorts. I live in the country and have my studio about 100 feet from my house. I have to tell you that things are better for you and all other metal artists in this age of the Internet. Reason being that you do not have to live in a metropolitan area to make a living as an artist. However, you do have to get the word out! 50% of an artists time has to be spent in promoting themselves. The other time is left to be creative, learning new techniques, feeding the soul, and making your mark.

You are fortunate that you have a supportive wife and one that is helping bringing in an income for the family. Take your time to develop a GREAT portfolio. Not just a good one, but a great one! Do your very best work, even if it means not getting all the money that you deserve. Document your best work and create a great portfolio. People will want to purchase your art if it is great and the only way to prove your abilities is by documenting what you have created.

I spent the first 10 or so years getting paid less than minimum wage for my art. I counted these first commissions as my learning experiences. Thing is though that the commissions which I took on gave me the ability to create wonderful works of functional art. I always photographed the work before it left the studio with a nice background.

As time went on, I was able to charge more for my art because people could see what I was creating. I then got on the Internet band wagon and began to develop my personal web site along with ArtMetal. It's been a labor of love for the craft and the art of creating.

I am not financially wealthy, but I am spiritually rich! This is the path I have chosen and have loved all the ups and even the downs. The downs are as important because they are what makes us move.

I wish you the best and want to welcome you to ArtMetal. We are all learning who we are and how to express the yearning for creation. The metal arts are a great medium to express ourselves through the visual senses.

Selling yourself is sometimes tough. While I'm not super successful, I am getting by. I started out on my own three years ago. Here's what I've been doing. Make cards and brochures. Carry them with you. I hate passing them out, but often, once someone hears you do custom metalwork, they'll ask for a card. Visit the local builders and interior design companies. The first two builders I walked into, I walked out with work. One was for $24,000, the other has been a small but steady source of work. It hasn't been that easy most of the time, but one never knows what waits beyond the door. Like was said, watch how much you take on, I started to develop a good relationship with a couple of other business. One was a high end interior designer and the other was a very good home builder. I promised deadlines and failed to make them. I've tried to make amends, but sometimes, the one chance is all you get. I do shows. Don't really sell much, but it's good exposure. I've had some articles written about me in the local papers because they saw me at the shows. One show, resulted in getting invited out to Telluride, Colorado to look at a house. Nice little all expenses paid vacation. Did two firescreens, one fireplace door and a set of doors for the wood bin. Get juried into the art galleries. I use them as a way of trying different things and still have a way of selling them. Some of them will let you leave a portfolio on display. The thing is to be proactive. The worlds full of skilled starving artist because them don't sell themselves, and the world's equally full of good marketers successfully selling poorly made stuff at high prices.

Hope this helps.
Gerald Boggs

Hi Matt, I`m sure there is a lot of people who would like you to do some sort of work for them, but the problem is they don`t know you yet. In fact, I do have the same problem back here in another latitud (South America) and it seems that no matter where the artist is, the growing process follows as described by Quique and Jack.A friend of mine,was a farmer too, and said part of the business is producing a good crop, and the other half was to sell it at a price that`ll give a reasonable profit.Marketing is the key point here,for you and for many of us. Don`t let dissapointments stop you on your way... Best wishes. Nelson.

Thanks Jake, just wish I had proofread it a little better before I posted it. :-)

Gerald Boggs