How to get the in-come coming?

[Melanie Peter]

Hi Joan,
Yes, thanks for telling me about the classes you're taking. She must be a good teacher. Private lessons from my home --I did that a couple of years ago when I occupied my own home/studio in the town where I grew up and where I was known. It worked out fine. Only problem was that I had to keep my house clean! But I can live with that.

I'm now married and living in a new town where I'm only beginning to be known. Also there is not a room in this house that would work. We're planning to build me a studio that I can teach out of, but that's a distant dream right now. I could rent a studio, but that's a scary thought with hundreds of dollars due each month.

I'm doing a lot to get my work out there. A new gallery in town will hang 2 of my portraits and I'll show in the juried downtown art festival in November. I'll put a sign up sheet out for interested students. Many people at previous outdoor shows have asked if I teach. Last time I taught from my home I charged $120 for 12 hours in 4 three-hour sessions over 4 weeks, with a $5/session model fee paid directly to the model. I had 4 students in the classes. I've never managed to find more than 4 to sign up. But it was great because I didn't have to haul my wagonload of supplies to some classroom, up and down stairs, etc. And I could run to my bookshelf and grab a helpful book to show at an appropriate moment. I like teaching that way (at home) a lot.

There are many artists who want classes but get sticker shock when they hear $10 or $15/hour. They can take classes at local art centers or colleges very cheaply. They get what they pay for, but they don't understand that.

Yes, I think teaching privately will work for me if I can find students around here.
_Melanie

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Hi Melanie,

I'm glad you find the idea of teaching at home intriguing, it sounds like you've had success with this already. You might have some kind of 'guest book' or notebook of some sort that you can ask people to sign if they are interested in classes. That way you'll have a record of names and contact information when you do get ready to have a class.

The great thing about the class I just started is that it's a group of women that love to paint, and they've become friends and share stories, etc. I have taken classes at the art school here and yes, they are about half the price, but it's a big classroom full of people I'll never see again after the semester ends. And those teachers aren't very good, they basically walk around the room and give pointers, no demonstrations or anything like that. Getting to know some other people who love to paint is a bonus of the private class and worth some extra cost. I've only been to one class so I can't really judge how good of an instructor the teacher is. It's a chance to paint in a supportive environment, that's what many people are looking for. If you can provide that, it seems like you could get many students.

Oh, another little attraction of this private class is the 'show' they'll have in December. Besides painting models, we'll paint a few still lifes to sell at the show. The friend that introduced me to the teacher said she makes back her class fee from her sales. I guess it's all about marketing!

Hope this helps.

Joan

P.S. You might look around for studio space and just see what the cost really is. I found out here in Houston it goes for about $1 per square foot per month, which isn't unreasonable if it allows you to teach a class and have a nice painting space. Good luck!

Also, thanks for mentioning that link to 'Painter's Keys', I had never seen that before and have enjoyed reading the 'letters'. Any more great inspirational links? I should start a new thread asking for that.