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Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

So, Does Anyone Know About Any Artist That Went To Prison For 25 Years?

I am best known for realism that captures the viewer. My story is one that is more colorful than what most people could ever imagine - a former soldier of the 82nd Airborne Division - Gulf War veteran, Bank Robber and now a returning citizen. With my limited resources for 25 years while incarcerated in the darkness of Federal Prison, I honed my skills with limited resources producing beautiful works of art that earned me a Masters in Art. As a role model I caught the attention of my sentencing judge and he attempted to get my draconian sentence commuted. Today I continue to improve my art and strives to bring joy to the heart and soul for people to see.

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Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

I am looking for advice as I enter into this market outside of prison, it was easy to sell art in prison. I want to do art full time and not be tied down to a no-end job that doesn't allow for my creativity. Living in Hawaii is not easy, the cost of living is through the ROOF, pay is low and rent is high. I was relocated to Hawaii to be with family and they had to move because of the military. Relocation is out of the question, it took me 2 years to relocate and to have that done again is out of the question. Federal probation in NC, the origin of my case, would make me move to NC. NC is not to friendly to asian caucasians, when living there with my family, we were subjected to a lot a racism. I was in a lot of confrontations, my mother was refused service at many locations for being Okinawan and list keeps going.

Now in Hawaii, I am hanging in there :)

 

Dean Harte

5 Years Ago

Welcome back Larry. May I ask why it was easy to sell in prison? Is there any way that you can continue tapping into that market?

I've quickly checked your work and I can definitely see you selling. The art market however is highly saturated and one of the biggest challenges facing artists is simply getting seen by potential buyers. There are several threads on the site about marketing. Marketing is hard work though and may still not yield you any sales. It's also a long-term endeavour that will not immediately yield results for most artists.

There are some members here who regularly sell (I am not one of them) who will swing by shortly with other tips. You seem to like fantasy-esque art (the women). Maybe try to tap into popular series like Game of Thrones and such? However, be mindful of copyright. That's a whole other can of worms though.

One market that I think you should look closer to is the tourist market. Maybe draw their portraits and try and sell landscapes of typical Hawaiian scenes that tourists might want to take home as a souvenir? Would it be possible to maybe rent a small stall somewhere ?

It might not give you the full creativity that you are after but perhaps it will give you a financial basis of sorts. Making a full time living with just art is going to be tough. I hope you make it happen!

www.deanharte.com





 

Edward Fielding

5 Years Ago

Wanting doesn't always match with reality. Plenty of great artists want to live solely off their artwork but I have seen only a small percentage who do and it took them many years to get to that point.

Most teach or have some other day job to make ends meet.

In Hawaii you have access to millions of International tourists coming and going -- figure out what they want buy and how to get your work in front of them. Hang out at the galleries, listen and observe.

 

Mike Savad

5 Years Ago

for starters you must have great pictures of your work:

Sell Art Online
this won't print, and there is no prices anyway. you have to make sure its sharp, straight and is cropped clean. they should also be captured large.

your portraits have to be 100% your own, and it can't be from a photo you didn't take, i would also avoid famous people because they have been known to sue. talent wise you can sell it. but, you need a large portfolio, with a consistent style and themed works. it takes a very long time to get established and you will not sell right away, even if you have a lot of work.

your best bet is to find a job some place over there, and sell this on the side. art is usually a hobby, hard to make money from. most want to quit their boring job and be an artist, but its hard. your either advertising or your creating. any job has got to be better than being locked up.


you would also have to figure out what would be best to sell. personally i would focus on animals, specifically dogs and cats, maybe pet birds. take the picture yourself, do it from your imagination or get it from places like pixabay.com. don't grab it from the web, a quick google search allows anyone to find it and trace it back.

get a scanner and scan these in nicely. put in keywords and descriptions.

i saw sold on at least one of them - your best bet maybe to try to sell it in person.


