How I’m Landing Big Art Opportunities as a Part-Time Artist
As much as I dream about it sometimes, I’m not a full-time artist. You can read more about that here or listen to me talk about it on the Art Coaching Club Podcast.
I have a full-time job in marketing. I have a kid. I run an art business before school drop-off, after bedtime, and occasionally with a paintbrush in one hand and a homemade breakfast cookie in the other.
But somehow, in the last six months, I landed a magazine feature, was selected for a coffee table book, won a “People’s Choice” award for my art, booked a mural project, showed work in two galleries, and locked in a solo exhibition for May 2026. All while still logging into Zoom meetings 40 hours/week and packing school lunches.
So… how?
1. I Don’t Say Yes to Everything
This is a hard one, especially in the early stages when you’re hungry for any opportunity people will give ya. But not every yes is worth it.
I once had the chance to display my art in a local café. The owner was kind, the offer was generous, and they were doing great work supporting local artists. But the space didn’t make sense for my work. It wasn’t near the water, and the art on the walls was all from talented local artists, but it was all so different. It wasn’t a curated exhibit. So I knew my painting would get lost in the noise on the busy walls. I said no.
Another time, someone reached out about a mural on Cape Cod. A dream location for me! How could I not do it?! But it was nine hours away. The budget didn’t account for travel, and as amazing as it sounded, the logistics didn’t work (for both me and the business owner). Not every dreamy-sounding project is the right one.
A few months later, I received an email with another mural opportunity. It’s close to home, the timeline works, and they have a heated warehouse where I can paint in the winter. It felt aligned, not forced and the amount of money they offered was more than I would have asked for if I were to have done the outreach.
2. When I Pitch, I Make It About Them
I don’t send blanket emails asking people to “check out my art.”
The magazine feature came from a call I saw on Instagram. Buffalo Home Magazine was looking for holiday stories, and instead of asking to be featured, I pitched a story. I shared how I use coastal art to get through Buffalo winters, how painting beachy scenes helps me find light in a gray season, and how my ornaments and small works make meaningful gifts.
It ran as a full feature in their winter issue, complete with a photo of my work and a write-up. That doesn’t happen because you ask to be featured. It happens when you give people something that feels right for their audience.
The same thing happened with the Art Coaching Club Podcast.
I was already a listener, and I noticed that while they covered a lot about building an art practice, they hadn’t really talked about what it looks like to do that without wanting to go full-time.
So I pitched a conversation around that exact gap. I explained why I thought it would resonate with their audience and how it fit naturally into the conversations they were already having, and why I was the expert on the topic.
That’s what got the yes. It wasn’t my résumé or a list of accomplishments. It was a thoughtful pitch that centered on what would be valuable for their listeners.
3. My Website Does a Lot of Heavy Lifting
I’m not getting hundreds of daily visits or a flood of online orders. But people the right people are able to find me. They see what I create. They can read about my features and awards. And most importantly, they know exactly how they can contact me.
One of the mural offers came through my contact form. So did a commission request after someone read about me in the magazine.
You don’t need a fancy website. You just need one that works and clearly says what you do, shows your experience, and makes it easy to get in touch.
The Takeaway
I used to think I had to do more to be “successful.” Now I know better.
The biggest opportunities I’ve had came from getting clear on whether an opportunity was right for me.
You don’t have to be full-time to take yourself seriously. You don’t have to wait until your calendar clears, your inbox is empty, or your kids are older.
You just have to show up with confidence in what you bring. As an artist, you can’t only think, “I need this sale.” You have to think, “What’s in it for them?” and pitch from that place.
TLDR: What’s working for me
I pitch stories, not bios
I say no to what doesn’t feel aligned
I built a website that gives people what they need
I make it easy for people to say yes to me
That’s it. No 10-step funnel or influencer strategy. Just clarity, consistency, and a little courage.
If you’re trying to grow your art practice without quitting your job or doing a million things at once, I hope this gives you a few ideas.
You don’t have to be everywhere. You just have to be where it counts. Opportunities have a funny way of finding people who are ready.
🩵
Justine
