Changing your inner vision
On the road to success you will need, use and discover many tools that are
useful to your growth. Sports pros use the idea of visualization to help their
athletes succeed. As an artist you can also use this technique.
Visualize your artwork hanging in different venues: homes, galleries,
corporations. Visualize yourself shaking hands with corporate buyers, with an
art publisher at ArtExpo, whoever you need to help you along the way.
You will also find it helpful to go public! Start calling yourself an
artist. You've probably considered yourself an artist for some time.
Now you must announce it to the world. When someone asks you what you do for a
living, your reply should be, "I'm an artist."
Once you start calling yourself an artist, you'll be surprised at how many
other people will start referring to you as an artist too. Hearing others call
you "artist" creates an inner image that reinforces your aim.
Defining success
Do you realize that you can set your own standards of success? Wow! This is a
revelation! You decide what success is for you. Is it selling three originals?
Is it finding a publisher? Is it setting up an art business? Is it finishing 10
pieces of work? Is it making $25,000? $5,000?
If you want to believe what someone else tells you success is, then you are
going against the possibility of creating your own values. Without the passion
of your own heartfelt aims, you lose your inner power. You won't be able to have
the passion to succeed if you use someone else's idea of a goal. Passion creates
great powers within each of us and is needed to succeed in any business.
Take each year as one more step in building what you want-not what your
mother, father, friend or business associate thinks you need, but what you
determine you want!
Perseverance
In most parts of our lives, we've found that we must persevere through troubled
and difficult times. It is no different for an entrepreneur, be he artist or
baker. Just to survive in life we must persevere. To do what we want, we must
really be committed!
You must plan to remain at this venture-not one or two
years, but 10-40 years, i.e., all your life. You are an artist,
after all: what else can you do? What else would you want to do for a living?
With this attitude, you will be able to conquer problems when they arise.
Along the way remember the adage "It takes money to make money."
If you are not willing to spend money on promoting yourself, why would anyone
spend money on buying your work? You need to value your work more than anyone
else! If you are not willing to invest time, money and energy in your career,
who is? You certainly won't convince an art rep to work for you for a
commission. You will need to invest in portfolios, lawyers, books, and
other promotional tools that you determine will help to build your
business. How much will you sacrifice to achieve your goals? How important are
they to you? How easily do you give them up or let life take them away? You are
the one to decide your fate.
Pointers
- If you are already established in another occupation, make your change
slowly, intelligently.
- As an artist you will have two roles-creating art and marketing art.
- You will inevitably run up against some brick walls-both in yourself and
in others.
- Take each step as it comes.
- Think of competition as good, as keeping you on your
toes. There is space for everyone.
- Get your personal life in order. You will then have the proper energy that
it takes to make your business survive. Starting a new venture while your life
is in chaos will just defeat your aim.
- Know what you are willing to invest, money- and time-wise, in order to
reach your goals.
- Let your family and friends know your intentions of starting a business.
Also let them know it won't detract from your responsibilities to them, though
it might change them a bit. Get their support, emotionally and
psychologically. You will need it.
- Make a total commitment or no commitment at all!
Fortunately for humanity, you will use your creative genius to take the reins
of your own destiny.
The author, Constance Smith, has devoted the last eighteen years to publishing
art marketing
information-researching and networking with art world professionals nationwide.
Previous to that she
represented fine artists in the San Francisco area. Art Marketing 101 is
available at bookstores
nationwide or you can order directly from the publisher. The most current
edition was published in
2004; 8x10" format, 336 pages, $24.95 + $4 shipping, ISBN: 0-940899-32-9. ArtNetwork, PO Box
1360, Nevada City, 95959 800/383-0677 530/470-0862 530/470-0256 Fax
www.artmarketing.com <info@artmarketing.com>
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Check out these recommended resources:
Art Marketing 101: A Handbook for the Fine Artist |
