I spent 20+ years on-the-road as an art rep selling my own art and that of many other artists and fine art publishers.  In some years I sold $20,000 - $30,000 worth of images I created using a “kind-of” airbrush look allowing me to utilize hand-cut stencils to produce duplicate images in a variety of color ways.  I signed these with a nom-de-brush: “Claude” short for Claude Le Chat, the artist of record.  Claude was my pet Chat, who liked to add a paw print or two if not watched carefully.  I referred to these as "limited" (I could only stand doing a limited number before tiring of the image) and I numbered them serially using roman numerals.  There was no set number in the edition, which remained “open” until I ran out of patience or ready buyers.

I did not hide my name because I was ashamed of the work.  If the designer didn’t like the art he or she might feel hesitant about saying, “That really stinks!” for fear of hurting my feelings and limiting my chance to find out what would suit better so I could sell another artist’s work that was more appropriate.  I ALWAYS tried to provide the best art for the job, no matter whose work it was.  If I was looking out for my pocketbook and not my customer’s best interest, I wasn’t doing my job as a rep. 

Just be sure your buyers make out the check in your name or the name of your business entity, whether corporation, LLC, partnership or sole proprietor - usually the name on your bank account.  I don't recommend taking cash and trying to hide the income - that's bad business and dishonest, too.

My art rep company was a corporation and the expense of doing business, from travel and insurance, car expenses, use of part of my home as a studio, etc. were all tax deductible.  The same is true for an individual using a Schedule C to report expenses.  Every artist should have a knowledgeable accountant to turn to.  His fees are also tax deductible. 

I'm now retired, sharing what I learned about selling art in podcasts on www.salestipsforartists  and as blogs on http://salestipsforartistscom.blogspot.com.  All are FREE.  I've just added a link where readers or listeners who opt-in to receive an email when new material is posted may win a beautiful fine art print by one of my favorite artists, Ken Hawk.  Please feel free to look-in and email a question or comment on any art related subject.

Dick Harrison (aka Claude LeChat)

www.salestipsforartists.com

http://salestipsforartistscom.blogspot.com/