----Mike Savad
http://www.MikeSavad.com

 

Suzanne Powers

5 Years Ago

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Lise Winne

5 Years Ago

Are you living in a part of Hawaii that is full of tourists? If so, I would appeal to them to get your art career rolling.

Maybe start with greeting cards and tote bags. I'm from a tourist area and that is what got the ball rolling for me.

Start-up costs are a good scanner (with a computer that won't die on you), a program for editing like Photoshop, and enough to buy your first greeting card or tote bag run.

 

Mike Savad

5 Years Ago

i would focus on local scenes in hawaii. sunsets, volcano's, hula girls and then sell local. try not to make general things anyone might have.

----Mike Savad
http://www.MikeSavad.com

 

Roger Swezey

5 Years Ago

Larry, since you create wonderful TANGIBLE Art, I would suggest selling your work at TANGIBLE face to face shows.

There is nothing like the public not only seeing your work, but being actually with it, breathing, touching, smelling, LIVING it.

0's and 1's can never replace paint.

You got to Get Out There and HUSTLE!!

 

JC Findley

5 Years Ago

Welcome back Larry.

Your story is an interesting one and I have to say your comment on the draconian sentence is spot on. Prison reform, or more appropriately criminal justice system reform needs to be a priority. While I certainly believe someone that violates the law should serve their time you seem to have done that many times over with a a sentence considerably disproportionate for the acts. Yes, that is bordering on political which is not allowed here on the forum but you are an example of being steamrolled by the system.

Anyway, jumping out and making a living off art alone is tough. It CAN be done but as others have said you will need to find a way to generate income quickly. It could be using your art to cater to the tourist industry as some have suggested above. It could be tending bar or waiting tables both of which can pay pretty well in HI. When I suddenly found myself jobless with few prospects in my field when I was around your age I decided to try and give the art alone thing a go. I supplemented income at times waiting tables or taking odd jobs. As a photographer it was easier to build a largeish portfolio relatively quickly which helps.

The work you have up is really well done but to make a living off it you will either need a lot more of it from print sales OR find a way to sell fewer pieces for higher amounts. Both are possible but both take effort.

You have an interesting back story that can be used to garner interest in your work. Be careful how you word it as you don't want to come of as a victim even if you have been to a large extent. You ARE a survivor and how you overcame or are overcoming your disadvantages can be used to your benefit. High dollar sales will never come from pity but WILL come from respect.

I would like to say things have changed a lot in 25 years and you won't find any racism in NC these days. I would like to say is the key phrase there but being an old white guy I cannot say if it is gone or not. I do know that there has been a lot of change in NC and I know there are large parts of it that are not judgemental or racist. Take that for what it's worth which isn't much.

Welcome back sir.

 

Suzanne Powers

5 Years Ago

Larry, Wow, your realistic style is stunning! Congratulations on making it through and coming out with a trade and a Masters Degree. Your work looks like it was painted by someone with an art education. I say that with respect, the work is usually superior. Prison may actually be your silver lining. There are many who dream about doing what they love but are tied down with a full time job and family. I've been in the situation where I get home from work, no family to care for have the time but exhausted. You matriculated and came out a winner as an artist a productive citizen with an enviable ability to paint well. I see you as a roll model. People love a success story.

You already get that and are working that part of your experience. I would not say how many years you were in prison in the beginning of your profile (I know you put it there to get our attention) - it may concern people since you are newly out. It would be different if you had been out for years with good citizenship under your belt. It concerned me when I read the years in your title. We don't know you and are being cautious because some past inmates go back to their old habits. You don't want to be judged unfairly until they know some things about you. You could mention the years after talking about how hard you worked in prison, achieving your degree and being a model inmate. Possibly right now you may want to leave that part out as JC said. Depending on your emphasis you don't want that being the main thrust of your profile.

