Why I’m closing my online art shop and starting fresh as an Artist- and how social media affected that decision. Favorite Products: www.amazon.com... Start Dropshipping: www.printful.c... My website: www.kaylacarlil...
I'm an art professor and I started following your RU-vid account a few months back just to learn a different perspective on how to build an art business. Honestly though, I never really cared for the art I saw you share. That is until I saw some of the older pieces you shared in this video. Your personal work is much more engaging than your "popular" work. I am glad that you are making this turn in your career.
Thank you for this feedback, I really appreciate it. I agree, I did not enjoy creating the other work as much as I enjoy creating the meaningful artwork.
I agree. I watched your video on how to make money with your art in 2024, then chose this video randomly to watch. Yes, painting what you don't love just to sell is something alot of us who love to paint do--I did it on Etsy--painting brides from photos because I got orders. I learned alot doing it. The one thing I want to teach everyone now is how relaxing it is to turn on instrumental music, pour a cup of coffee and paint for several hours. I am alone after a 31 year marriage, so I have alot of time to do whatever I want--I still need to support myself, so I am trying to figure out how to do this. Make personal art is my mantra. Congrats to you! It sounds like you have someone to help you financially now--that can help you make personal art! You are precious. I love your enthusiasm. I will watch more of your videos. Keep giving advice! The world needs your voice!! xxoo
As an art professor, you know what you personable care for means nothing. She's extremely talented and that talent shines through in whatever painting she does. Being able to generate almost a million followers is an accomplishment most artists would give a big toe to have. It's great that she's following her heart, I wish all artists had that ability, but don't act like her work prior to this wasn't really good because it was. I seriously doubt you have the following or the skill she has so come down off your high horse and stop being patronizing.
As someone who was a teen mom and artist, I get why you took the path you did, but staying true to your “need to create art” whether it was true to who you were or not is still truly fantastic. When I was young we didn’t have the internet. Being an artist was much harder, you needed to be gallery represented or have connections to make a living at art. There was a point in my life I had to work 3 jobs and have a baby sitter raise my child to pay the bills. I didn’t pick up a brush for 6 years in the 1990’s. Now I’m 60 and I’m freer to make art❤️ I teach paint parties, and make things for craft sales, but in 2024 I’m planning to explore that part of me that has been hidden back, “stuffed if you will” to put on an acceptable face to be marketable to the world and explore the art style and subjects that are me😊 I’ve subscribed! Looking forward to your new work!
Just found your channel today. I appreciate your candidness with it all. I’ve been an artist and graphic designer all my life and just in the past year realized I HAVE to do my own thing, my own style. I will keep following you!! I also love your more personal pieces rather than the celebrity work. Thank you for reinstilling in me the decision to do more on RU-vid.
You know that this video has given me clarity of what I am going to do as an artist. I have been selling at the Wednesday Markets for a long time and I feel like an artist who only does arts and crafts. Frustrating how people see me selling a painting for $500-$1000 and tell me, Wow, how expensive. As artists, it hits me hard because they don't value the passion and love that goes into each of my works.
Tell your stories! I can feel the freedom you’re finding through the screen :) You are the only you in this world and you have a gift to share. You have a gift for sharing & storytelling as well! I’m off social media but will follow your journey here on RU-vid.
One thing that was ruining my art was posting consistently on social media, and not focusing on the quality of the artwork. It got to the point that I started thinking of when I had to post something and the quality of my work was taking a hit. I'm glad I was able to pull back from that, and was able to take my time when working on a piece and now I have gotten so much better.
I relate a lot! I'm a singer about to release my first single on Monday. I've spent the last couple of days researching ways of promoting, labels, music industry stuff etc, only to realize that I don't want any of it. I want to keep developing my art and do it out of pure love and passion. It's nice to think that someday I could make a living out of it, but I don't want that to be a goal, because it changes things. I want to sing and write about what is important to me, and nothing else. And if that means having to have a boring job to support being able to go on creating, so be it! I don't want to treat the most vulnerable and real parts of myself as a money machine. It was great seeing this, it felt like a confirmation for the decision that I took! (Just keep on making art and putting it out without much ado) It also takes so much pressure of the process of creating, because I don't have to wonder if something could be a hit anymore. That is by far not the only/most important aspect
If it is meant to reach certain people, it will do so. Profit from those. I know a few artists that are known among celebrities but are not massively known but do make a living from those followers, not just music but other business endeavors of music by products. Dont forget those massive marketed artists dont own their art and are not free to do as they feel and are sometimes very much in debt to the labels they are signed into, thats IF they don’t put them in a draw.
