You don’t need to sell your art in order to consider yourself an artist. It’s the act of creation, not the commercialization of that act, that is the essence of your creative identity. With that being said, lots of artists feel a deep desire to sell what they create. Somehow, becoming a “professional” makes you more proud of what you do. Your art becomes even more central to your identity. What’s more, you can even earn a little money on the side.

Once you’ve decided to sell your art, you need to develop an effective marketing strategy. You can’t just start hawking paintings out in front of the convenient store (at least not if you want to have any success). Creating your own art magazine is a great option because it allows you to present your artwork in the perfect light to attract buyers. By putting high-quality photographs of your work in a stylish and well-produced magazine, you can display your professionalism while showcasing your work in the best possible fashion.

But how can you make your own art magazine? With modern technology and a proper camera, it’s really not as hard as you might think.

Step One: Design a Cover

The cover is the most important part of your magazine, since it is what will determine whether people open it or not. You want your cover to be glamorous but not garish, attention-grabbing but not obnoxiously so.

Step Two: Decide on a Layout

You’ll need to decide how you want the inside of your magazine to look. There are lots of computer programs available to help you with this part of the process.

Step Three: Photograph Your Work

You need your work to look its best in your magazine’s photographs. Consider using a digital camera from a company like Eastman Kodak Company to ensure you get quality shots.

Step Four: Add Captions and Text

You want the focus to be on your art, but you can’t have only pictures in your magazine. Include captions for every photo and some information about yourself and your story.

Step Five: Print

Once your magazine is ready to go, it’s time to print as many copies as you think you’ll need.

Creating a magazine is an awesome way to market your wares. Now that you know the basics, it's time to start planning your future as a commercial artist.

Author's Bio: 

Dixie Somers is a freelance writer who loves to write for business, health, and women’s interests. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters.