Have you always thought of yourself as artistically inclined? Do you love to draw as a kid or take part in theater shows in middle school? People who have been drawn to art have gone through artistic phases when they’re young. Sadly, most of them don’t end up having an art career for many reasons. They may be discouraged away from art as it doesn’t pay well or gave up art itself because there’s no time to create or they’re struggling to keep up with other veteran artists.
Whatever situation you’re in, jump-starting an art career is never easy. People have frowned upon the idea of art as a profession. Since we all have bills to pay, pursuing art as a ‘real’ job is almost impossible for those who have financial obligations.
But this isn’t the case for those who took the plunge and took art as their profession or source of livelihood. These people may have taken paint classes, performing arts, or vocational training courses to work on their talents and skills.
Pursuing an art career doesn’t happen overnight. Being an artist requires a plan, dedication, and hard work. Many budding artists plan to start an art career but are clueless about how to begin. In this article, we’ll discuss ways on how to start a successful art career and make a living out of it.
Enhance your skills
It’s never easy to become a successful artist if you’re not working on your skills. The art market is a very competitive industry. To be recognized, you need to create something unique, unconventional, or a major contribution to grab everyone’s attention.
Before beginning a successful art career, one should dedicate their time and effort to developing their artistic skills. Your interest in the arts is just a starting point. In this regard, skills development requires commitment and hard work. If your art skills are getting a little rusty, dedicate a few hours a day to improve your chosen medium. You may be creative and have natural talent, but without dedication, your skills won’t get you far.
Most artists rely on self-learning or attend multiple workshops and free classes from organizations and local schools. You can also sign up at online art courses, attend art shows, galleries, and museums, or ask for constructive criticism. Basically, the choice is up to you on how to improve your skills. Your ultimate goal is to dedicate time instead of letting those precious skills go down the drain.
Discover your creative voice
Once you’ve worked on your skills, use the opportunity to find your creative or artistic voice. When we talk about the artistic voice, we’re referring to your signature technique and style. Your creative style will gradually unveil as you navigate your real passion and talent. It’s important to keep your patience during this phase since the path towards self-discovery can be a long and winding one.
Art is a seemingly large market, so it’s important to explore various methods, subjects, and other fresh ideas. As you find your artistic voice, take time to consider different art mediums and allow your craft to explore other directions and themes. Don’t let your skills and ideas confined within your world, instead, allow external influences to reflect in your craft.
Keeping an art journal also helps in keeping track of your previous works and new projects. You can also write about your failures and successes as an artist. Writing down your thoughts and experiences allows you to build your emotional association with art and create fresh discoveries about your skills and other influences.
Spread the word
You may be the most creative and talented artist or performer worldwide, but if no one knows about you or your craft, then a successful career is quite unlikely. Like running a business, marketing and building a network is critical in an artist’s success.
Expanding your influence is one of the greatest challenges for any budding artist. You have to establish your reputation in your chosen community to create meaningful connections with clients and fellow artists.
Spreading the word about your art is tough work, but the rewards are certainly worth it. You can start by entering art competitions, selling your projects at craft shows, promoting your work in galleries, or signing up at art leagues.
It’s about time for people to stop viewing art as an unprofitable career. An art career is a life-changing profession that requires discipline and a lot of planning. If you feel a strong urge to pursue art and unleash your artistic side, go for it. Becoming an artist may seem intimidating at first, but every successful artist has to go through some ups and downs to create a better career path for them.
