How does an Artist promote his art to the right people to get the reputation so his art sells for thousands?

Question

I get told all the time that I'm wasting away and that I should be making something bigger, but honestly how does an artist get the reputation to sell his art for thousands? If it were so simple I think I would have found out by now

Answer 1

Even back in the days of Picasso, Rembrandt, and Da Vinci they worked under commission. This means they worked for noble people and that is how they made money. There are many small art galleries you can take work to and they can tell you if they are willing to try to sell it or not. Educating yourself and the types of art people actually get paid for would help. Art Management is a growing field, and is what I have my degree in. This doesn't mean I correlate museum work. Art management is anything from running a non-profit (large majority of all art organizations) to stage hands, music manager. Try finding a local organization that is painting morals, maybe a coffee house that will post local art work. You can't make any money unless you put yourself out there, that may mean putting yourself out there for free.  

Answer 2

One of my best friends is a professional artist. She struggled for years to make a living even though she was IMMENSELY talent.

Then, about 10 years ago, she won second prize in the BP Portrait Awards, and then the following year she won first.  Now she enters every portrait competition she can and usually gets placed somewhere, even if just commended. She now has two portraits in the National and regularly gets offered commissions in excess of £20k.

So maybe that's the answer. Get noticed via a high-profile competition and let someone else handle your publicity for you!