Tips on How to be a Successful Artist

The path of an artist has not always been an easy one for me and along the way l asked many people especially other artists for advice. However, l have learned a lot by trial and error and I wanted to share with you what l have learned so far and give you some of my best advice to help you become a successful artist, especially if you are just starting out. I have had some young aspiring artists ask me for advice so why not share it with all of you.
I usually save the best for last, but in this case l am going to start with the most important advice l can give you. Do not listen to people telling you how impractical your passions are, and don’t let anyone crush your dreams. You need to stay positive and you need to stay focused on your goals.
     If you love what you do then it should not be a competition, it is important to recognize that there is an abundance of talented people out there and why not be added to that same caliber of talent? Why compete with others? Everyone is different, so don’t be afraid to be yourself and find your style.
It’s important to be encouraging, artists need to inspire and be inspired. You need to network yourself with other creative people, positive individuals who are of the same mind set. We should be helpful and aim to respond with motivating words.  ​

Don’t give up, you have no idea how many times l would get caught up in everyday life and l would put my art aside. If you want to succeed you need to make your creativity and passion a priority, you can’t let your art suffer. Practice makes perfect, you need to continue developing your skills, and put all the countless hours you have already dedicated to good use. You must progress and move onward. You can’t put in all that time and let it go to waste. I believe that if you have the drive to succeed you will.

 I have met some pretentious artists and all l can say is there’s a fine line to being proud of your artwork and recognizing that you are good and then being narcissistic or egotistical. No one likes a bragger so just keep that in mind.
 I am a genuine believer that you don’t have to go to art school to be a great artist. You just need to learn the fundamentals and you need to keep learning and practicing. It is important to experiment creatively with different mediums so that you are not fearful of trying new things. Keep flourishing your artistry and talent. It’s important to realize that you will never stop developing.

I have often said that you can be an incredible artist but you need to be a good business person too. You need to learn networking and marketing. You can’t expect to sit behind your easel and let your artwork sell itself or get any exposure. Networking builds viable relationships and this delivers future results. You need to put yourself out there, not just your artwork, you as an artist need to be social.  Potential customers are likely to view and check out your artwork if they know who you are, it becomes a personal experience if your patrons know who you are as a person. Your current customers can also introduce you to other people who may like your work. Build relationships with suppliers, galleries, and organizations, they can potentially help you network with people that can become clients or help you develop skills. Join social media platforms, this is an important one. Online shopping and social media sites are growing rapidly. You need to keep people in the loop with what you are up too and social media is a compelling way to stay in touch with the world. A website is a good way to sell your artwork and blogging will help your clients get to know you. It is even as important to network in person. Get out there and talk to people. Join or attend local events. You will benefit from getting to understand your community.  Have fun with it, and be personal and professional. Smiling leaves a lasting impression.             
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​ Don’t talk negatively about your art. There will always be self-doubt, but you need to believe in your abilities and what you are offering. How can others believe in you if you don’t believe in yourself? Use your art to express yourself and who you are. It’s important to stay true to yourself and so this ties into my next, but last piece of advice. Your art should not be free. “Your art will get lots of exposure, but l can’t pay for it” You need to value yourself. I have donated my artwork for some great causes, so let’s not get confused about what l am trying to express.  You can’t keep giving away your art and give into offensive offers. Put value on your art. Being artist and entrepreneur is a lot of work. Trust me l know, so don’t cheapen or devalue your work.
Have fun and do what you love and remember that you need to make yourself happy, be true to yourself and remember to work hard and never give up. Feel free to share some of your great tips and advice, l would love to hear from you.
Have a beautiful Day,
Alice Melo
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Author

Alice is a Realistic Acrylic Painter, you can find her creating in her studio 214A at the Tett Centre, 2nd level. Located at 370 King St. W, Kingston, Ontario.