You’re on the “right track”. Making art to “sell” is a way to go about things. There’s A LOT of potential money out there. In the end, it doesn’t fill the void that many of us are filling with why we create art in the first place. Make art for YOU. The reward should be the creation. Anything else is a bonus!
I can’t express how deeply this resonates with me. I’m so sorry that you’ve been having this internal artistic struggle, but I’m so proud of you for finding what you think is a better direction for you and your artistic practice. I’ve been thinking a lot about my own art business and what I want to make/what is “marketable” and this video really made me feel so much less alone. Thank you for this, and I’m rooting for you 😊🙏🏻
Thank you so much for sharing Kayla. I’m so proud of you for taking this step in the direction that feels authentic to you. In the process of trying to build my art business I have learnt that for me the process of painting is so important, it’s therapeutic to paint what I want to paint. I don’t enjoy doing commissions because I don’t really like someone else influencing what I paint or the pressure that is inherently there with commissions. I’m excited to see your work progress and you certainly won’t lose me as a follower for it xx
Beautiful!! Great discovery, and a wonderful advice for others. Be you!! Thank you for sharing this. I hope you will create your dream and get that gallery one day!! 😍😍😍😍
You're very skilled and so brave for doing that. No experience is wasted, remember that. The adventure into yourself is true and will be an exciting rollercoaster, but it will be a journey in service to you, not everybody else. Good luck!
First I want to say you are beautiful and so is your artwork and in my opinion I believe that you have reached a point in your life to reach out and touch so many other people just hearing you talk on this video and seeing some of your old paintings really touched me I can completely relate and there are so many people out there that need to know they are not alone in their feelings I think you are great as a person and an artist and you will do well no matter what you choose to do. Just be true to yourself and your desires.
Learning from Truma is a blessing especially when you realize achieve break thru to the other side see and knowing what your Destany was all along nothing is a waist it is all a learning curve. You are so Precious Young Lady many of us on Earth have had our Trials and Tribulations it is a strong Heart and Mind and spiritually that get us thru it stronger, more powerful. YAH!! You are also a teacher did you know that you are helping people how to cope with difficulty and still stay focused on what your true calling is that little one if a Great Gift in helping others which I think you do. What a precious young woman you are such a sweet Gal. God Bless You and Yours.
This hits close to home. Most of my work is centered around content I find meaningful to myself and society but that's not what gets the most traction. I'd often get frustrated with artists who go viral for doing celebrity art or art that doesn't have meaning. Yeah, I can do that, but if feels like a dead end. Hearing that you have grabbled with this is encouraging and it lets me know I'm not alone. It also lets me know, artists who create for the message and not necessarily for the profit (though that would be nice) aren't crazy. I totally support your shift! Artists are the story tellers of their eras.
I like to see célebre portraits But i have a keen to true art from the soul. Art that tell you a story from someone’s eyes. Your art is beautiful. I can connect to it. I appreciate that.
Totally understand where you're coming from - whenever I sit down to draw something I think will do well and that's the reason I want to draw it, all my drive and creativity just drains away and I can't. but when I sit down and make something because I'm excited about it, that's when I'm at my best. Totally get that. One thing I disagree with (as a fine arts/painting school drop out) is the idea that getting your work in a gallery or being collected by "an art collector" is somehow better or more respectable that selling prints. I don't think that's true. Are not all those people that buy a print Also art collectors? I don't think it cheapens your work at all and in fact I think it's better to share your work with people that way, most of the things I've purchased in the last few years are original prints because I'm so broke, there's no way I could afford an original painting! Listen to your heart, do what you've gotta do, but don't fall for the trap that getting your work in an art gallery is what makes an artist successful. That's just chasing a different kind of recognition that's just as hollow.
