Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Snapdragons
5x7 inches
acrylic on panel
Available at Veranda Gallery in Ocala, Florida

See more paintings HERE



Painters Tip


Saving Money


Like most professional artists, I am always trying to balance my studio budget. Here are a few suggestions:


Never buy supplies unless they are on sale if you can possibly wait to purchase. Most of the big supply companies have regular sales on various supplies. Stock up on your supplies whether you need them or not, when they are on sale. If it is a product you will need, buy it now and save money. Look for coupons online. Go to web sites like Michaels and Hobby Lobby and download their coupons. It is a good way to buy brushes and especially large or heavy items, which will cost more to ship. I used a Michaels 50% off coupon to buy my studio easel. Use the largest tubes of paint available for studio work. It will be less expensive.


Use wholesale or bulk framing companies instead of retail frame shops, unless your local framer takes good care of you like mine does.


If you are selling your work, you need to get your sales tax number. You will save a lot of money with your exemption and if you are going to be a pro, you will need to be properly licensed anyway. Keep a copy of your sales tax receipt in your wallet. When you go to a local art store use it to get your exemption.


If you have fellow artists that you trust, get together with them and do orders of supplies in bulk. You can share the cost of shipping and save quite a lot of money. You can also share the cost of postage for mail outs and other promotions. Put together a packet of promotional materials for a group of artists and send them out, splitting the cost of the mail out. I would suggest that in this case, the artists should have different subjects and styles to market. It would not be wise to have all landscape or still life etc. packaged together. You certainly don’t want to send potential buyers to your competition.


Turn lights out when you don’t need them and don’t run the AC when you are not in the studio. If you have storage rooms off the main studio space, keep those doors closed so that you are not using the AC or heater in unoccupied rooms.


Try to match your clients with the mail outs that will do the most good. If you are doing a local event, only mail to local clients who are most likely to attend.