"I am an Artist."
We've all said it at some point in our lives,
right? Some of us said it back in 4th grade, when asked what we were going to be when we
grew up.
But we've most likely said it recently, maybe
only in our heads to ourselves. That's why we are here, at a crossroads, determining how to make
our artwork also our livelihood. Some of us may be starting out, others are battle-scarred and
still standing, but equally as determined.
We want to be artists.
I was born with the inclination to make art.
However, my journey was not a direct trajectory to the general populace fawning over my paintings.
It was more like a series of opportunities and experiences that prepared me to run my own studio
and take control of my creativity.
So how do you begin?
In my head there are two areas of preparation,
each of which I will deal with in separate articles. There's emotional preparation, which I'll
address today. There is also the physical preparation which I'll talk about the next time
around.
So first off, stand tall and say it out loud.
Start your mental prep:
"I am an artist."
Say it so you believe it. So that others will
too. Remind yourself often during the day about it. Doesn't matter if you are currently making
money flipping burgers. If you have art in your soul, it'll be there forever, waiting for you to be
ready to let it out. Believe in your truth - that you are an artist. When you start to believe that
bit, you are ready for step two.
Step two is a dose of realism. Think about this:
are you ready to take something you most likely are passionate about and transform it into a job?
You must be rational. Jobs are not easy, even when they are deeply loved. There are days when they
are torturous, along with the days of jubilation. There are also many days you simply slug through.
Artists experience the same sort of rollercoaster as any other career might.
The successful artists I know doggedly work
through every type of day imaginable. They consistently work their tails off making new art,
learning new skills, meeting new people, recruiting new collectors, mentoring younger artists,
volunteering in their community, and expanding their own horizons. Making art is their job first
and foremost despite the variety of hats they must wear (and that's another article altogether) in
order to run a successful studio. For those who are lucky, making art remains a passion (whether
it's the entire process or just a sliver/particular subject matter). For others, making art becomes
a livelihood.
Being an artist is the same as being an
entrepreneur. You are selling creative widgets -
paintings/ceramics/glass/jewelry/photographs/whatever. The widget entrepreneur doesn't look at his
widget and wax nostalgic - the widget is a means for the entrepreneur to put money in his/her bank
account. The entrepreneur knows his widget inside and out, its pluses and negatives in the market,
prices it accordingly, and works within his/her network to sell those widgets to a particular
demographic.
That is the same path your artwork will take -
there's no room for sentimentality over a certain painting or subject matter. Your artwork is a
product, and that demands a non-emotional, strictly business mentality, regardless of the type of
day you are having.
So while you stand at the crossroads, repeating
"I am an artist," ask yourself the following questions.
-
Can I go into my studio or workspace daily and make art?
-
Can I protect my studio time with the demands of all those
other areas, in addition to the other commitments I have in my personal life?
-
Can I separate my emotions from my artwork?
-
Is there a market for what I make? If there isn't a current
market, can I make one?
If you are to become a working artist who earns a
paycheck, the answers to the above must be all yes's. Most likely adjustments will need to be made.
Furthermore what you initially prepare for may not be adequate. You can always finesse as you go
along. And that's ok - part of the fun of being an artist is the freedom to structure your life for
the best fit possible.
So honestly think about your personal artmaking
process. Turning your art into a commodity will test your emotional fortitude in ways you never
imagined. Forethought will better prepare you for the following scenarios:
-
You will hear people criticizing your work, telling their
friends under their breaths that their 5 year old can paint just like that.
-
You will have people roll their eyes when you quote a
commission and say "You're not serious?!"
-
You will have a mountain of rejection letters from galleries,
juries and other sources saying your work didn't make the cut.
-
You will have deadlines that, over time, could change your
perception or enjoyment level in the creation process.
Can you handle the above? If so, prepare yourself
to handle the following as well:
-
The awed discussion about process that occurs in front of one
of your pieces.
-
The tears of joy in a client's face when you deliver their
project, something they could not get anywhere else.
-
The personal sense of accomplishment when you see your work
hung in the company of those you viewed as mentors only a short time ago. The amazement
when you realize your work deserves to be there and holds it's own in that crowd.
-
The overwhelming calm that comes with true contentment and
the knowledge that you are living your dream on a daily basis.
Preparing yourself emotionally for the transition
from just being an artist to being a working artist is the biggest part of the journey. The rest is
cake. It's hard work, eating cake every day (someone's got to do it), but it'll also be more
rewarding and healthier all around if you take the time to think about these points and begin to
ready yourself.
And don't forget your mantra.
"I am an artist." You are, aren't you?
|