Make It As An Artist: 9 Elements To Empower You

1. Discover your unique style and let it shine

When it comes to developing your style and art medium, pay attention to what you naturally gravitate towards. Chances are, that’s where you’ll have the most fun and be able to push boundaries. But if it’s not, don’t worry! Don’t try to force it.

If you’re feeling stuck, consider experimenting with different mediums and let your style come out naturally from within you. For example, if you always make small sketches maybe what you actually need is to attack a super large canvas with colourful paints. You never know if you like something until you try it.

Just be yourself and you will be able to create work that is authentic, meaningful, and reflective of who you are as an artist. Remember that your unique style is what makes your work recognizable and memorable.

2. The Value of Hard Work and Perseverance

Hard work and perseverance are essential for making it as an artist because the road to success can be long and difficult, with many rejections and disappointments along the way. So work hard and persevere through tough times, and you will be able to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals. No one else is going to do it for you.

One of the best feelings for me is after I have persevered through a process or project that was particularly challenging and I come out the other side with this incredible feeling of pride and satisfaction for completing it.

These kinds of successes can give you confidence and momentum for the next challenging project. It’s not only about making the artwork or reaching the end of the project but also the satisfaction of overcoming the challenges and obstacles along the way.

3. Staying Informed in Your Field

To be a successful artist, it is important to stay informed about what is happening in your field. This means keeping up with new exhibitions, competitions, and other opportunities where you can showcase your work and get it seen by more people. If you’re looking for a first easy step, have a look at what artisan or community markets are in your area where you could have an art stall.

Also, depending on what medium you make art with, staying informed about new techniques and technologies can help you improve your skills and make your work more competitive. Finally, staying informed can help you understand the history and current state of your field, which can give you a deeper understanding of your work and the context in which you create it.

4. Networking and Building Relationships

Building relationships with other artists and people in the industry is important for success as an artist. This can be done by attending events, joining groups, participating in online communities, and collaborating with other artists. Building relationships can open up new opportunities and provide support and guidance. It’s important to be genuine and approach networking authentically. Building relationships takes time and effort but it will ultimately benefit you in the long run.

Personally, I have two close friends who are also artists and we support each other even though we can’t always meet up often. We message each other to share our progress pictures, cheer each other on and share our thoughts on each other’s work. I am also part of a few Facebook art groups and follow other artists in a variety of media to keep connected and updated. It’s a great way to stay informed and connected with other artists, getting inspiration, and support.

5. Keep Improving

It’s important to continue learning and improving as an artist. This can be done through taking classes, experimenting with new techniques, and getting feedback on your work. There are a lot of videos on YouTube of artists sharing their knowledge and experience that you can learn from.

Just remember not to put too much pressure on yourself and to go at your own pace. Finding a balance between learning and improving while not feeling overwhelmed is key.

6. Planning for Success

Setting goals and focusing on the most important ones is important for success as an artist. This can be done by creating a vision for your future and breaking it down into small, achievable goals. Being honest with yourself and focusing on what you can realistically achieve given your current resources is also important. Reviewing and adjusting your goals regularly will help you stay on track and motivated.

I have notebooks full of schemes and ideas, and I find that writing down my goals and creating an action plan is powerful for me. It helps me to get my ideas out of my head and make them more tangible. If you don’t do this already, I highly recommend trying it. It’s an effective way to help you succeed!

7. Gaining Visibility

Self-promotion and marketing are critical for success as an artist because it is how you get your work seen by potential buyers, collectors, and other industry professionals. By promoting and marketing your work effectively, you can increase your visibility and reach a wider audience. Here are some suggestions:

• Post your art on social media and interact with people who might be interested in buying it.
• Join online art groups and forums to connect with other artists and show your art
• Enter art contests or submit your art to be shown in exhibitions
• Connect with other artists and professionals in the art industry to get opportunities to show your art.

8. Staying Balanced

Taking care of your physical and mental health and maintaining a balance between work and personal life is important for artists. This can be hard for us artists because creating art is an integral part of us and it can be hard to switch off.

Here’s what we gotta do: eat well, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, set boundaries between work and personal time, and take time to relax and do things we enjoy (other than art!).

I personally struggle with getting enough sleep sometimes because my creative mind is going around with ideas or the next things I need to do. What I find helps me is getting up, making tea and writing it down, getting it out of my mind, and telling myself it can wait until tomorrow. Sleep has to come first so I can function and give my best.

It’s important to make these things a priority and figure out what works for you. Be kind to yourself, take care of your mental health and manage stress and negative emotions by talking to friends and family, seeking professional help, and doing things that make you feel good. By taking care of yourself, you’ll be able to stay motivated and productive and avoid burnout.

9. Stay Committed

Being passionate and dedicated to your art is what helps you to stay motivated and to keep moving forward, even when things get tough. It is what helps you to overcome obstacles and to achieve your goals as an artist.

Think about what makes you feel the way you do about creating your own artwork. Why do you have the urge to paint or sculpt, etc? Me, I get restless if I haven’t been able to paint something. Like it needs to get out of me and onto paper or canvas, whether it’s just for me or to share with other people. Understanding this urge and connecting with the feeling of passion for your art will help you stay motivated and dedicated to your craft.

Reflecting on your motivations and the emotions that drive you to create can help you stay connected to your passion and to the reason why you became an artist in the first place.

Follow Your Passion

To wrap up, being a successful artist takes hard work, staying informed, and connecting with other people in the industry. It’s important to be passionate and dedicated to your art, and to remember that it’s not only about the final product but also about the process and learning along the way.

It’s essential to remind yourself why you started and to stay committed to your passion. Keep working hard, stay open to change, and always strive to improve your skills. Remember to be yourself and listen to your intuition. Trust your instincts, and let your unique style and perspective shine through in your work.

You got this!

If you need some extra encouragement, this article is all about making it happen as an artist, from submitting a proposal to making a mural:

Share Your Thoughts:

Thanks for reading this article. What are some steps you take to stay dedicated and committed to your art? Please share with us in the comments!

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”

– Proverbs 16:3

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