It seems Dean, Edward, Mike and JC have good advice. We all know on the forums they sell with regularity here and on other sites. The only difference is they sell photography images and you paint. A painter friend sells regullary to galleries which doesn't mean you can't sell prints here. They can both work symbiotically with one helping the other. It took some years for her to achieve her success (she sells in several galleries). You are talented and will do well. In sync with what Edward said check out the galleries and see which ones sell your style of work. If they have 1st Fridays in a big city that is a good place to introduce your work to the art crowd. Where I live on 1st Fridays artists can sell their art on the street to a ready market of art lovers and gallery owners.

 

Joy McKenzie

5 Years Ago

Larry, there's some general info here (it's more of a promotional and community site):

https://theprisonartscoalition.com/gallery/

Your work is spot on and beautiful. That Steven Tyler... yes, sir! :)

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Aloha Dean Harte,
While in prison, I painted many different subjects - sci-fi / fantasy, architecture renderings, landscapes, seascapes, wildlife, still life, tattoo designs for tattoo artists, and many many portraits.

The hustle in art while in prison is an easy one, the person that does photo realism and tattoo designs get all the business.

I learned this very quickly and became known throughout the federal prison system by both inmate and staff. When I was transferred to another prison, inmates already knew I was coming and wanted work done. Now that I am in a different world I must work on a new game plan.

Thank you for your input. I will work on this. :)

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Aloha Joy McKenzie,
Thank you for the compliment and the contact link. I will look into this. :)

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Aloha Mike Savad,
I just uploaded a new photo of the "Gorilla". It is now available.

As for the portraits, the photos were purchased through a site for artists to use. The photos come B/W and the project topic assignments for my master dealt with portraits.

I have looked into the market on the island and it is very competitive here. Galleries have told me that I need to have my own gallery as the main artist would be intimidated by my works.

With this new global market, I will be putting my work in as many places possible. Also working on opening my own gallery with a recent LLC application approved. :)

Mahalo for your advice. :)

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Aloha Roger Swezey,

Thank you for your wonderful advice, old school is solid and in the art world will always prevail. The collectors want to see the tangible and nor the 0's and 1's. I am in total agreement with you, but for now I am working on selling in all areas and this is a great way to get my name branded. :)

 

Ronald Walker

5 Years Ago

Hi Larry, nice work! Two quick things before I start, first I don't sell on this site although I have a couple of things offered so if your goal is to sell things from here take whatever I say with a grain of salt. Secondly I am not a realist and have very little interest in realism so keep that in mind as well. As far as the advice you have received here I would not disagree with any of it. Since you are living in a heavy tourist area you might consider local scenes and legends for subject mater. Perhaps local wildlife and plants as well? You might be able to make extra money by making postcards of your work or posters to sell at the local trinket stores. In any case best of luck in your future!

 

Robert Frank Gabriel

5 Years Ago

Hey, no problem. Start with John Wayne Gacy. His art is currently being sold here on Fine Art America.

https://fineartamerica.com/art/john+wayne+gacy

John Wayne Gacy was one of the most famous serial killers to come out of the 1970s, a part-time clown who murdered 33 young men and boys and hid their corpses in the crawlspaces of his house. Between 1972 and 1978...

My friend married his sister. lol...altho I shouldn't laugh.

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Aloha Robert Frank Gabriel,

Thank you for the link and advice.

While in prison I had a guy in Florida that wanted me to do portraits of John Wayne Gacy, it didn't click with me on painting his portrait. I've done portraits of many criminals, mostly gangsters like Al Capone, Bugsy Malone, and a few others. I haven't a clue why I didn't feel like painting or drawing his image, it just didn't click. Art does that to me sometimes.

Lol...that your friend married his sister.

 

Abbie Shores

5 Years Ago

Robert, one of my brothers married our step mum... It happens

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Aloha Edward Fielding,

I have been to the main galleries in Waikiki and looked at the works that are there. Most of the art is island related and some are still life and others are bronze sculptures of animals with a Steam Punk look. I spoke with gallery managers and the main artists for those galleries. They said I need to have my own gallery.

