Tips For Making it As An Artist

I always see posts like this all the time, but all they say is "DoNt LEt PeoPle TeLl YoU WhAt To dO" ... well yes but i want to get a little more realistic. as a young artist i was always stuck with asking myself "how do i make it out there as an artist?" or "how do i make money off my art?". Though being an artist is not all about making money, being a serious artist is.

So here are some of my tips for making it as an artist.

1. BUILD YOUR PORTFOLIO

   Because without a portfolio, how will people know what your art looks like? You can have a physical portfolio, a digital portfolio, or both. At 15, I started an Instagram account and used it as a portfolio. So when people ask, "What kind of art do you do?" you show them everything right then and there! This is also great for building an audience for your art, but if you want to see engagement, you need to post every day or every other day. As a 15-year-old, I breathed drawing, so every time I drew something, I posted it even if I didn't like it! And you will feel discouraged about not getting likes or not getting followers, your small, feeble mind should not be stopped by that, POST POST POST. And if you're wondering, well, what social media is the best? ... ALL OF THEM.

   
   

2. GET CONNECTED

   For the love of god, PLEASE make connections if you want to be out there as an artist, being an artist means being connected with the art community and being connected to people who like your art or art in general. talk to your school teachers and professors, go to artist talks, go to art openings, TALK TO PEOPLE! Now I know most artists are introverts and despise socializing that should not stop you. even online, message your favourite artists, comment on people's posts, join online communities, POST FANART. (surprisingly, I got the most connections through posting fanart of things I love). communication and connections will be the best thing for you, it gets you connected with people that will be interested in your work, and it will connect you to other artists.

   
   

3. TAKE CRITICISM

   Shove your ego up your ass and take some criticism. You will never grow as an artist if you think your art is amazing all the time; you need to learn and evolve your practice as an artist. If you're not good at anatomy, draw the human body until your hand hurts. If you don't like abstract art, DO ABSTRACT ART. You are allowed to be proud of your artwork, and you should be, just don't get too crazy with it. A good lesson I learned from my professors is to cover up your favourite thing about your piece, don't fixate on one aspect of a painting or drawing or whatever you're working on, focus on the whole thing.

   
   

4. EMAIL PEOPLE AND GET USED TO THE ANSWER BEING "NO"

   You will be denied constantly, or you won't even get a reply. And that's normal! But email random people! Attach your portfolio and send them a message explaining how you're an artist and you would love to collaborate with that person/company. start local, then gradually go out. You would be surprised, but there will always be a needle in a haystack that will look at your art and say, "Hey, that's pretty cool!"

   
   

5. ART RESIDENCIES

   If you have the ability to, go travel, get out there! Art residencies are a great way to explore as an artist. To travel to a different country or to just stay local, you will open yourself up to other artists, multiple art spaces and get to know the community. This is also a great space for getting connected, but most importantly, it will get you experience out in the art world, for being in galleries, group/solo shows and also selling artwork.

   
   

6. SCHOOL

   Most artists have an art degree, and schooling is very expensive. I totally get it. But if you have the chance to go to a school and major in visual arts, DO IT. I have learned everything I know through university, hell, most things I'm saying in this post are because I learnt it from my professors. Schooling will get you connected, and you will learn the most about yourself being an artist; it will immensely improve your art-making. I went in being a high schooler who did digital art and drawing characters to a large-scale painter, and a charcoal drawer and i am truly greatful i evolved to create artwork like that. and that dousnt mean you need to stop doing what you where doing in the past at all, i still dabble in digital art all the time! You're the artist after all, you can do whatever you want. But having a degree under your belt also looks great on your résumé/CV, and education is not a waste of money.

So hopefully I helped you get your foot in the right direction of starting, obviously you don't need to take any of my advice, I'm just some rando on the internet, but if it resonates with you, I'm happy and wish you so much luck in the art world.

If you have more questions, feel free to ask :)