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Tips for the budget conscious beginner artist

Cutting down costs, while setting yourself up for creative pursuits

By Sharn Truscott Published 3 years ago 3 min read
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Like many creatives, there are many hobbies in the arty field that can lead to excellent side hustles and emotional fulfilment. The downside with any hobby, or side hustle is that the costs in the beginning can be off putting.

Listed here are tips that I have implemented to ensure I save as much money as possible, without compromising on creative growth.

Visual arts - lets get arty and crafty!

1. Purchase artist materials from cheaper art retailers, for example Walmart, Kmart, second hand shops, school fetes etc...keep an open mind to what you'll find. I came across a second hand easel for under ten dollars through searching charity shops. You never know what treasure will be unearthed.

2. To make sure you don't over buy paint sets, set up a desk with labels on your paint equipment. Buy cheap storage containers and ensure everything is sorted.

3. Consider renting out a camera before committing to a long term purchase. Read online reviews from other photographers before spending your money. Learn skills off photography magazines, and join arts based social clubs through Meet Up.

4. Exploring installation art? This is a beautiful way to build an artistic environment for kids. Working as a team, materials can be sourced from art and craft tables, creating paper and cardboard based art that can hang from the ceiling. For inspiration, see artist Clare Celeste- her work on sustainability through installation art is so beautiful.

5. Seek out charity shops for second hand shops for books, magazines on art and crafts that you're seeking information on. When finished with these resources, you could always donate these back to create a circular economy.

6. Buy cheap books for writing in at 2 dollar shops, or the Dollar Tree in the US. Cost effective stationary and labels can also be purchased at Target, Kmart and Walmart.

7. Wanting a new writers desk? Look online for bargains, or ask your family/friend network to see if anyone has a desk available. You never know what is around the corner. Consider searching second hand shops before splashing out too much cash on a piece of furniture, that is inevitably going to be covered in stationary, paints and other creative tools.

Nature art

8. The Japanese have a term used for nature walks. Shirin Yoku is translated in English to mean 'forest bathing', a process where an individual immerses themselves into nature. During this process, breathe in the air, and soak in the atmosphere. In the process, collect local rocks, sticks, fallen leaves and see what beautiful patterns you can make out of the intriguing shapes and mesh of interesting colours. For further nature art inspiration, read online about Richard Schilling the nature based artist, and sculptor Andy Goldsworthy.

Performing Arts

9. Rent a musical instrument through many retail stores. Look online. Learn the basics of the instrument to become familiar with the help of Youtube.

10. If buying dance shoes or equipment, seek out local dance schools to see what is going size wise in the second hand box. Many dance schools will sell items at a lower rate from past performers, so this is one option to lower costs.

Creative education - Further your learning

11. Seek out free learning on YouTube for art and crafty projects.

12. Search online for cost effective short courses, at places like community colleges or universities.

13. Cheap online courses can be found online at Skillshare or Udemy.

Final Note:

To counteract costs, consider whether you can sell some of your art work, skills through teaching workshops at local colleges or creating online courses. Whichever creative endeavors you take, enjoy the process and explore your creativity. You never know if you've found a new, evolving passion or a side hustle.

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