How to make it as an artist?
As most important questions go, the answer comes through another question. What is making it to you? For some it is merely being able to express the essence of emotion to a small public, and for others it might involve economic satisfaction through your art. And even to others making it might merely be completing a work in progress or creating a new form of art. So in order to answer the question “How to make it as an artist” you must first define making it to your personal standard.
But I do realize that the majority of artist would rather be focused on being able to make a livelihood through their art. Meaning you can eat while doing what you love! This aspect of “making it as an artist” have many different facets to consider and later on I will expand on all the various different methods of actually making money off of your art. For now I will only refer to the first step, which could probably be the most important.
If you are a musician, writer, dancer, painter, sculptor etc. then the most important factor for you is exposure. There are two types of exposure required for an artist to be truly successful: Exposure to the public, Exposure to artists.
Exposure to the public:
There are truly many platforms that you can obtain this type of exposure, whether it is virtual or in real life. In regards to the virtual world make a public portfolio, facebook group, twitter account, myspace, reverbnation account and so forth to have a hub where people can learn more about you and what you do. In real life there are also many platforms where you can show off your work. Whether it is a café, or a bar, festival, park or anything really where many people gather, it is a good idea to get there.
The reason exposure to a public is so important is simply because you begin to read people more effectively. You can read a crowd and begin to learn to know what they want. You can receive constructive criticism on your blogs, and create a fan base as well. Since art is a very personal thing it can be difficult to throw yourself in front of a public, but it is something that you will definitely have to do if you want to make money from your art.
Just as important as public exposure is an exposure to a group of likeminded artists. Many people will find the excuse and say they don’t know any other artists. This friends, is the biggest lie on the planet, and nobody is buying it. If you claim to not know any other artist on the block then you have been living in a cave all your life. And it is about time that you take a walk or drive to a place where other artists might be hanging out. It is time to practice the ancient art of making friends! If still you are too afraid to approach complete strangers, you can always find online groups and make virtual friends. The point is that you need to get creative feedback.
The renaissance taught us one thing, that when artists come together…AMAZING STUFF HAPPENS! The collective power of artistic fellowship is the key to creating True Art. By being able to feed off of each other’s creativity you will in turn create a vast space of creation. This will then ignite the power of creation and will inspire you to make some completely unique forms of artistic expression. This is what True Art Gathering is all about. The essence of art in the collective creativity of independent artists!
If you can understand these important elements and keep them always in place; slowly but surely you will begin to see the way to make it as an artist. It’s not easy, and trust me it never will be. But it the moment that you sell your first CD, or painting, or book…there will be nothing to compare that feeling.
The world is waiting for the arts to whisper into its ear and guide it to peace and serenity. Artists have brought humanity out of the dark ages, and once more the need for artistic guidance is very apparent. Just take a look at the news and tell me what you see.
The machinery of society blinds the world; the glitter and gold have hypnotized us all. It is time that Art is manifested once more to create the new path for us to walk. This chapter in our history books will now end, and through the grassroots movements of independent artists will tomorrow be birthed.
PS. In the future the blog will have less content to make it an easier read, thanks to those who stuck and read it all....