I recently went to Art on the Fence at the Honolulu Zoo and spoke with the secretary over the organization. She gave me information on how to join and I will be doing this soon, as most of my works are large compared to what is on the fence. 16x20 or smaller is what the tourists purchase. Mine are 18x24 or larger for island related art. Also, I need to get the works in giclee print in different sizes. Most of the artists at this make a good living, selling 10 or more pieces on the days the works are displayed.

As for teaching. I have applied to instruct and no luck.

Thank you for looking out.

 

Mike Savad

5 Years Ago

your better off showing your face in your avatar, rather than rotating work that you can't even sell. that image you show - must be scanned in. it can't be a person (you?) holding it in the middle of traffic. doesn't seem i can click on it. in any case a face attracts more attention than art, because people expect to see a face of some kind.


for some reason wanted posters are liked. you could paint the famous mobsters, those may do well. and they can't sue because they are dead. i would avoid the current ones, you wouldn't want to be a part of a hit job.

----Mike Savad
http://www.MikeSavad.com

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Aloha Mike Savad,

The photo is from the MLK Jr. Parade in Waikiki, Hawaii last. month. The photo was taken by the local news paper cameraman. The photo was used for the paper the next day on the front cover. I wasn't holding up traffic. I was part of the traffic for about 2 miles of walking in the parade with the Honolulu Friends Meeting House Quakers of Hawaii and many other groups and organizations marching for peace and justice.

shows like Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy, and other gang related shows tend to draw people to the criminal wanted art. I have actually done work for some big mobsters in prison. They wanted something done for family, wife, daughter, niece, etc..

 

Mike Savad

5 Years Ago

the point is, this is a store, and if you want proper attention the avatar should be of you.

i would stay away from shows, movies and actors that are alive, they have a right to their own face and how its used or sold. and you could get in trouble if you use them. that's why its better to do al capone and so on. though doing work for mobsters, at least you know they should have the money.


----Mike Savad
http://www.MikeSavad.com

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Aloha Mike,
The photo is me at an event in Waikiki with over 15,000 in attendance. Others use pics of the bottom half of a face with a cig in the mouth, store fronts, graphic designs, their image with other artists and/or art, pics of nature and so forth.

Here are your words, "your better off showing your face in your avatar, rather than rotating work that you can't even sell. that image you show - must be scanned in. it can't be a person (you?) holding it in the middle of traffic. doesn't seem i can click on it. in any case a face attracts more attention than art, because people expect to see a face of some kind."

So what is your avatar? It definitely is not human. Maybe a orc of some sort, a mutant pig? I don't know. It definitely is not you. So why are you getting on my case about the avatar image. I tried to click on yours many times and nothing happened.

As for the celebrity images, there are many Royalty-Free sites that allow for artists to get images, stock photos, vectors, illustrations and more. My current paintings of celebrities are from the royalty-free image sites.

-LS

 

Mike Savad

5 Years Ago

my avatar rotates every month. this month is the year of the pig for chinese new year, but its always a face with a mustache.

your basically asking how to sell right? a part of that is grabbing attention, and one of those ways is with an avatar that people will notice and click on. you don't have to change it, but i think it would better if you do. you should have ended up in my store clicking on it.

be certain, royalty free or not, there is often a catch of what you can do with those images. like documentary might be ok, but it might not be ok to sell them and such. more than that, the image can be used, it doesn't mean the famous person allowed it to be up there. its just something to think about, while famous people don't always go after you, there are a few that do. a certain singer of which i forget her name, mr t. and a few others.


----Mike Savad
http://www.MikeSavad.com

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Aloha Mike,

Thanks for the advice.
Have a nice day!

-LS

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Aloha Ronald Walker,

Thank you for your comments, I will keep your advice in mind on selling to the high tourist areas.

