Read How 5 Successful Artists Answered This Question
In the fourth grade I chose to do a report about Albert Schweitzer and I discovered his quote: “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” His words of wisdom made an indelible imprint on me. When my clients and I discuss their creative, career and financial goals, I always ask them what brings them happiness. As part of a series of interviews on this site, “Advice to Artists from Artists”, I asked the artists to define what “success” as an artist means to them. Their replies are as enlightening as their artistic expressions. The artists are JoAnne Carson, Nancy Staub Laughlin, Barbara Rachko, Nancy Reyner and Matti Sirvio.
As you read the artists’ responses in this article taken from longer interviews, what thoughts come to your mind? How do you describe “success” in your art career? Leave a comment below. Please also read the entire interviews with the artists and benefit from their sage advice.
JoAnne Carson
For JoAnne Carson, success is due to being able to withstand rejection. She states, “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.” Read the entire interview.
Nancy Staub Laughlin
“For me, success means that I have used all my capabilities to the fullest. My artistic goals have been met, but nearly as important, my business goals, too. The exhibitions I have accomplished are due to talent and perseverance. There is no doubt that sales are a major bonus, but having a museum exhibit or solo exhibit in a reputable gallery is a major aspect of artistic success. Another success is having your work constantly evolve, without losing your signature style.” Read the entire interview.
Barbara Rachko
“A personal definition of art career success that I have enjoyed for many years is the ability to devote all of my time and energy to art-making. I am an anomaly among New York fine artists because I don’t have a day job. Also, I am free of family and other responsibilities so I can devote significant time to exploring what it means to be an artist in New York.” Read the entire interview.
Nancy Reyner
“The first time someone asked me what success looks like to me, it was over 20 years ago. It made me uncomfortable then, so I joked about it stating ‘having a 2000 sq ft studio, an assistant and a xerox machine’. (Yes, xerox machines back then). Well, a few years later I did have a large studio and a copier, and it occurred to me that I had achieved something. From that point on, I have taken the idea of defining success seriously.
Periodically I write out a new vision and take time to acknowledge when I have achieved one or more of those goals. As time goes by my vision continues to change. My latest idea of success is waking up each morning happy, energized and healthy, with freedom in my day to paint when I want and for how long. Since that is my current reality, I feel successful. Maybe it’s time for my next vision?” Read the entire interview.
Matti Sirvio
“I feel that I have succeeded, when people come to the opening of the exhibition and are talking about the paintings, not just socializing with one another. When I see somebody clued to one of the paintings, always turning back to eye that one particular picture, I feel like I have helped them to connect with something meaningful.” Read the entire interview.
To this day being creatively successful to me means to being able to dream and imagine a future which is not yet in existence or to draw memories from a past that has disappeared or is irrevocably disappearing from my consciousness. It’s like harnessing consciousness to the present just for a moment in order to release it on a substrate able to receive and in-print my falling hopes, my inner feelings, my escaping sensations and my mental abstractions, in a word “that which I am” in moment of existence. In other word: being artistically successful is the inward experience of what is possible to me. It’s a process, not a game with an end. The only one whose admiration I am seeking is my true self.
I really enjoyed reading what success means for those artists.
For me, success means making an impact on others through what I’m doing (be it work or hobby-related). I know the things I’m trying to achieve are for myself, but it feels a lot better when you’re also making a difference for other people in the process..
Success to me is having viewers of my work find interpretations that I never envisioned. It means to me that my images are evoking thoughts that the viewer is applying based on their own experiences. I want my images to tell stories, and not necessarily the ones I envisioned when I did the work. It’s fascinating to me how many ways one image can be viewed.
Alan, you have a very special talent for doing that! Every time I view your artwork I see something else. Thank you for taking us on your magical visual journeys.
Because of my macular degeneration, I see a world of nothing but curved and distorted lines. Yet I feel most satisfied painting urban landscapes of my wonderful hometown. These demand straight lines. So each painting finished brings a feeling of success, knowing that I have contributed to the telling of the story of Cincinnati and the people who live here. Choosing to paint is to take God-given skills and to use them wisely and as well as possible.
Success, to me = acceptance of my work as represented by sales.
Success is being censured, denounced, condemned, attacked and lambasted….which means my new work is working and I have succeeded.
Success to me is the satisfaction of completing an individual work or a body of work and not being able to think of anything else to add or take away that will improve it.
Hi Ruth, Thank you for your superb definition of what success means to you as an artist!