Rob Hann

My last two posts "MINI ART EMPIRES IN THE ROUGH, Street Artists make a living selling directly to the public" inspired some interesting comments from readers on handmade spark and on my Blog that I would like to share. People were amazed that artists could sell art on the street and make an income that would rival (and surpass) animator and concept designer wages working in the film and game industries. Here are some remarks from people around the world...

"Amazing figures you had on their income. Had no idea it was that high, and that's GREAT!!!"

"I love to see artists taking a non-traditional path and succeeding with it."-Jacqueline Dover

Ron Jones

"Loved reading about these talented artists and the fact that they're out in the streets. It's art for the masses where everyone can appreciate it. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself and your work on display like that. Receiving a income out of it is even better."-Amber Jordan

"I didn’t know there were artists selling on the streets of NY... I wish I could set up shop on the street here in France, but unfortunately it’s not legal... Also, were there any women out there?-Laura

Yes there were women selling art.

Pedro

"So interesting that this economy has put some people on the streets...and they are succeeding! I know the same thing is happening with chefs, restaurant business has slowed down so they buy big carts and sell their delicious food on the streets..."-Ravenhairedshop

"We have a lot of street artist here in New Orleans; the city is starting to reevaluate their permitting...I hope they leave them be!!! -Lisa LeBlanc

Ray Sumser

The comment you made about "Living outside the corporate model"-----I can relate to this all too well. Throughout my high school years we always attended career days, military, radiology, nursing, mechanic, but never an entrepreneurial themed day. I recently turned 38, yes I can admit my age, and it took me this long to finally figure out what I want to do with my life in terms of my career. I've been working in the healthcare field for the past 20 yrs, and don't get me wrong, I enjoy my work and feel blessed at all the special people I've met, but my true passion is what drives me to work very hard to be an independent artist."-Jennifer Schulting

The art spirit will not be denied!

Kurt McRobert

I love this series! It has been really eye opening to realize that these artists are not starving..they are thriving! Very encouraging to see authenticity "in the rough" as well. Thanks Greg!-Amber Jordan

When winter arrives where do they go? Just curious...

Believe it or not they are out there in winter too, unless it's really stormy or snowing. The cold does not stop them. They just bundle up.

Prince Street will be a definite stop for me "when" I visit NYC.

So now the street artists of Prince street  have become a tourist destination! It is amazing what can happen when you put yourself out there. Keep living in that art spirit everyone!

Peace and prosperity,

Greg

Photos by Spalenka

*MINI ART EMPIRES IN THE ROUGH*Street Artists make a living selling directly to the public.

When I was in New York last week for my lecture at the Society of Illustrators Educators Symposium I had an opportunity to walk around SoHo. When I lived in Manhattan during the 80's the blue chip art world of Leo Castelli, and Mary Boone ruled this corner of the Big Apple. Since then the art arena has moved around to different parts of the city, yet some galleries still remain on the streets of SoHo, literally. Walk along Prince st. and vendors line the sidewalks selling clothing, jewelry, incense, nick nacks, and art.

Generally I walk briskly past most of these fold out tables piled high with stuff, but this time I came to a realization that stopped me in my tracks! What I was seeing here specifically with the artists were mini art empires in the rough! I decided right then and there to interview a handful of these budding entrepreneurs and find out more about their story and methods. The following sheds some light on the businesses of eight artisans who make their living selling art on the streets of Manhattan.

When it comes to real estate we know the importance of Location, Location, Location!

It is no different in the world of street art. Mathew Courtney's "Steps To Nowhere" Gallery was organized neatly on historical cast iron stairs near J.Crew. How do the shops feel about artists selling their wares next to their location? Mathew smiled, "We get along."

Mathew utilizes markers, colored pencils and watercolors to create art over newspapers, cardboard, and other found objects. He laughed, "I make art on just about anything!"

A daughter of one of his patrons came by to see what new works he was showcasing! I mentioned to him that I have found fans to be very loyal and he replied, "Yes, some people return many times to see what new art I have created."

Kurt McRobert

Some of the artists I spoke with were veterans of seven years or longer, others like SVA graduate Kurt McRobert were out for the first time. "I got tired of waiting around for illustration jobs and decided to set up shop and see what happened." He threw up some fold out trays and rigged up a table of super heroes and girlie pics.

Did they need special clearance from the city to sell art on the sidewalks? "You just need a sellers ID number," he said. That's it!? "That's it." I was surprised that you could set up shop so easily on the streets of NYC.

Comic book characters appeared to be big sellers in this market. This was the weekend the New York Comic Convention was happening and I attempted to inspire some of these artists to go to it. "You can make some great connections and open a new market for your art," I suggested. A few of them said they were too busy holding down the shop, and besides the "weekends are the best selling days, can't afford to miss that opportunity," was the response. They had found their niche!

Most of these artists were focused on selling and had not thought much about social media promotion, or even simple business tools such as business cards. When I asked Pedro (?) if I could see him online or if he had a business card, he patted the pockets of his paint spattered pants and said, "I got to make up some cards. Don't have much online yet, checking out Flikr, but haven't put up a website, blog, whatever."

"Not much time for advertising. Don't really want to. I'm too busy painting." Most of his acrylic pieces were created on stretched canvases. Finished paintings (no frames) were stacked in front of each other, lined up on the ledge of a building.  He stopped working for a moment on a Batman painting which was securely fastened to a fold out easel and took a drag on his cigarette. "Don't have much time for anything else."

Optimo

Others like the graffiti artist Optimo painted on just about everything, with everything. People would bring him license plates, signs (city, private, etc), pieces of wood to make art on. Of course walls of all sort were game too, but he could not bring those to his street shop. If it can be painted on, it can become art. "Graffiti is beautiful, because art is beautiful. Just because other people can't see the fuckin beauty, doesn't make it so," he said passionately.

Optimo was setting up shop with a table on the street side of the sidewalk and art propped up next to the building across from him. "Sometimes the cops ask me where I got the signs (city owned) to paint on and say that what I am doing is not art. It's art, I tell them. Generally they don't bother me but I have to watch out for them."

When I took his picture he did not want his face shown much, so he covered it with his hand. A picture is not going to hide an artist with this much passion, especially when its crowned with a top hat! But I felt his sincerity when he said, "I love making art. It's what I do."

When I asked most of these artists if they actually made a living selling art this way, the consensus was they did pretty good. "Recently sales have been slow because of the economy, but people still buy," Pedro confided.  Optimo added, "It's always up and down, but I have a little girl to take care of so I must be out here."

How much do these guys make in cash amounts on a day to day, week to week basis? You will be surprised at the answers which will be revealed in the second part of this post next week. I can give you a hint... it's as much and more that most animators and concept designers in the film industry make!

Wrap your brain around that one.

To your creative empowerment,

Greg