art career Archives

The Art Biz ep. 45: The Impatient Artist: How Much Time Will Your Art Career Take? (encore)

Back in 2016 I sat down with Cynthia Morris to discuss an affliction many of our artist-clients suffer from: Impatience. Especially around making money.

This was the first episode of what became the Art Biz Podcast.

I originally started noticing this almost desperate desire for artists to make fast money at the height of the recession. Artists lost day jobs and, while they were excited to be able to focus on their art, they needed income to start rolling in much more quickly than was reasonable.

Nobody should cultivate a small business this way. It’s unrealistic to put that kind of pressure on yourself and on your art.

As Cynthia put it in our conversation: You wouldn’t decide to be an architect and think you can finish a building by the end of the year, so why would you think an art career would take off so quickly?

The hard truth is that your art career needs time to develop.

A lot of time. An unbearable amount of time for some people. In my experience, patient artists who are committed to their careers for the long haul are the ones who enjoy the ride, have a much healthier outlook, and, ultimately, reach their goals. They understand that there is no such thing as fast fame.

Today I’m republishing an encore of that original episode because Cynthia and I talked about things we need to be reminded of frequently.

We started by considering the pitfalls of impatience, and quickly launched into a variety of topics that all have to do with what it takes to be a professional artist.

The Art Biz ep. 45: The Impatient Artist: How Much Time Will Your Art Career Take? (encore) Read

©Diane Varner, The Prayer. Photograph. Used with permission.

Artists’ Career Moves from Beginner to Established

There are no set steps that can take you from the beginning of your art career to the pinnacle of success.

I know you would feel much more at ease if I could advise you to first do this, and then do that, and then do this other thing, and if you follow each step precisely, you’ll be assured a spot in the history books. But I can’t do that.

What I can do is give you some sort of idea of the phases artists work through over the course of their careers: a timeline of artists’ career moves from just starting out to the highest levels of establishing and cementing a reputation.

First, a word of caution: Because an article is linear, you might read this and think that you have to implement one step before you can move on to the next step. This isn’t the case.

I can’t come up with a single artist who has hit on each one of these points.

Artists who are full of confidence and forging their own paths can jump past entire sections!

Hopefully this list will plant the seeds for your next move.

Beginning Your Art Career

Start your mailing list immediately. You will have no idea what to do with this, but trust me. Just

Artists’ Career Moves from Beginner to Established Read

Why You Should Read Eric Fischl's Memoir

Eric Fischl was one of the first contemporary painters I remember embracing in the 1980s. I loved his memoir, Bad Boy: My Life On and Off The Canvas, and suggest that every serious artist should read it. Here’s a quick video review of the book.

Why You Should Read Eric Fischl's Memoir Read

Is the Artist's Life Selfish?

I am thinking about leaving a high-paying job for an art career. While my husband can cover our family’s needs, I am having trouble letting go of knowing I can provide for my children – on my own. It feels too selfish. Do you feel guilty for sacrificing security for love and passion? Is the artist’s life selfish?

Is the Artist's Life Selfish? Read

Why I Never Advise You To Follow Your Passion

If “Follow Your Passion” works for you, heed the call! I’m not going to tell you not to follow your passion. You just won’t hear me offering those words as quick-and-easy business advice, which is often how they appear in print. Here’s my alternative version, which I hope serves you.

Why I Never Advise You To Follow Your Passion Read

Freedom To Be an Artist

In recognition of the Fourth of July holiday and celebrating independence, I interviewed Chris Guillebeau, author of The $100 Startup, who’s book is all about freedom.

Freedom To Be an Artist Read

What is an emerging artist?

You may think it unimportant to define, but granting agencies, galleries, and collectors have their own definitions. Every artist, at some point in their careers, will be called an emerging artist by someone. If you ruled the world, how would you define “emerging artist”?

What is an emerging artist? Read

When You Don’t Know What You Want from Your Art

A few months back, I gave advice for hiring a consultant for your art career. I said that if you’re going to spend money on a consultant, you should understand what you want to get out of the relationship–you should know exactly what you want. Michael Newberry took issue in a comment. He said there

When You Don’t Know What You Want from Your Art Read

Bruce L. Bunch, Greenback Cutthroat Trout. Watercolor.

Conspire Against the Artist Myths

One week from today, on February 23, I will let you in on the secret Artist Conspiracy membership program that I have been testing since the first of the year. I have a positive spin on the word “Conspiracy.” I view the Artist Conspiracy as a get-together of like-minded artists who are conspiring against perpetuated

Conspire Against the Artist Myths Read

The Worst Time to Start Your Art Career

The worst time to pursue an art career is when you’re desperate – desperate for money, desperate because time is running out, desperate for attention. If you’re laid off from a day job, it’s tempting to think “Now I’ll have time to focus on my art.” I’ve been hearing this a lot over the past two years and it worries me.

The Worst Time to Start Your Art Career Read

art career

Beginning Your Art Career

Your Artist Mailing List: Rethinking + Assessing