Where should I start if I've been creating art my whole life but have never really tried to sell it?

Start with what forces you to interact with people and talk about your work. Art fairs and craft shows are valuable as a forcing function — they put you and your art in front of new people and make you have conversations. Sign up for 3-4 shows, not just one, because some will be duds and some will be great. Also try guerrilla approaches: set up at farmers markets, beach locations, or your city square. You can even try free platforms like Facebook Marketplace to test the waters. If you work somewhere public (like a bar), see if you can display some pieces there and have colleagues talk you up. The goal is to start getting your work in front of people and practicing those sales conversations, even if you’re shy about your art.

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Asked by an artist new to selling · Answered by Patrick · Art Business Webinar · 2026-09-09