Those of us with a penchant for the visual arts dream of transforming our passion into a profit and make our mark in this highly lucrative yet niche industry. However, very few have been able to turn their dreams into reality. Whether it’s lack of direction with their respective styles or their inability to find gallery representation, many fail long before they’ve even begun to walk the path of an artist.
The fact of the matter is that succeeding as an artist is neither a predictable nor straight process. But as the saying goes, nothing that’s easy is worthwhile. And just because the road is paved with challenges and difficulties, it doesn’t mean that achieving the desired outcome is beyond the realm of possibility. To this end, here are some strategies that will give you what it takes to succeed in your career as an artist.
Have a clear definition of what success means to you
To achieve success as an artist, you must first define what it means to you as this can vary significantly from one to the other. For some, it can be the satisfaction of producing something that is as unique as it is innovative. Others may be in it for the thrill and enjoyment of expressing their ideas. And by determining what motivates you – be it money or recognition – you’ll be able to focus on your goals and prioritize all your efforts much easier than you would have otherwise.
Remain consistent with your production
If there’s a single quality that many artists have in common, it’s their commitment to their creative work. They’re not afraid to put in work and produce art. And since generating a steady revenue out of selling pieces is partly about quantity, having a good selection of work for prospective buyers is necessary to sustain your livelihood.
Whether you’re working full-time or part-time artist, make sure that you allocate enough time to remain consistent with your production. Set a schedule to give yourself some breathing room. It may take a lot of hard work and discipline, but it’s necessary if you want to improve your skills and create a salable body of art.
Create exposure for your work
Not unlike any other business, succeeding in the art industry requires exposure. When you get right down to it, no matter how skilled of an artist you are, it’s unlikely that your pieces will get the attention or the sales that it deserves if people are unaware of their existence. And by building awareness for your pieces on multiple fronts – from galleries and art festivals to social media – you’ll be able to find and secure your target audience.
Pursuing a successful career in fine arts may not be easy, but it’s by no means an impossibility. And with dedication and a lot of hard work, you’ll surely reach the objectives and present yourself with more opportunities to grow and thrive as an artist.
Photo Attribution:
1st and featured image from https://adcfineart.com/blogs/news/5-steps-to-achieve-your-art-career-goals-faster
2nd image from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/career-arts-lets-get-real-stacey-goodman
