Most artists I know are eager to encourage, support and help their fellow artists. For example, for this article I collected advice from artists who encourage you to “Never Give Up!”. You’ll find motivational words from three prominent artists JoAnne Carson, Nancy Reyner and Nancy Staub Laughlin from in-depth interviews on this website.
There are links to 10 more helpful articles about how to persevere throughout your art career.
You’ll read comments from several artists who offered advice in answer to a question I posted on Facebook.
“That the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too… Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. ~ Goethe
3 Successful Artists Offer Advice in Interviews
JoAnne Carson has mastered skills in drawing, painting and sculpture and has many art career achievements. She has had many exhibitions in museums throughout the U.S. including the Whitney Biennial and NYC galleries. Her artwork is found in numerous public collections such as the Brooklyn Museum of Art. In an interview on this blog, I asked her: JoAnn, It takes a lot of persistence to build an art career of your stature and longevity. What other personal qualities do you attribute your success to?
She replied, “I am very able to withstand rejection – that is my super-power as an artist. I learned the importance of this over time and trained myself with various rules; such as I will not allow myself to be upset over rejection for more than 24 hours. Now I’m usually over upsets in a few hours. Also, I’m not afraid to put myself into the world. I see pursuing opportunity as a game rather than as a possibility for failure. The word “trying” should substitute the word “ failure”. That would make an artist’s life a lot more fun and rewarding.”
Nancy Reyner, who is also an author and master class teacher, is another artist who has achieved many career achievements. Her art is in numerous private and corporate collections including the City of Santa Fe Civic Center, Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, VA, University of New Mexico Hospital, Albuquerque, NM, Southwestern College, Santa Fe, NM.
In an interview she explained a key aspect for her is perseverance. “Regarding perseverance, I like the idea from Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers, that any field, task or career requires 10,000 hours of practice to reach mastery level. This doesn’t mean we need to wait that long to start an art career, however, it does mean that we can’t expect certain aspects of success until we work enough hours for the art to be noticeable, powerful, well-designed, and at a point where the work has a signature style.”
Nancy Staub Laughlin is another artist who has received critical acclaim and reviews throughout her impressive career. One of her many achievements was being reviewed by Sam Hunter, Art Critic and Historian of Modern Art who accurately referred to her art as “refreshingly unique”. The artist has exhibited extensively throughout the U.S.
I asked her “In three words or less, what message do you want artists to always remember? “I will say that being an artist is not for the meek. Being an artist is basically applying for a new job every day…one has to prove over and over again who they are. That is assuming one can even get to the right person to tell your story. The bottom line is you can never give up because you were born to do this…period!” How Can You Persevere Against All Odds?
One solution is developing self-esteem. This will sustain you during the ups and downs of your art career. A healthy amount of self-esteem will serve as a protective shield against fear, self-sabotage, victimization, and failure. It’s natural for levels of self-esteem to fluctuate depending on events outside of your control so it is important that you know how to maintain a healthy level of self-esteem.
Learn how to handle rejection and alter the way you perceive mistakes. Develop stamina and perseverance by getting very good at how to nurture yourself and be an expert in knowing your strengths.
Articles to Help You Persevere and Never Give Up
Advice From Artists Who Say “Follow Your Bliss”
Are You An Artist Who Suffers From Occasional or Chronic Low Self-Esteem?
How to Handle Rejection As An Artist
Celebrate Mistakes in Your Art Career
Nurture Your Inner Artist: An Inspirational Visual Reminder
What Does “Success” As An Artist Mean to You?
The 8 C’s in Art Career Success
10 Ways to Avoid Art Career Sabotage
Create the Art Career of Your Dreams
Courageous Artists
Advice From Facebook Artist Friends About Never Giving Up
In May, 2020 I posted this question on Facebook: “Dear Artist Friends, If you were giving a keynote speech to art school graduates what advice would you give them? Here are a few replies I received from artists who advise artists to never give up.
Ana Ghinea “Fail and try again and win and fail and don’t stop working. Read, work and find your own way. Don’t listen to people who tell you you’re not on the right path. No matter what you choose you will face obstacles, set backs, competition, envy and so on. If you’re going to fight for a career, at least make the gain worth the effort. Keep going! You want a challenge, right?”
Patricia Nah Roche “Never give up. I believe in ‘One days! One day, I’ll exhibit, One day, I’ll… I was 57 when I had my first solo exhibition and no matter the critique or how long the journey, believe in yourself. I had a teacher saying ‘Why are you fussing with your painting? You won t be able to sell it!’ Some years later, it sold! A friend said I was a nobody, and I am overpriced. Ha!Ha! In the end, he bought it begrudgingly as his partner loved it. If you are not ready for critique don t ask for opinions. It’s tough sometimes, we can loose our mojo… but keep at it and open to learning, improving…”
Lisa Botto Lee “Do what you love. Perseverance and dedication. Even when huge challenges happen and you have detours, never give up and get back on track and keep on persevering.”
Kathryn Thurman Grier “I’d tell them to remember that when life happens (and it will) and your art plans don’t happen as soon as you had expected they would, that Grandma Moses was 78 when she began her art career. Never give up.”
Sheryl A. Noday “During some point in the speech I would talk about the importance of never giving up on yourself. Art is a journey in the unknown, we must find comfort in the uncomfortable. It’s a path like no other and one that is worth living. Go for it!”
Nancy Christy-Moore “Never quit believing in yourself, and never give up.”
Linda S. Watson “Believe in yourself. Keep on creating. Never give up, no matter how many rejections come your way.”
Bill Massey “Paths can lead anywhere. Work hard and don’t give up. Be an inventor. Be joyous.”
Rosemarie Oehler Adcock (quoting Winston Churchill) “Never give up. Never. Never. Never. Never give up.”
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Dear Renee —-last year I talked to a group of graduating Art students at the University of Maine at Augusta. I essentially encouraged them to pursue their Art with energy and perseverance. It is a wonderful way to conduct your life and is a tremendous tool for self development, self expression and understanding. Pursue it for the love of it and eventually the doors will open. However, the primary quest is to simply do it and not concern yourself with criticism, unless given by someone educated and experienced in Art and Design. I also encouraged them to obtain an MFA for possible work at a college or university. When I was student at the NY Studio School I asked each mentor from George McNeil, Milton Resnik and Alex Katz if I should pursue an MFA and they all said Yes.
Thanx so much for your continued support and recognition, it is much appreciated!!!!
Thank you Poul for your comment and excellent advice!
Thank you Renee for this positive article. I found it when I needed it most and visit it often. I have also shared it with my artist friends and art students. The advice from you and also fellow artists is priceless and life-changing.. I love your website!
Thank you Carole for reading this article and sharing it with others. I wish you a continued spirit of positivity, creative bliss, and art career success!