Thank you. I have been struggling so much with many things. I have been drowning in the decision of if I should continue painting or not. I have not once been popular on social media, nor have I really tried. Creating art is a part of my soul though, without it I am lost in silence. I thought my work was only important if it was recognized, if it sold...it never has. So, with all that being said, I am starting again because you were brave enough to say all the things I couldn't face myself. I am looking forward to your new creations, because if your words did this much, I can only imagine what your art will say.
You know, all art doesn't have to have a deep message to it. You can create art just to create beauty. A beautiful still life, portrait or landscape may not necessarily have a great meaning to the artist other than they like something about the design, light, or beauty of the scene. The great masters of the past were often commissioned by wealthy patrons or the church. The reality was they had to do these commisions to make a living. You can always do both. Be careful with selling portraits of famous people. Without a model release you can be sued for copyright infringement by the person or photographer whose photo you work from.
I've just discovered you few days back Kayla. I'm glad I did and watched all of your "how to generate income through digital". It's relates to me at this point of my journey, I'm sure we go through different phases and evolve accordingly. All the best in your upcoming path. Personally I was dyslexic as a child, currently 50 years of age. Single mom for 20 years. Only started my cake journey 14 years. It's time I transition into digital to reach, share and impact more in my industry. I look forward to your future sharings. Don't rush it, and have fun! 🥰
I found you on RU-vid. I didn’t care much about your celebrity paintings. They are good… it’s just not a subject matter I enjoy. I subscribed because you have a really bubbly personality in your videos. I loved seeing your original artwork. In my opinion it’s more interesting. Also, you may just need to taylor your content for each social media platform. I have learned that works best for my content.
Let me ask you a question.. Why the need for everything to be "viral"..? That would put me in an emotional spiral if I saw that it wasn't going viral. That's like when you post a selfie and you love it so much you want everyone to notice. But when you don't get the liked or noone shares it, it puts a downer on yourself. I personally am not an artist of realism, but of mixed media whimsical portraits because I to suffer from a lot of heartache, adversities and pain. The magic of whimsy takes me to another place , away from reality. And you can also incorporate your pain in that too. 😊
I take creative breaks from the art. I will create in a different genre such as baking or decorating. Sometimes I feel inspired to draw a funny sketch about my cat. I draw/hand woodburn popular logos & things on customized drumsticks. 🥁 I feel like an art monkey. I never go viral ever but it satisfies the client that requests it & it’s money to pay my bills. I do it to pay the bills & I do it to fulfill that lack of creativity I didn’t have in corporate graphic design world I was in for 20+ years.
David Bowie of all people had great advice on this: "Don't play to the gallery". Meaning don't just do what sells to get you by. Do what means something to you and where you are expressing what you have to say. May sell, may not, but it's where you need to be as an artist. The clip is on RU-vid.
Hey Kayla, that’s the same problem I am having I first used to make pencil portraits and that expressed me as well as that was my biggest 10th but I didn’t make that instead I started making acrylic paintings by copying others and painting them which aren’t too good, but they get a lot of likes on TikTok on my RU-vid channel but my pencil portrait which I put heart and souldo not get even a single like. Sometimes there are a lot of underrated artists in the world.
You Go girl!! I can definitely relate! God has so much more for your talent. Your work should be a reflection of you and your experiences. My old art teacher used to tell me “ your art should make meaning!” . Remember we do not conform to the patterns of this world. But be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Romans 12:2 sounds like you’re being transformed girl. You will help the world heal by sharing your story. I’m proud of you!
I mostly, historically, have done most of my art as celebrities portraits too... and I would argue that they are a part of you... at least the ones who inspire you😊
That’s a great point. I don’t regret most of the Art I’ve done, I just think I got too addicted to the feeling of painting what everyone else wanted. 🤍🤍🤍
I think that you would find the Milan Art Institute mastery program very helpful in finding your artistic voice. I'm currently on the program and I think it's great. I do resonate with what you say in this video. God bless :o)
this is very candid. I don't think it's crazy talk and good artists are a little or quite not normal, mentally. That is not to say it's bad. I actually felt jealous for all the brilliant artists' brain abnormalities😅. It's not my place to tell you who you are: you know you best. Art is never going to be for everyone and anyone. I'm glad you came to that conclusion. But the curse of the artist is that we have to offer something subjective and seemingly without necessity. And sometimes we have to give what the people want, just to make a living. Pat yourself in the back for supporting a child by yourself which to me is the most impressive thing possible.
chasing the money as an artist is an easy way to fall flat on your face. its a hard pill to swallow, and i wrestle with it every time i decide what to create.
