Geraint's seminar
First of all, I want to become an artist who is responsible for the society, and also enjoy the process of creating artworks. Therefore selling artworks cannot be my only income reliance. If that become my main way to earn money, I’ll end up set a lot of restrictions for my future artist creation. Before I came to London, I was a part-time illustrator for two illustration companies. These types of company always follow the same process. The publishing house will always contact the illustration company first to create works for them. Some appointed illustrators would hand in their works afterwards. If they passed the audit, they just need to finish the series of work in a certain time frame. Moreover, if the publishing house is in a hurry, then it will have be a group of illustrator work on the same project together. It will require a lot time on negation and coordination between each other. Ultimately it is stressful and might led to lots of restrictions. However, if you do your works independently, and contact the galleries for exhibition, the staff might also refuse you. The reality in the art industry is often cruel. We are always seeking for that kind of art, which is relatively accord with the market. I don’t want to become someone like that. Therefore the first thing I must do is to be financially independent, that is when my other incomes are higher than those I gained from selling my works.
What kind of artist I want to be?
What will be my major income source?
If it’s possible, my major income source might partly come from selling artworks. There were some people purchased my work when I exhibited them in China. But I think this type of income source is quite unstable. Therefore I want to find other ways to earn income. Become a lecturer in university can be a good choice in the long run, however, it is still not the best. There are lots of unspoken rules in Chinese universities, so how to deal with people will become a main part in such workplace. I’ve opened up a musical instrument store in my undergraduate years, as well as an antique store online. The income I gained from both shops sustains my daily spending quite well. I’ve got some good suppliers and a group of customers. I think these types of business were related to cultural and creative industry, as well as they related to my life & artist creation. This can become one of the income sources for me. In China there are lots of opportunities to earn money, to invest something together with friends can be a great choice too. Of course, there will be a lot of further questions to think about in the future.
Who is my targeted audience?
In an Internet well developed era, I think my targeted audience can be everyone. However, a lot of people will see my works, but it doesn’t mean they will be my audience. My targeted audience is a group of people who has the similar life experience and demands as me. I believe that if I have fixed audience group, it can be 100 or 1000 people. These people are enough to support my life. I’ve seen a similar discussion on a TV interview before. They thought if an artist has 1000 die-hard fans, they will purchase whatever you created or made, then it is enough for you to maintain livelihood. So that I don’t expect every single person will appreciate my works.
What problems I might be facing?
First of all, I have to develop and train myself to a skillful state. Therefore I can clearly represent my thoughts through my artworks, and enjoy the sense of joy within it. How to become someone with social responsibility? I think I have to accumulate different experiences, along with highly observation. The most important question for me I think it’s relate to livelihood. Although I’ve had some experience, but how to manage my time in the actual practice is a major question to think about. As I don’t want to rely on selling artworks to make income, so to set a multi-task goal can be challenge for me. In addition, I have to think can I manage my time and energy well?