Micki Wilde Artist Interview
Artist Micki Wilde talks about teaching online art classes and selling art on Etsy.
Micki Wilde Bio
My painting process is a fusion of pre-planned and intuitive work with
the main aim being to create a thought provoking visual tale. My work is approached in a light-hearted manner with the hope to charm and endear it’s characters to the onlooker and draw them in to my wondrous and whimsical world.
I work with a range of different mediums but typically I use; Paint, watercolour crayons, inks and pencils to create layers and help these stories unfold on to the canvas.
Please tell us what you do?
I am mostly self taught but did take a few online classes many years ago. My favourite online class teachers were Mindy Lacefield, Mystele Kirkeeng and Misty Mawn.
Can you share what percentage of your income
comes selling your art and what comes from
courses?
Currently my income is 50/50 with the paintings and online classes but until recently it was more 30/70 with the online classes being the bigger earner.
Please tell us about selling art on Etsy?
I have been selling on Etsy now since 2010. I don’t usually have more than 50 items in my shop, I like to keep it looking fresh and new.
Is Etsy a good way for artists to market their work?
Yes, I think so, Etsy can bring more traffic than a stand alone website.
Does your Etsy shop bring clients for your classes?
I sell my online classes directly from my Etsy shop alongside my artwork as well as on my own separate online class site. I think they complement each other nicely.
Do you think online courses are a good way for
artists to earn money?
Online classes can be a good way to earn money if you put in the time and effort that is needed to run them. I think although there are a lot of online classes out there, there is still a place for everyone as is the same with artwork in general, more art makes for a happier world. I think earning an income from art can be hard and you definitely need to put in the hours to see the results but the same could be said of many things.
If you could start over, what would you do
differently?
Nothing, I am happy on the journey that has been mapped out for me.
What advice do you have for aspiring artists?
I always give the same advice really to everyone not just artists…..If you love it, do it. If you don’t love it, try something else until you find what it is you truly love to do.
Micki Wilde’s Most Popular Art Class: The Storytellers
A fun ‘storyteller animals’ themed mini class with a whimsical face tutorial plus four ‘Storyteller’ paintings.
For this mini online class, Micki has created some wonderfully whimsical animal paintings with a pastel colour theme.
Micki Wilde Links
Get more artist interviews by signing up for the email list! Go to Online Art Classes.