I looked at your works. Very nice, creative and imaginative.

Mahalo,

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Aloha Joy McKenzie,

Thank you for the info. I will look into this.

Also, thank you for the compliment on the Steven Tyler. I like the organization he has started for women. That is what inspired me to paint his image. :)

-LS

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Aloha Suzanne Powers,

Thank you for your valuable advice.

The push for success has many obstacles for the opportunity to learn. I have learned that a master is a student that is on continual improvement. Being content with a comfy life of work, TV, eat, sleep, party on payday then repeat brings stagnation. Never improving on oneself and moving forward to make a difference.

Being in the military and growing up in a military family, I saw many soldiers and military families content with their mundane lives. They think getting a good education, finding a stable job and trying to save for retirement is what life is all about. This daily living isn't for the creative person. I seems to make us uncomfortable so we create to get into our comfort zone.

I will listen to the advice others give. These are tools to success. The advice comes from the wisdom of experience.

-LS

 

Susan Maxwell Schmidt

5 Years Ago

In that case, I second the suggestion for a portrait avatar over the snapshot you are using. It's more personal. People like personal.


___________
Susan Maxwell Schmidt
So-so Group Moderator,
Sometimes Board Moderator and
Artist Extraordinaire

 

Mario Carta

5 Years Ago

Bank Robbery is no small crime Larry, what were you thinking? Sorry, but coming from a law enforcement background it's not a crime I view as trivial. I certainly believe we all need second chances in life. You paid your debt to society serving your sentence. It's good to hear that you have used your time constructively and are now focused on art.

I wish you continued success in your art endeavors, selling your original art sounds like the fastest way to get established as an artist, have you considered some performance art or setting up a booth where tourist abound so they can see you paint, I have personally found this a good way to sell, people like to meet the artist?

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Aloha Marlo Carta,

Thank you for your belief that people should get a second chance. It really means a lot to me.

I have been working towards being one of the better known artists in Hawaii. A journey worth pursuing. It is interesting you mentioned performance art, something in that arena is the TV/Movie. Recently I have been casted as background in Hawaii Five-0 and Magnum P.I.. I met many people there and connected with them about my story which is a blessing.

Also, I met with a person, going to work one day, that is the secretary for Art of the Fence at the Honolulu Zoo. She gave me the info to get started on selling my work to tourists that go by the Honolulu Zoo in Waikiki. It is definitely a wonderful way to meet people and sell art.

Thanks again for the advice and your support for giving a second chance.

-LS

 

Mario Carta

5 Years Ago

Larry, your work is truly amazing, sometimes from our worst moments in life is born the best of us as you have demonstrated. There is much good to come from your work and your experience and the story you share. You can inspire many others with your story, your art and your life experiences.

 

Edward Fielding

5 Years Ago

"They said I need to have my own gallery."

It is interesting these days. Most of the galleries you see in the tourist areas (like Peter Lik) are self-funded businesses.

Other old school type galleries where the gallery owner chooses artists to represent want to see a huge following. They will only take you on AFTER you show success.

Also keep in mind that the art establishment exists to give art school graduates employed. Federal and private money is funneled to art organizations and spent on buildings and salaries. Actual stand-alone artists are on their own. Most do not live off their work alone. They teach or have some other source of primary income.

....

BTW - nothing wrong with a mundane life of well planned security. It keeps you from the temptation of robbing a bank. "A good education, finding a stable job and trying to save for retirement" has kept many people out of jail.

 

Bradford Martin

5 Years Ago

It is a rare few that can make a reliable image as an artist and rarer still to rely mainly on POD sites. Myself, I keep my days free for photography but I have a very mundane evening job that ensures I have an income no matter what and it looks good when applying for a loan.( or a better job) I agree with most of the opinions already expressed. But allow me to put my 2 cents in on a few things. Just downloading off a so called "Royalty free site" does not always give you the right to sell the art as your own. Most sites have limitations in the fine print. And you have to be sure the person who put it on the site is actually the copyright holder. Many photographers will be glad to let you use their photos as a reference for a small fee or even free.

