The one reason why you’re struggling to be successful
I get asked this question all the time: “I am a struggling artist, working two jobs, trying to make ends meet and not getting anywhere, what advice or tips can you give”?
My response is not meant to sound big-headed in any way; you can see what I do here in my business by simply taking a wander round the gallery. I have some considerable insight into this as I have gone from a similar situation to where I am now. I have a reasonable idea of what it takes to do this professionally.
I am going to speak very candidly and some of the things I say might upset you or you might even think “you big headed idiot”; fine, that’s your opinion and I have no problem with that; you can always stop reading and navigate to another page!
I am going to speak truthfully and honestly (rather than make up anything to placate you) as I want to help you – but feel this brutal honesty is for the best.
Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash
I very much resonate with piece you have created about why many artists don’t succeed commercially, and I just wanted to say thank you for doing so. In a world of social media “professionals” touting their own quick fix formulas, it’s very refreshing to read the honest, pared back to the bone, truth about this business we call art. Whilst I have been creating art all of my life, I have only been doing this professionally for around 9 months now, and I am selling work, and its early days, but I am on target to sell the amount of art I estimated for my first year, so that’s working, and yes I work on this 7 days a week, 8 to 10 hours a day, more if I need to, but its hard work and soul destroying at times, but I have to keep going. A family tragedy finally pushed me over the edge of not doing this, and now I have to make this a success in order to honour that loss, so I do have quite a strong “why” for doing this, but it is a lot of hard work, something that he rest of the world have no concept of. Thanks again for this inspiration, your work, devotion and dedication to your cause never fails to impress and inspire me.
Thanks buddy, really appreciate you sharing your thoughts. Sorry for the loss and hope you can keep pushing and stay focused. We have our own issues right now but we have to dig deeper. Good luck to you man, you got this!
I have certainly done the math and really can’t afford or justify doing competitions when I have to arrange for shipping into the country and collection etc…if one’s work was accepted!
I would like to have your view on art shows and art fairs. I am not a gallery artist and think I need to get my art in the public domain somehow.. not just Instagram/FB or website to continue to move forward and hopefully sell work!! Have you had experience with these? any tips or what to avoid?
Great blog, BTW.. now bookmarked !!
Hi Dense – my view on at shows and fairs? Hold on to your dangly bits: http://swarezart.com/art-business/art-competitions-and-exhibitions/ also I just put out a video n my YouTube channel about why you don’t need a gallery to sell – check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDte-I8EeJQ&lc=z230u3ii0vyvxdurt04t1aokg5yoixq0lfxplm1ronf1bk0h00410.1583573519993894
Thanks Swartz, great piece on not entering art competitions. Trying to show my naive art work I tried a regional art associations competition. Two thumb nail pictures @ £10 each. Received email accepting one and rejecting the second. Thought I might be in with a chance. Took the chosen picture for second scrutiny. Few days later email rejecting my picture. On collecting it I spoke to a chap and enquired had he been accepted. “Oh yes” he said, “but being a member my paintings are not scrutinised by the judges.” He said not to give up as it took him three years trying before he had any success. There’ s no guarantee of selling a single picture, either. So I agree with you, it’s a big con. I haven’ t tried social media yet, which would you suggest is worth considering? Look forward to reading more from your blogs. Much appreciated and ‘good luck’ with your artistic endeavours.
Regards,
Dave H.
Thanks Dave, much apreciated. Try Instagram and Facebook to begin with. These are proven platforms.
Hello . I just stumbled across your information. Thank you so much for your advice.So true we have to put the work in and consistent too. I was thinking about art competitions but have always hesitated. I think you gave me the reason why. they do seem a bit contrived and like the lottery ,I don’t actually know anyone who has won a comp. I have decided to go it alone because I have my own vision . Its funny though I have put a lot of hard work in securing a spot at a London market place and now the worms come out of the woodwork and ask if I wouldn’t mind sharing the space. Huummmmm NO. Some people don’t want me/you just our enthusiasm. Any way mini rant over , sorry. I have a question . Can you suggest ways of expanding peoples awareness of a website. I am not too sure about this ie how to promote it further. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. thanks for listening. cheers caroline (cake) battenburg.
That’s an impossible question to answer because it is such a big one. There’s a whole global industry dedicated to doing exactly that – gaining visibility and rank for websites. Best bet is to Google ‘ways to make my website rankings improve’ or similar. Mountains of tips out there. that’s all I do! Hope that helps.
Thanks for your blog Swarez, I found all your information very useful. As you suggested it is important to have a goal. My goal is to work hard and collect a body of work for a solo exhibition. I am 63 and much of my life has been spent with survival and bringing up a family. I am now devoting myself full time to art. I am passionate about what I do. I have one question though, many people say to me I should study the market and what is selling before creating art. Do you think this is important or necessary? I am thinking of going towards narrative art to tell the story of my life. Do you think I should abandon what I am doing and follow the crowd or go it alone and see which way the wind will blow?
Almost impossible to answer as there is theoretically, a market for all art. You can only be swayed by what you feel is right and what you want to achieve. Start with that most fundamental question first then that will help you define your path. Whatever you choose you will need to consider how you’ll find the people that want to spend money with you. That’s the Holy Grail for creatives – engagement. Think about where your buyers are and consider how you’re going to reach them. Hope that helps…
Outstanding website, great ideas for my kind of artwork.
Thanks Andrew; much appreciated!
Very illuminating view of art competitions.
Brilliant work and blog Swarez, I just stumbled upon it tonight when I first read about your post of why art competitions are a waste of time. What are your thoughts of being part of art organizations? I’ve been at it for over 25 years and teaching English (currently in Portugal) to help support my art life. Anyway, keep up the great work! Cheers, Josh
Thanks Josh, really appreciate you stopping by; thanks a million. Ed
I am a 62 year old male, who as had many a ups and downs in art, bringing up two boys on my own I am still struggling. but if had not been for art I would surely ended up in the madhouse ha? to you the artist Swarez, I understand and admire our words. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much John; really appreciate you sharing your thoughts. Cheers. Ed