How do you get known?

[CiceroKit]

I am going to be frank here. I have been a professional graphic designer for more than a decade. A little over a year ago, I had taken short-term disability from my job due to medical problems that never got better. So... here I am, trying to make a go of it between a part-time design job and freelance work while applying for SSI. I returned to more traditional media and returned to my roots of creating anthro art. I have art posted on FA and DA, and have several auctions going on furbuy.com. I have an art site here (though there is no link to it) and am in the process of creating my own site, kittywombat.com, to feature my art exclusively. I even belong to several groups on Facebook to help promote my furry art. I have a printer handling my art at cons for me. I believe my work to be good enough to compete in the furry art scene, but I am having a hard time getting my work known (I have included examples of digital and traditional media below).

Many of you may know my mate, Itico. What you may not know is how we are struggling to keep a float given our circumstances. I need to be able to sell my work. Creating art at home is one of the few things I can do given my health issues. Please, if anyone has any suggestions, please post here. I am looking for serious responses that can help me get known in the fandom.

Example of digital work:


Example of traditional work:

[Kobuk]

Not sure if this'll help, but take a look at this thread here:
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php/topic,31442.0.html

Look at the links under where it says "The Business of being an Artist".

[CiceroKit]

Thank you for the link. I do need help, specifically, in breaking into the furry fandom. I have marketed my own work for quite some time and do have other freelance gigs--laying out publications, designing logos, etc. But I seem to be having trouble getting known in the community despite my best efforts. Public relations and marketing are not new areas for me. My MA is in that. However, I do not know how to effectively market in this subculture. The old rules don't necessarily apply. I have been told to go to more cons (which I cannot afford). I went to my first last year, at MFF. I plan on going there again next year, this time having a table to create commissions. I work very fast, so I should be able to handle what others have referred to as "unrealistic expectations" and get customer's sketchbook and con badge commissions to them within the same day.

[Temperance]

You seem to have a good internet presence, but you need more then that.

First, get/make a portfolio website.  Make a nice website or hire someone to design one for you.  Show off your BEST work, and ONLY your best work on this site, make sure it's clear and easy to surf, and all the pictures are easy to see and navigate.  Make sure there is a contact e-mail or form people can fill out.  Clearly outline somewhere that you take commissions and provide basic pricing information.

Second, make business cards with your website on them.  Give them out to everyone and anyone.

Third, go to conventions... (not just furry cons, hit scifi/fantasy cons, comic conventions, anime cons) get an art table (they are usually cheaper than vendor tables) sell prints, mini art books, bookmarks etc with your art on them.  Talk to people, handout more business cards.

Forth, try to get published somewhere.  Do some self publication and try to sell them for commission at your local book store/comicstore/popculture store or try to submit your stuff to known furry publications like Furrlough or Antarctic press' Gold Digger Specials.  Make sure if your submit something that gets published, that your webpage is on the picture or in the credits.

It is an expensive investment, but makes all the difference.  If you have a hard time with the money, try to get someone to invest to help you out.  Maybe someone who likes art at your work, or your relatives.  If you sell enough at a con, you can ususally make your money back on the table and printing costs for your stuff.

[CiceroKit]

Thanks for the advice. I am in the process of launching a portfolio site. In the past, I have used one, mainly, as a means to show potential employers my work. The site I am working on will feature a lot of my comic work. I am looking at some print on demand publishing. I have been published in the past, but not as a furry artist. I think that it comes down to having a presence at cons. I am looking to all cons within 300 miles of where I live, since I know there are at least two big sci-fi cons in this area in addition to MFF. I guess it just takes time and that I need to be patient.

[Temperance]

I've been pushing my art for years, and even now I find it difficult.  Keep at it ^_^