You did what you thought you had to do to feed and care for yourself and your child and I'm not going to berate anyone for doing that. It's unfortunate that you had to obliterate your own voice to do that. I'm glad you're back in a place where you are able to make art that's meaningful to you. You will sell that art (which in my opinion is far superior to your hyper realistic celebrity portraits), you just gotta find the audience. They are there, believe me, you've just been playing to the wrong crowd. There's so much pressure, particularly on young people, to turn their passion into a full time job. It suits some people and they thrive, however, for me, it was always better to earn my money doing something else leaving me free to create what I want. Then, when you sell some work, it's a real bonus and so lovely to see it go to a home where it will be truly loved. Good luck to you, you're definitely back on the right path.
I love your old art! It isn’t as technical or polished as your newer pieces but as do see YOU and your struggle in the pieces and recognize myself in them too. The celebrity pieces are cool and very good, but not as relatable as your earlier pieces
It’s maybe the artists that can appreciate the earlier pieces more because we see the story and the style even in its early stages. I know that if you did similar pieces now, you’d do it with the skills you learned from painting LOTS of viral paintings but instead with a story.
I don’t think it was bad to spend time painting virality because all those paintings still exist within you and will be the building blocks of your next era of art
maybe thats why im not into portrait commission because people nowadays want a picture like drawing i feel like why would i waste my time doin that if i can print them using a machine right? btw i am nowhere near a fraction of your talent/skills i just love to do pencil sketches
Loved hearing this. For me, hearing one sincere comment regarding my work has to be worth a thousand "likes; on SM. I only really paint for me though...and the hope that maybe, one day, my grandkids might be millionaires lol Good luck and best wishes 🙏 💜 🌈
To me, people who decorate their homes with celebrity images are pathetic, lacking a life. Artist creating these pictures are just making a living. People painting with a therapeutic intention are doing something helpful to themselves - but shouldn't expect an audience beyond those few with similar experiences to applaude (and buy) their work. Success = sales in the high brow / gallery art market is a different category that most artist don't (and even refuse) to understand. Best position for anyone beyond decorative wall art production: be financially independent (wealthy enough parents, spouse, or decent job) and create what you like. One word of advice: if you want to succeed in high art you need a lot of writing. A lot! If you go "I don't want to go into more details ..." nobody will relate to you material. You can't sell the most gripping, suspenseful thriller novel to a US audience if the complete book is written in Japanese. Lay out your letters, your words, and your grammar to get a chance to be understood. And expect, that your from-the-heart surrealist style will be dismissed as being an immature, 1000-times-seen-before and this not relating to informed audiences rendering of your deepest feelings. Sorry. Fact. Gallery owners have seen such submissions by the thousands and rejected to represent to creator. You might have to invest 5 - 10 years in finding a more individual language for your most individual feelings and thoughts. If you are a war veteran hyperrealistically painting (and thus evoking) the atrocities you have seen (or worse committed and made cellphone snapshots of), your chances of success are minute. Nobody care if this is the most important subject in your life. Nobody wants to live with such images hanging on their wall. On might have the notion that there is a way to go straight for the museum. Wrong! First you need galleries who believe that collectors want your art in their homes. All about that you'd learn by being a part of the high art scene from entering academia to getting accepted by a gallery (upon recommendation of your professor or famous artist mentor), then sell (!!!), then get shown in externally funded exhibitions, best museums, be bought by collectors of ascending tier, then enter the secondary market successfully (action price above purchase price) - and so forth. Again: paint for yourself, and don't hope to gain money and fame, which, again, is impossible without writing a lot.
I think you’re on the right path Kayla 🩷 I’m proud of you for stepping back & listening to your intuition. I’ve turned down several custom paintings because my heart wasn’t in it. I may have lost out on money, but you can’t get your time back. Might as well spend it creating things that make your heart full. You go girl!!! 🥳🩷
