The idea that you could do what you enjoy draws many people towards a career in art. But the real struggle happens as one strives to gain acceptance and earn money. Many artists feel that they are underpaid and overworked. Also, a lot of creative people find it uncomfortable to work under pressure in corporate jobs. At the same time, we have artists whose work is admired and valued across the world. Thus, pursuing the arts as a career could be tricky. Below are the winning traits that you could assimilate to lead a flourishing and content life as an artist.
1. Develop a routine:
The first step is similar and common to all disciplines. One should develop a routine and practice the techniques daily. Many people tend to wait for inspiring moments. At times, people experience a creative block and may stop the process. In the initial stages, it is not necessary to come up with beautiful work every day. You could practice simple techniques or repeat the same drawing or a photograph. Developing a schedule helps in discovering a niche, building on your strengths, and understanding the nuances.
2. Try diverse methods:
A career in art is not limited to exhibitions and sales in galleries. Newspapers, magazines, cartoons, and advertisements require artwork almost regularly. Today, artists taking up jobs like graphic designing, animations, visual communications have lucrative careers. The internet has provided a new venue for artists. You could explore career options in the textiles, jewelry, and fashion industries. Also, the product design aspect of engineering requires one to have an artistic inclination. Many of these present-day jobs expect you to use a few additional tools that are easy to learn. Thus, you get to enjoy your work and also have good pay.
3. Set learning goals and manage time effectively:
The artwork takes time, and many artists tend to be perfectionists. They spend a lot of time on activities, which does not result in effective learning. Thus, it is always advisable to set time while carrying on a project. Moreover, a period of rest helps in coming up with new ideas. One should understand that you could reduce flaws by making more art rather than perfecting.
Today networking and marketing play a significant role in ensuring a bright career in the field. Thus, artists need to allocate their time for learning, project work, and outreach activities.
4. Tap the potential of networking:
As an art student, one could join art societies, attend workshops, and participate in various contests. It helps you in contacting people with similar interests and ideas. It gives a chance to observe senior artists closely and helps in deciding how to be an artist. You become aware of reliable art agencies in the market. At times, it is also possible to get freelance projects. But networking has to continue once you start working. Visits to art galleries, trade shows help you know the trends and reality. You can make connections on social media too. You get thoughtful perspectives from other artists that are essential for further
5. Get feedback:
It is important to get opinions on your work from friends, family members, art lovers, and even the uninitiated people. Getting feedback from fellow artists and mentors is the best way to improve. You could connect with like-minded people on social media and share ideas. A mature artist knows that there is always room for enhancement. They are interested in finding the changes that people expect. One of the main goals of art forms is to kindle one’s imagination and inspire society.
Feedbacks could be both positive and negative. Getting compliments from fellow artists and mentors will be encouraging. At the same time, you should not be obsessive about applause, especially on social media. If the negative comments lead you to realize the shortcomings, they are helping you to improve. You could note them down and do not make the same errors in the future. It is advisable to ignore ugly or mean comments and move on.
6. Know the market:
In today’s competitive world, producing great artwork is not sufficient. One should also learn marketing strategies and find ways to reach the correct audience. In the initial stages, it is worthwhile to know the market trends and work on similar projects. Also, as an artist, one has to strive to be in the public view. Publishing your work on the internet, maintaining blogs, joining Instagram groups, and having a dedicated Facebook page is a necessity now. People often check out the online portfolio before visiting the gallery, studio, or hiring decision.
7. Check the selling practices:
Some artists sell print copies of their work first and then sell the original product at a higher price. But people with considerable online following tend to make a print only on demand. The well-known artists sell original versions alone through galleries and exhibitions. Some prefer getting freelance work over regular jobs. Often, artists combine a few of the above ways to earn money. Thus, it is advisable to have clarity on the approaches taken and find what suits you. Also, track the money that you make, the expenses you do for artwork and separate it from personal expenses. This practice helps you determine where you are heading and the progress that you make.
Final Thoughts:
Artists could be happy and content with their jobs as they get to do what they love. It is a continuous learning process, and people do not get bored. They need to evaluate their work as per market trends. Also, one has to take charge and be responsible for their overall well being.