Don't give up your celebrity work but you will need to tread carefully in those waters and abide by the laws, regardless of what it seems others do. As for you avatar, while it may be an nice photo when enlarged, it does not work as an avatar. An avatar has to make sense at a very small size. I looked at yours a number of times before i could even see what it was. And yes there are some mediocre and bad avatars in these forums. Don't be them.
Here is my checklist for success in print sales. It is a just start and there is a lot of knowledge in these forums if you do some searches.
https://fineartamerica.com/showmessages.php?messageid=4503132

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Aloha Bradford Martin,

I work a full time job and can relate to the mundane and lack of time to do art. What I do see is a lot of opportunity to sell to tourists. So I am working on this endeavor, it's a niche that I need to get into.

I will look into doing something that is not mediocre for my avatar.

Also, many thanks for the link to your checklist. :)

-LS

 

Mike Savad

5 Years Ago

just make a selfie against a nice background. or just leave the gorilla. that at least caught the eye.


----Mike Savad
http://www.MikeSavad.com

 

Abbie Shores

5 Years Ago

I REALLY like the one you're using now with the portrait.

Just so you know

 

Edward Fielding

5 Years Ago

Living in high tourist traffic areas is perfect for artists.

People like to buy reminders of their trip and often the wallets are set to open mode.

I know people who are cheap all year long but then on vacation - look out, they are in spending mode.

That said, tourists are looking for scenes of the islands, not neccessily celebrity portaits.

Take advantage of your surroundings. Celebrity portaits are probably better suited for the streets of Hollywood.

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Aloha Abbie Shore,

Thank you for your support.

-LS

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Aloha Edward Fielding,

I have been studying the area with high tourist traffic and I like that you have reminded me about the tourists like to buy reminders of their trips on spending mode.

Currently I am working on island related work just for this tourist niche.

I will do what I can to take advantage of my surroundings to be successful.

Thank you.

-LS

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Aloha Lise Winne,

Thank you for the advice,I like the idea of greeting card and tote bags. My market will be mainly be in Waikiki so I will add this to my list of items to sell. $$$ :)

-LS

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

What do you think of my profile picture?

 

Abbie Shores

5 Years Ago

I liked the other one.. But this is a good one also

 

Mike Savad

5 Years Ago

the face is ok though a bit red, and the gorilla background makes you blend in. my idea behind an avatar is catching the attention of someone as they scroll past. like look at the page out of the corner of your eye - which ones do you notice? do you notice the bright ones go by? or the dark ones? i see the brighter ones. and from there you might get people clicking (but its hard to know its a science i can't really research).


----Mike Savad
http://www.MikeSavad.com

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Aloha Mike Savad,

Yeah, I'm red from being in the sun...lol :)
I guess I will keep working on my avatar.

-LS

 

Abbie Shores

5 Years Ago

Ok this is annoying me now. Mike, lay off the avatars. Seriously. There is nothing wrong with his headshots at all. It's just your obsession.

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Thanks Abbie. :)

Some people like to make a lot of noise.

 

David Bridburg

5 Years Ago

Larry,

Looks great.

Good luck to you and good sales. All sales are good.

Dave

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Mahalo Dave:)

-LS

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Aloha everyone,

It's now official - I recently filed for an LLC in Hawaii, Schultz Fine Art LLC. :)

 

Abbie Shores

5 Years Ago

Good luck, Larry

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Hi Abbie Shores,

Thank you. :)

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Does anyone know what to charge for a wall mural?

 

Mario Carta

5 Years Ago

Yes, as much as you can get.

 

Larry Schultz

5 Years Ago

Aloha Mario,

Thank you. I will look at the market here. I found one person charging $150.00 per square foot.

-LS

 

This discussion is closed.