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Being an artist, owning an art gallery in Los Angeles, and working for the world's largest fine art instruction program have taught me a few things about what an artist must do if he or she wishes to make a living as an artist.
The following rules are addressed to becoming a professional fine artist working in the medium of paint. However these tips can really be applied to any medium of art, whether it be painting, poetry, or music.
I sincerely hope they help with your artistic endeavors!
Rule #1: Know the Fundamentals of Your Art.
For years I played guitar without knowing how to read music. After learning music theory my music was much better and I was far more productive.
Before I understood the fundamentals of music I had an excuse ready when I couldn't make a song go right, I was too tired, I was having a bad day, or not in the mood.
Since I didn't know the WHY behind what I did when making music I was never truly causative at making music.
Knowledge has and will always be power. Don't just rely on natural talent, know the WHY behind what you do in your art.
Take lessons, if you feel you are too far advanced for lessons, then find a mentor.
Rule #2: You Will Learn How to Market Both You and Your Art.
In my time as an art dealer and gallery owner I have witnessed this same phenomena time and time again.
Two comparable pieces of art, each created by two different artists. One sells for $500 and the other for $10,000.
Why?
It always came down to marketing. One artist painted and displayed work in a gallery as the sole means of promoting.
The other artists would do promotional actions like press releases highlighting their new work, they had a professional website, they got interviews with art magazines, they networked with other artists, art professionals, and art enthusiasts, they got their work published in a coffee table books or calendars.
The ways to market your work are endless, the point is, you are going to have to learn how to market your art and yourself.
You could always hope that you create such an incredible work of art that the buzz created just by your painting will have the public beating down the door with cash in hand.
However that takes the responsibility of your success out of your hands and places it into the hands of the public.
When it comes to art, the public can be a very fickle entity indeed.
Do you want anything fickle in charge of your success?
Rule #3: Do Not Succumb to Fear of Rejection or Failure.
Everyone has heard some variation of the story about the author who has a closet full of manuscripts that have never been read by another soul due to fear of rejection.
The same phenomena can happen to visual artists.
Many successful painters still do not view their own work to be perfect. So if you wait till your work is "perfect" then you may very well be dead of old age before perfection happens.
Don't be afraid to get your work out there. People will love your work, hate your work, see it as mediocre, or see it as the beginning of a new renaissance.
Taste in art differs widely and you will never win over everybody.
Rule #4: You Will Pay no Heed to The Critics.
I am not just talking about art critics, but just negative people in general. A lot people on this planet are miserable and they like to drag others down with them.
Some are overt in your face, "you'll never be any good." At least they are easy to spot.
The worst are the ones that give back handed compliments or deftly slide that needle of criticism into the conversation by use of passive aggressive means.
'The last piece of yours was much better, I don't mean to be mean but.., That is very good work for a student, but there is soooooo much competition out there in the professional world,' etc etc.
Of course if you called them on it they would profess innocence, say that you are over reacting, that they were just kidding. Don't buy it.
If you can, just don't associate with these people, if they are our family don't talk about your art work with them. You are an artist because you like to create art, not because you want to impress your family.
If you have no choice in being around these people just recognize that they are just lonely unhappy people, and above all, do not take it personally.
The only critique one should listen to is your professional drawing or painting instructor.
And be wary of that as well, make sure that at the same time they are critiquing your work that they are also showing you how to improve.
Rule #5: Speaking of Art Instructors, You Will Choose a Good One.
My wife originally came to America as a foreign student from Canada to study visual art in college.
Her first semester she took beginning drawing and painting classes.
She came to learn the basics, perspective, tone, shading, light and shadow, proportions,etc.
Instead she received a lot of airy fairy over significant mumbo jumbo. The main technique taught was the 'if it feels good then do it' technique.
No real techniques were taught because the art teachers did not understand them!
When choosing an art instruction school or studio please pick one that has a systematic approach to teaching the fundamentals of drawing and painting.
Interview your art teacher, ask to see their work as well as their students work.
Ask the potential teacher how they go about teaching the basics to a new student.
Rule #6: You Must Learn to Sell (or find someone who can and will)
The odds are, if you work is displayed anywhere where people can view it someone will come along who likes it, maybe even love it.
The problem comes in convincing them that they love your painting more than they love their money.
It really is simple, professionally handle the clients objectives and continue to interest them in both you and your work.
If the idea of selling is abhorrent to you, you either have to call it quits to your dream of being a successful fine artist, or you have to find someone who can and will sell for you.
Rule #7. Learn to Harness the Power of the Internet.
Take a look at ebay, type in 'original oil painting' into its search field. You will see hundreds of paintings from artists selling their work online.
Type in 'fine artists' into any search engine and you will find professional websites featuring professional artists.
There are a few websites that even act as an online art gallery and will display and sell your work online for you for a cut of the sale.
The internet really is a great way to show off your work, sell your art, create brand recognition for you as an artist, and to communicate your work to a large audience.
Rule #8: You Will Not Get Weird About Art and Money.
I know some of you cringe when it comes to selling your art for money, or that some of these tips might sound a little too business like, with words like brand recognition, professional, selling and marketing.
Like it or not, if someone exchanges money for your art you have entered into the field of business.
When you come to this fork in your career as an artist you can take one of two paths.
Path one, never sell your art for money, continue to work at your day job and keep art as a hobby. Perfectly acceptable. Many people do this across the world and lead happy lives.
Path two, realize that your art is providing someone with a product that they will adore for years to come, You created something original. Nothing in this world is it's exact duplicate.
For this you will receive money in exchange. This will help you concentrate on creating more works of art as you may have to work less hours at a 'real' job. Maybe you will get to the point of not having to work that 'real' job at all!
Michelangelo was commissioned by the Vatican to do his work in the Sistine Chapel. He was paid quite handsomely for it.
He was also commissioned by Florence to create the statue of David.
Artists can create wonderful enduring works and should rightfully be exchanged properly with.
Well there you have them, 8 rules you need to live by to become a professional visual artist.
I sincerely hope that they help and I wish you the best of luck in how ever you decide to pursue the field of art.
