Tips for Starting Your Art Career

Have some of the those messages been said to you or have you played that reel in your head before?

Society use to stereotype artists by putting them all in a box, saying, “get a real job”…”you’ll end up a starving artist”. I remember hearing those negative messages when I was growing up, but luckily not from anyone I knew.

I was 14 when I got my first job working at The Scoop, a local ice cream shop. When I was a junior and senior in high school I was in the co-op program where I went to school for 3 hours then worked 3 hours. After high school, I just assumed I would continue working like everyone else. I even went to college and tried desperately to find something that interested me enough that I thought I could do it for the rest of my life. Those negative thoughts about being an artist were still in my head as I searched and searched for a “real” career. I was not only wasting time but money. Finally, my heart won over and I switched my major to fine art.

I was lucky enough to have parents that supported my artistic endeavors when I was growing up and respected my decision to get an art degree. I was also lucky enough to marry a man that loves me for who I am….and I am an artist. Having that support around me has played an important role in the fact that I’ve been a self-employed artist since 1994.

I can’t imagine my life any other way. I am an artist. It’s who I am as much as my voice, my physicality, my spirit.

Over the years I have learned a thing or two that might be of help to you if you are contemplating an art career.

Six Tips to Keep In Mind When Starting Your Art Career

1. Create a support team. If you want to follow your heart and make a living as an artist, make sure to surround yourself with people who support you. There are nay-sayers around every corner but the same is true for people who will encourage and inspire you. You get to decide who you let into your life. Make choices that will help you grow and blossom.
2. Don’t let anyone crush your creativity….especially YOU. You can be your own worst critic and give up before the most beautiful creations come out. It can be intimidating to share your art with others for fear of what they might say but don’t let those fears stop you. Keep creating until you are so happy with your art that you just have to share it! If you love it, you will find others that will too. You will develop an audience over time.
3. Don’t expect everyone to love your art. We are all different. Take music for example, some people like classic rock, some like country, some like the blues and so on. The same is true for art.
4. Don’t take rejection personally. Be confident in who you are and be confident in your art. Just because someone doesn’t love your art, doesn’t mean it’s not good art. Just keep searching for what works for you; everybody’s story is different.
5. Never give up. I believe the most important part of being an artist is to keep creating. Your art will change and evolve over the years just as you change and evolve. You will develop a style that is as unique as you are. Also, in the beginning of your career, it is rare for someone to make a good living as an artist. Keep going. You create art because you love it. Don’t create art specifically for money. The money will come over time after you hone your skills and develop a following.
6. Get your art out there. It’s easier to make a living as an artist today than any other time in history. The internet has made the world small. You can reach an audience that spans the globe by selling your art online. If you are just starting and not ready to sell your art but would like some feedback, below are some ways to use the internet to test the waters.
   1. Create a business Facebook page and post pictures of your art.
   2. Share your art on Pinterest.
   3. Sell your art on Etsy….licensees have been know to scroll through Etsy looking for art to put on their products.
   4. Start a blog.

Now, this time, read the entire sculpture from left to right and you will read the TRUTH about being an artist.

Check out this article about social media for artists.

Tagged as: art career