Bali Expat Forum - Bali Travel Forum

Well said ratih..

Ct

I have to agree with Tintin and Allan, there are way too many galleries in Bali already.

If you are to be in any way successful you must be able to exhibit something that is unique. There are too many galleries here awash with very mediocre abstract art that will never find a market. Speak to any reputable gallery owner or recognised painter and they will all tell you this new style of abstract art 'they can do 10 of these as week'.

A large canvas can be as little as US$80 and reasonably competent, so don't expect to make a fortune.

Tourists that buy art here are looking for something that is 'Balinese' in subject matter.

I am a photographer from Australia recently retired to Bali, and plan myself to work on producing photo-manipulated images hopefully for exhibition at some stage, but my images will be totally 'bali' inspired. If I can successfully exhibit, well and good, but I do not expect to, or need to make a living from it.

Good luck, Manuel and don't expect to much for quite some time.

Balined

Hi guys.
Thank you very much for your answers !!
They open my mind in some points.

Cheers, manu

And for my 2 cents worth...
I'd say you are more likely to make money from your web design knowledge - either doing it, or teaching it (although the teaching aspect might need you to speak Indonesian).

Painting I would see as a more long-term prospect - by all means continue painting as your creative outlet, but don't expect to make money doing it.

As already pointed out, your biggest issue is going to be having the correct visa - which is what made me think of the teaching web design. Perhaps look into that - maybe computer training schools looking for someone with the right skills? And to qualify this suggestion - it is only a suggestion, I have no idea if it is feasible, just something to consider.

Not sure what I said last night to get my post pulled... might happen again tonight but who cares. I will say it again.

Removed a reference to Manuel not being real, if people question the identity of someone, they can contact a moderator

Best to come to bali for 6-12 months and observe the place yourself.

anyone with some common sense and CDF can make a living in Bali,

Just do not expect to be hand fed like in the western world, as long as your not to trusting and learn quick.

Thanks Guys.

I'll be there in three months.
And stay 1 years.

FreoGirl: I think i will do like this, maybe its the best way to find a job in around Computers.
Thank you very much !

The physist-entrepeneur-connection seems a bit weird to me, but I do know that competition for painters is fierce in bali. There are irritably many art-galleries in bali. Ofcourse one can make a living if you are the best, but if you cant live a wealthy life in Italy (i dont say you cant), I dont think you can make a decent living in Bali as a painter. Costs are lower, but income also and you dont have the connections (I assume).

iainsomers,

BaliLife had written

…you're obviously not too much of an entrepreneurial fellow […] you know some people out there actually are able to achieve some things u might percieve (sic) as being difficult

This is in this spirit that I was answering BaliLife's wrong assumption regarding who I am. If he thought that I shied from "difficult" enterprises, I was pointing out that my whole life has been consumed with tackling most difficult problems. According to his definition, I am indeed a most entrepreneurial fellow.

OK, I'll put my 2-senseless in.
What Bali does NOT need more of:
(the list is endless, it's a small and crowded island)
(multiplire of 10 for Westerners)
Artists
Designers
Real Estate Agents
Developers
Shop Owners
Web Developers

The supply for all those services far outstrips demand, which you will soon discover upon landing. Therefore to succeed in any these fields (here or anywhere as far as I'm concerned) requires that you know the market, find a niche (one niche is to actually be experienced in your field ), and fill a need. And that explains how westerners succeed here.

As for painting, I know a few very serious prfessionals, long-time residents, with gallery rep, and they do not have an easy go of it.

As for web designers, I would argue with the person who said there are not enough - there are many, most suck. But many don't and building a site with fine tech guy and a skilled designer. It's gonna be 10+ pgs limited by our imagination and run me $150 including my initial year of searving. That might get an appointment with someone back home - get the picture.

As for web designers, I would argue with the person who said there are not enough - there are many, most suck. But many don't and building a site with fine tech guy and a skilled designer. It's gonna be 10+ pgs limited by our imagination and run me $150 including my initial year of searving.

Can you give an example of their work?

DCC Can you explain WHY you think not need web developers?
But try to explain in a objective way ... not just put a list ... when you dont know what to do ..

I think you wrong and much negative .. I found many people on this forum the try to put down each others.

Thanks ......

Manuel, you're correct regarding people here being fast to slam others, but I think they're trying to help..

Dcc, rgarding too many developers, I know there are a bunch of people in bali who really want to see land development slow, but I know several developers and contractors in bali and they're all doing well at the moment. Let's not blur fact with what we might like to see.. Where you may be correct is that every 2nd person u meet in bali identifies themselves as a 'contractor'.. As though this is a part time hobby, they all suggest they do it on the side.. We met a realtor in bali, who is actually a priest on weekends and a 'contractor' at other times.. Yes I agree guys like that, jack of all trades and masters of none make it seem like there is an oversupply, but whether they can actually do the work is another question.. Just my thoughts..

Ct

Wow how can you all read what I wrote and not understand what I said?

Ok and it's been put forth here many many times - either bring your money or bring a needed skill! Because yes there are many jack of all trades many master of none. People who are doing well here generally know well what they are doing!

Manuel - I'm not putting you down, in fact I told you how to succeed here. But It doesn't sound like you've been here before. Get here on the ground and look for yourself and try to avoid (which I know is difficult for anyone) assumtions. It doesn't matter what you persue here - only you can make it happen.

Honestly about the painting. If I travel half way around the world and want to purchase a painting in Bali who do you think I would want the painter to be? I bet I would prefer a Balinese painter and if I have to tell you why then I would advise not to attempt any self employment here. The westerners I know who paint here sell elswhere!

I'm competing in a very crowded field and so far so good - I know my market, clientel, and my business and I can see clearly enough recognize what the needs are. That's also why I came here to begin with - saw potential and need and knew I could serve it. In fact I feel Bali I where made for each other. I realize I'm lucky there. My low threshold with respect for what goes on business wise here is that you could wipe the map of 3/4's of trade geared to westerners and it would not be missed because the need is not organic. I'll leave it at that for now.

Allan, I'll get back to later with exaples - they're not this computer.

And Manuel when I took the time recently to provide you with some detailed insight to housing and real estate, what'd I get back?

Adelaide - What's CDF? Hope I have that .

DCC wrote:Adelaide - What's CDF? Hope I have that .

• Cognitive Dimensions Framework?
• Common Data Format?
• Comprehensive Development Framework?
• Complexity Distortion Function?
• Consumer Direct Fulfillment?
• Crash Dump Facility?

The mind boggles!