Things I Stopped Doing in My Art Business (Art Business Tips)

You know that early stage of being an artist, when you say yes to everything?

Every show, every collab, every opportunity that even smells like art? Yeah.

I was that artist, too.

Until one day I realized my art booth was wedged between a pickle stand and a guy selling balloon animals… and I thought,“What exactly am I doing here?” 😅

So I made some big changes.

Here are the things I completely stopped doing in my art business, and why each “no” made space for bigger, better “yeses.”

1. I stopped selling mugs and stickers at art shows

I used to think selling small items would help “make extra cash” or attract people who couldn’t afford originals.

And while that part was true, it also attracted people who’d rather spend $5 on a sticker than $500 on art.

It slowly hit me that my booth was starting to look like a souvenir shop instead of a fine art gallery.

Collectors want to feel like they’re buying something special, not standing in line for coffee mugs.

👉 Why I stopped: low-value products can cheapen the overall look of your booth and push away serious collectors.

👉 Lesson: If you want to attract fine art buyers, your booth should look like a fine art experience - not a craft fair table.

My art booth long time ago - selling low-value items like stickers and mugs

2. I stopped doing farmers' markets

Nothing against strawberries - I love them! 🍓

But people buying produce at 8 a.m. with reusable bags are not usually in “buy fine art” mode.

I’d wake up at dawn, set up my booth, smell like sunscreen by 9 a.m., and by the end of the day? I’d sell maybe a sticker or two and a whole lot of smiles.

Lovely? Yes. Profitable? Not even close.

👉 Why I stopped: wrong audience.

👉 Lesson: go where your collectors go. Spoiler: it’s not next to the honey stand.

My first Farmers Market booth in a parking lot. I sold a sticker...

3. I stopped doing small local “fun” events

You know the kind, poetry nights, bike races, community pop-ups, .

They’re cozy and creative, but not the right crowd for fine art sales.

👉 Why I stopped: these crowds come to hang out, not invest in art.

👉 Lesson: if people came for entertainment, they probably didn’t bring their collector wallets.

A painting I painted just for this local bike race in hope someone will notice

4. I stopped saying yes to every proposal

For a while, my inbox looked like a “Sure, I’ll do that!” list:

🎨 Paint sports cards? Sure.

💍 Exhibit at a jewelry show? Why not.

🎅 Holiday market in a parking lot? Let’s go!

I was exhausted, confused, and spread thinner than my last layer of tape.

Now, I only say yes if it aligns with my brand, pricing, and energy.

👉 Why I stopped: not every opportunity is an opportunity.

👉 Lesson: Every “yes” to the wrong thing takes time from what actually grows your art career.

5. I stopped underpricing my originals and commissions

I used to price my art like I was apologizing for existing.

You know the feeling when you say your price out loud and immediately add, “But I can give you a discount!” or "But I have a smaller print"

When I finally raised my prices to reflect the skill, experience, and time that go into my work, something magical happened:

The right collectors didn’t blink. They respected it more.

👉 Why I stopped: low prices attract bargain hunters, not art lovers.

👉 Lesson: Price like a professional. You teach people how to value your art by how you price it.

My Original Coffee Art 'Power & Grace' 18x24", Coffee and Gold Leaf 24 K on cotton Paper

6. I stopped painting what other people said would sell

“Paint celebrities - It's a huge exposure!” or " I know someone who knows someone who can give it to them")

“Try abstract, it’s trendy.”

“You should paint dogs with sunglasses.”

I tried some of those ideas, but every time I followed someone else’s “you should,” I lost a bit of me.

The moment I went back to painting what truly inspired me- my coffee art, my imagination, my stories - that’s when collectors started connecting with my work deeply.

👉 Why I stopped: painting for approval kills creativity.

👉 Lesson: your best-selling art is the one that’s most authentic to you.

My first Celebrity portrait - Matthew McConaughey in Coffee

The big takeaway

The moment I stopped trying to be everywhere and everything and to sell to everyone, my art business finally became mine.

My booth feels professional, my audience matches my vision, and my art feels more “me” than ever before.

So if you’ve been saying yes to everything and feeling drained, maybe it’s time to ask: What’s one thing you can stop doing this year to make space for what truly matters?

I’d love to hear your version, share it in the comments, or reply to my email.

With love (and coffee, always),

Meital ☕💛