This week, several artists told me they had landed important opportunities as a result of reaching out to people. They have learned the value of nurturing relationships. As I wrote in “Follow The Laws of Nature to Grow Art Career Relationships” and Build Your Art Career With People Power I encourage you to grow your art career relationships with as much fervor as you use in creating your artwork. All successful artists know relationships are key to growing your art career.
Here are comments on the subject from interviews with artists Barbara Rachko, Roopa Dudley, and Hamish Blakely. They share their perspective on the benefits that can be derived from building relationships.
I hope their sage advice motivates you. You’ll find full-length interviews with all of them on this website. Please click on the links below their statements to read the interviews and see their artwork.
Barbara Rachko “Build A Support Network”
Barbara Rachko states, “I am most proud of my global network of friends, collectors, and fans who enjoy and support my work. Over the years, thanks to direct personal contact and social media, many have become valued friends.” For the past few years Barbara has focused extensively on social media and other sorts of creative marketing. “My efforts have built significant name recognition – many more people around the world know about me and about my work.”
To artists who are beginning their careers, share advises, “Build a support network among your fellow artists, teachers, and friends. It’s tough to be an artist starting out.”
Read interview with Barbara Rachko.
Roopa Dudley “Forging Strong Relationships is Key to Success”
Roopa Dudley states emphatically, “Never underestimate the power of relationships”. She continues, “Forging strong relationships is the key to having a great business and your success as an artist. You never know who will end up loving your art and buying it or blogging about it or presenting you with an opportunity to have a solo exhibit.”
She encourages artists to go beyond the casual acquaintance and nurture your relationships. “Get to know people and their interests. Connect with them beyond pleasantry. Be authentic and keep everyone you know updated about your art through emails and newsletters.”
Read interview with Roopa Dudley.
Hamish Blakely “Have A Good Team”
Hamish Blakely shares, “An artist must have a good team to work with, so that everyone is working towards the same thing. This has to be done with as much passion as the artist can muster. In this sense, it is all a collaboration. The painter or sculptor is not the only creative agent in the equation; the curator, the PR company and the Gallery staff all have choices in the way they manage and promote the work. If they are all passionate, it makes a huge difference to how that exhibition will be received.”
Read interview with Hamish Blakely
I’ve landed my best paying workshop gigs by telling this woman I knew and liked ‘If you ever feel that we can collaborate on anything, I’d just love to work with you’. She owns a large coaching company and I now regularly work for her clients. Since that experience I often say the same to various people I meet or in follow up emails. Even if I have no idea what may happen, I feel that I am throwing seeds into the wind, sometime they just root and grow! Thank you Renee for all your tips, help and support over the years.
Gaia, I applaud you for having a positive, friendly and open attitude about forming and building relationships. Keep “throwing seeds into the wind”! I’m grateful to have known you for a few years and enjoy watching you grow as a very talented and powerful artist.