Artist-to-Artist Advice
Written and published 2014, this is a revisiting of lessons along my creative journey. As true today as nearly a decade ago. May it inspire you on your own journey.
Over the years I’ve had the awesome opportunity to interview some of my favorite artists. One thing I love asking artists (because I’m always aching to know myself) is what piece of advice they wish they had received when they started their creative career.
Of course there is a whole lot of value in learning things the hard way – allowing the lessons to become etched into who you are as an artist and a person, but good heavens, wouldn’t it be nice to just learn and to be encouraged by these things from the onset?
That’s why I ask. Because, so often the creative life can feel open and lonely and even scary. It’s nice to know that others have walked in your path and have succeeded! Share this post with a creative friend that may need the encouraging reminder themselves…
If you don’t ‘have it’ one day,
and the paint isn’t flowing…
don’t be afraid to put the brush down and
come back to it later.
”I think staying busy and always working even if it’s for an hour is helpful. I have a 4 year old a full time job, so it’s hard to find time. If I can steal away for an hour in the evening I always feel so much better than if I didn’t.
One more thing…If you don’t “have it” one day and the paint just isn’t flowing the way you want it to. Don’t be afraid to put the brush down and comeback to it later.” - Jamie Lauler Solberg
Have very high expectations of your work.
Look at a lot of great art, know why it is great,
& aim for those qualities in your own work.
“It’s good to be hard on yourself and have very high expectations of your work.
Look at a lot of great art, know why it is great and aim for those qualities in your own work. Learn to recognize your strengths, don’t try to force yourself into a style of art that doesn’t fit your skills or style even if its work you admire.
Just create a lot and be patient with yourself.
Eventually you will come into yourself as an artist and it will be fun to trace back life events (like motherhood) to see how life effects the charcoal you just danced all over a page.
In the mean time, network and become friends with supportive, wise people who also want you to succeed. I am very thankful I have a lot of them in my life.” - Annie Koelle
Passion, Dedication, and Belief
in what you are doing
are the key ingredients to success.
“If you are not extremely passionate about making art, it’s probably not the best career option for you. It’s certainly not an easy way to make a living, but if you have to create art to feel like yourself, that is a very good place to start!
Focus on creating the work & developing the style for a good while before you start to focus on marketing.
I’ve noticed lately, that a lot of people are anxious to create a business out of their art before they have really developed themselves as an artist.
When you feel authentically ready to show and promote your work, I suggest putting together a really simple and beautiful website that highlights your work in a non-distracting way. Blogging is also a great way to share your story and keep things fresh for people who are interested in what you are doing. There are so many ways to connect online now through social media, etc.
It’s an amazing and powerful time to be an artist as the world is literally at your fingertips! But again, doing the work in the studio should be taking up more time than doing the promotional work on your computer. At least that’s my opinion.” - Flora Bowley
Missteps do not define you as an artist.
Each one of them is a tool, and in the end, they all do offer bits of information that you will take along with you to the next piece of work.
“The best advice is to stay true to subject matters that are close to your heart.
In the beginning (especially if you are a self-taught artist, like I am) it is also important to try out all of the different media that you can get your hands on. I have spent countless money over the years on buying new supplies. I still buy new spins on materials just to give it a shot and see if it’s something that I can incorporate into my work. By trying new materials and new combinations of materials it can help you identify a unique style.
And lastly, do not ever give up on the big picture. Every single artist out there has failures. I have them once or twice a week. You work so hard on something and you stick it to the end and it might end up not being a strong piece at all, something you might even decide to box up or throw away.
Those missteps do not define you as an artist. Each one of them is a tool and in the end they all do offer bits of information that you will take along with you to the next piece of work.” – Lauren Gray
Just create whatever you find interesting, and create a lot of it. The more you create, the more your craft will improve and your style will be refined.
“I got good advice from someone once a long time ago that seems really simple and annoying:
‘Keep making things.’
That’s it. Make stuff all the time. Even if what you make is awful you will inevitably learn something and get better at what you are making.
Oh, and don’t compare yourself constantly to others and their work. It will keep you from moving forward. I am still working on that one myself.” – Rachel T Robertson
Keep generating ideas and (above all) executing them well, which is something no one can steal from you.
“Work every day and put your work out there.
I know people will steal your ideas but so far I think that the value of having your work widely seen exceeds the downside of being copied. In my experience lasting professional relationships and a career come from your ability to keep generating ideas and — above all — executing them well, which is something no one can steal from you.” - Jorey Hurley
You get to define success for yourself.
No one else can do this.
You get to decide how big or small your goal is for your art & career.
"Understand that only you get to define success for yourself. No one else can do this. You get to decide how big or small a goal for your art/career.
If your aspiration is to be a full time artist though, and you aren’t independently wealthy, I would say first to understand how difficult it is.
Also, I would mention the fact that as a professional artist, you are signing up to be a business owner. I certainly wish I had been more prepared starting out to deal with this side of things. Administrative work, dealing with taxes, marketing, shipping art, providing customer service, documenting your work, etc.- all very different from creating art! Having a support system in place is a huge asset.
In the end, art has to be your passion and you have to be in it for the long haul. If this is you, then all of the hard work is completely worth it, when you are creating the life you want to live.”
– Lauren Adams
The strategy is this: find things that will inspire and keep the enthusiasm at high levels.
“I don’t think young artists need advice, especially if they are good artists – rather emerging and established ones do.
In my case, during college and right after you are driven by such an enthusiasm which is an amazing energy, nothing can stand in your way. A few years into it and you might loose some steam, that’s when you need a strategy.
And the strategy is: find things that will inspire and keep the enthusiasm at high levels!” – Ingrid Blixt
Just create whatever you find interest,
and create a lot of it.
The more you create, the more your craft will improve and your style will be refined.
“Just create whatever you find interesting, and create a lot of it.
I think whatever you are interested in and have passion for will be the most authentic thing you can make, and it doesn’t matter if it follows current trends or is like what ‘does well’ out there already.
The more you create, the more your craft will improve and your style will be refined.”
– Rachel Nanfelt
There are going to be days when it’s very hard to create, and those are the days that make you into the artist you dreamed of being.
This is something that rolls around my head when I am down, burdened, when creating feels like work, or when you long to reserve the time to create but life gets in the way.
This has been so great. Thank you for reading through these bits of advice along with me! I love asking other artists for advice and the perspective they offer. It’s like they’re seeing into my head and know exactly what I need to hear! I hope you’ll feel the same.
