Yellowknife (July 21/03) - Besides art, Brendalynn Trennert and Archie Beaulieu are really good at selling themselves.

The two are successful artists dedicated to their work and to making a living doing what they love.

Beaulieu, 50, is from Rae-Edzo and has been supporting himself through the sale of his acrylic paintings for the past 28 years.

He sells hundreds of paintings, prints, art cards and commissioned pieces a year which produce between $30,000 and $50,000 annually.

He has little formal training except a 30-day stint at the Banff Fine Arts school to learn how to mix colours.

"The rest is self taught -- I was born an artist," he said, adding his grandmother inspired and encouraged him.

After years of struggling with style and marketing, his abstract pieces are now world renowned.

"Sometimes I'd say to myself 'I'd like to throw my brush away,'" he said of the struggles with getting steady funding.

But good artwork only goes so far. He said marketing yourself and your name is paramount.

"I'd do anything to promote my work," he said during a break at the Great Northern Arts Festival.

"No matter how struggling you are, work on that name."

Trennert couldn't agree more. For seven years the Inuvialuit earned a living by selling the unique caribou tufting designs she is now famous for.

"If I can't sell myself then I can't sell my artwork," said Trennert, who had to overcome shyness to be successful.

When asked how much she has made from her work she smiles and modestly says: "I've never starved".

"It kept me going for seven years with a little bit of funding here and there."

The 34 year-old has taught thousands of people her craft and sold hundreds of pieces including many commissioned ones.

Her main marketing strategy is selling at art shows like the Great Northern Arts Festival. There she does demonstrations, hosts workshops and networks to get her name out.

When she started she was told she wouldn't get more than $25 a piece by an art show jury.

"There was an urge to prove I can go beyond $25 and five-pedal flowers," she recalls.

Although she still sells $25 pieces, she can get as much as $2,400.

"I never wanted a picture to be out of reach of the normal person but price follows title and so does demand. The better you get the more you're wanted and the higher the price. Price has to follow status."

Get to know the market

Understanding what the market wants and can handle is important if you want your art to sell.

"You need to understand the value of your work and believe in that value," said Trennert.

Beaulieu knows not everyone can afford a $2,500 original so he makes prints and cards, which helps smooth out the ups and downs between selling the big ticket items.

"Some people can't afford a $350 print but they can afford a $3.50 card."

He also believes his artistic talent evolves. He sees new ideas and niches to use his talent to make money. He recently completed a two-year jewellery making course and intends to start working with Yellowknife gold and diamonds.

And both agree an artist can never underestimate the power of a good art gallery. Trennert and Beaulieu swear by their galleries who help promote and sell their work year round.

"Art galleries are there for you," said Beaulieu.

But have a lawyer look at any gallery agreement before you sign it, warns Trennert.

"If you sign something they can tie you to them for years of life and dictate what you can do."