You can have the best art on the planet, but unless you apply positive and proactive beliefs and action steps you may not achieve your career goals. Many of the obstacles we face can be attributed to our own self-sabotaging behavior. So, here are 10 ways to avoid art career sabotage.
This article doesn’t cover all of the pitfalls we should be avoiding. The original article I wrote includes more than 30 points which I’ll save for future posts.
Every one of the 10 points ends with a link to a related article where you can delve into the topic further.
1. Define success according to your own terms.
The path to success begins with a clear and articulate understanding of what success means to you. It shouldn’t be influenced by your parents, teachers, other artists, dealers, or other so called “experts”, unless it resonates with you. It should consist of your well-balanced goals and core values and reevaluated periodically as you and your art career evolve. Read Interview with Artist Nancy Reyner on the Topic of Success.
2. Be proactive, not passive.
We cannot expect positive results to come from inactivity and inertia. Instead of waiting for the golden email to arrive, the phone to ring or the fairy god mother to knock on your door, make it happen. Pick up the phone, send the email, make the connection on social media, go to the gallery opening with the intentions of networking. Don’t want to go out but want to connect with others? Start an art blog. Read The Benefits of Having An Art Blog.
Also read Artist Barbara Rachko Maintains A Superior Art Blog
3. Embrace technology.
The Information Age is moving at lightning speed and has so much to offer. Unless you jump on the train and move forward you’ll find yourself further and further behind. There are no excuses today to avoid learning new skills that can greatly improve your art marketing performance. Make Youtube, podcasts, social media, your website and blog your allies. Ignite the flame of a desire to learn. Read The Art of Self-Education in The Information Age.
4. Join the human race.
If you are like most artists you spend a lot of time alone. You need balance. A healthy, successful art career depends on social interaction, camaraderie, and collaboration. You need to continuously build professional relationships. If you’re not a “people person” at least strive to become a gregarious introvert. Read Successful Artists Know Relationships Are Key to Growing Your Art Career.
5. Spend time wisely.
Time is more precious than money. We can always find ways to improve our time management skills. Set priorities every day and periodically ask yourself if you are spending your time wisely with every activity you choose. Establish priorities and use “to do” lists and other devices that will keep you on track. Read Many Time-Saving Tips For Busy Artists.
6. Be a courageous authentic leader, not a fearful follower.
Be an innovator and exercise your creative vision in all aspects of your art career. Think outside the box. Be a pioneer in an area that you feel adamant about and create your legacy with your own handprint for future generations. When we choose to follow others out of fear and insecurity we deny ourselves of the best innate judgment and inner wisdom. Read Art Pioneers Who Are Changing The World.
7. Represent yourself in the highest quality standards.
Refuse to permit anything that represents you to be anything but superior. That includes having the best quality artwork, website, jpegs, written materials, correspondence, and application forms. Scrutinize everything you prepare before you send it out into the world or it will reflect badly on your identity. Read How to Write Your Artist’s Biography.
8. Make time to make art — no matter what.
Successful artists don’t procrastinate on creativity. They make creating art a priority. If they don’t have the perfect studio now they use their kitchen table, corner of a room, an attic or garage their creative space. They live their lives with complete and full creative self-expression. Avoid making excuses for not making art. If you need some stimulation read Have You Lost Your Creative Motivation? How to Restore It!
9. Create a plan.
Take the time to develop a road map for your art career success. Learn how to create an art business plan, financial plan and production plan. Get your materials organized for easy access. Set up an easy to use bookkeeping system and keep financial records up to date. Otherwise you’ll be doomed to fail. Read How to Create Your Art Business Plan.
10. Express gratitude.
Begin and end your day with an attitude of gratitude and as often as you can throughout the day. Express your appreciation to everyone who helps you along the path to success. Take special care to show how much you value your art buyers, galleries, fans, and followers. You may enjoy reading How Smart Artists Treat Their Art Buyers.
Success is easy to attain when we follow the basic rules that have worked for the most admired achievers. You may also want to read The 8 C’s in Art Career Success.
Hi Renee
As you said, passivity is the bane of the artist. Marketing our art takes time, time we could spend creating. But it’s got to get done. Reading this article inspires me to keep going. Thanks for posting,
Hi Renee
Your advice is always welcoming!
An Artist always is struggling with many of your numbered paragraphs that reach any of us. Struggling to acquire success is a conquest. As I send out to galleries across the country I’m so defeated. I know my work is good and has all the elements collectors are looking for! However I’m lost
Yes, I know how challenging finding a gallery to represent you can be. It feels like an uphill battle because there are proportionately many more artists than galleries and galleries can be very selective. You may think that you need a gallery in order to acquire collectors. Not true. The Internet has opened the doors to many more options for artists to do their own self-promotion and sales than ever before. I suggest you “think outside the box”. Here’s an article that may generate some ideas: What Artists Need to Know About Galleries, Agents and Art Consultants And read “How to Create An Art Patron Plan”.
Hi Renee
I can not appropriate enough your edifying article. You are one of a kind. Stay safe!
Thank you Alix. I’m delighted to know you enjoyed reading the article. I visited your website and your paintings are gorgeous — combining tons of skill and imagination!
Thanks so much this useful and interesting article dear Renee 🙂
Thank you Eda! I’m delighted you enjoyed reading this. I’m sure you aren’t making any of the mistakes mentioned here. 🙂
Very well put Renée.
This is a good article. I think I’ll cut it out and paste it on my wall.
Thank you Alan, but I cannot imagine you making any of these mistakes! You’re doing just fine!
Yes, the authentic leader point is well taken
Thank you Susan!
Your art is unique and authentic. I especially love how you honored NYC in your piece “Bird at Ground Zero”.
All the best,
Renee
Thank you Renee. Every single point in this article is spot on. I would add one thing – be open to those young artists who want to spend a little time with you to to glean ideas, be inspired and coached – so they can learn the points in your article.
I especially appreciate point #6. Be an authentic leader – not a follower. That is hands down the hardest thing to do. In the world of landscape art – there is immense pressure, especially by regional and national art organzations to paint like everyone else – like there’s a list of things that every landscape painting must have to be considered “legit” or quality.
My artistic heart is in distant scapes – where the land meets the horizon. I deliberately leave out detailed schrubs, rocks, trees, etc. It’s not that I can’t paint them, but rather – they detract from the “look” and “feel” that I’m wanting to convey. Several collectors say that they see themseslves stepping into the field or the path – following it to that beautiful distant point – where to them, life is as it should be. They tell me that when they see details in the foreground, they can’t get past it and get into the scene.
I spent an entire year painting like everyone else – and hated every painting and moment of it. It was uninspired. I got out my first landscape work and definately saw a theme – of distant vistas. I’ve never gone back even though I know that my work may not get into many shows as it may look more edited in content. What they don’t realize is that it takes 4-5 layers of oil to get that rich look. Turns out most of my collectors are women ages 35-80 who have had a major life challenge or change. All the men who have collected my work have leadership jobs in city or state government. What a dichodomy – but it holds true every single sale.
Thanks again.
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Thank you Kelly for sharing your journey and how you achieved your own vision. Your paintings are magical.
Best wishes,
Renee
Hi Renee. This is a very valuable article and very true. When we did speak about this on the phone I had my doubts but now I have reached two of my goals. I can take the next step and I was sure I would not be there until many years later. You did give me that push by believing in me. I know its what you do but you are very good at it.
Yvonne
Congratulations Yvonne!
You are an incredible artist. Continue to follow your innate wisdom. I’m always here to give you the gentle push whenever you need it.
Best regards,
Renee