How To Succeed As An Artist
July 15, 2008
How To Succeed As An Artist
The meaning of “success as an artist” is probably as varied as the number of people who consider themselves artists. While not every artist would define success as gaining a foothold in the market I think it’s safe to say that every artist’s definition of success includes “doing their best work”. We all want to succeed at doing our best work, don’t we?
Whether we are beginning, intermediate, advanced or master; each time we sit at our easel with a blank canvas there is gulf between us and what we envision as our best work. Our vision is usually rooted in our understanding. The gulf represents the disparity between that understanding and our ability. Our reach often exceeds our grasp, as well it should. Our brush will, over time, gain ground. It doesn’t always happen as quickly as we’d like. Painting can be frustrating and painful when we don’t see some progress. We may think we lack the talent. We may even stop for a time. When the pain of not working exceeds the pain of working, we start again. And there in lies the seed of success. We have to keep working. It helps to realize that the vast majority of our work is done learning how to do our best work. Viewed in this light failed paintings are learning experiences. They are not meant for show. Each failed painting puts us one step closer to our best. It is common knowledge that Thomas Edison conducted thousands of experiments making the light bulb (please see my comment below) before he found one way that worked. Why should it be any different for artists? I recently read that a certain well known landscape painter has ritual bonfires twice a year to get rid of his failed field studies. He’s at the top of his game and has enough failed compositions to burn them twice a year!
The fact of the matter is as the late Edgar Payne said, “Nature does not capriciously scatter her secrets as golden gifts to lazy poets and luxurious darlings, but imposes tasks when she presents opportunities.” Payne also wisely pointed out, “Knowledge always precedes execution. No one can paint better than he knows how.” He recommended that we accumulate knowledge, study nature often and practice continually. I guarantee if you employ this strategy growth will happen. You will do your best work. Your best work will find it’s place in the market.
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6 Responses to “How To Succeed As An Artist”
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[...] I had no idea that Robert Simone ever did a lousy painting; this piece appears to be a backhanded admission. So there may be hope for me [...]
As a painter, I must say that Thomas Edison did not invent the light bulb, Nikola Tesla did:)
Just giving credit where credit is due.
Quality does not mean a thing in today’s market if you’re doing outdated landscapes. The best you’ll hope for is an article in American Artist.
Good advise! I’m trying to make a name for myself and it’s nice to know that I’m on the right track. I’m creating everyday and it feels amazing. Every painting is a new discovery. I just need someone who has a business sense to help me sell and make a living doing what I love… to create!
For those of you who may feel compelled to chastise me for my comments about Edison in this post please note that the original post never stated that Edison “invented” the light bulb. I intentionally used the word “making” rather than “inventing”. I am aware that Edison did not invent the light bulb, he improved on a 50 year old invention. He did, however invent the incandescent light:
“Edison’s eventual achievement was inventing not just an incandescent electric light, but also an electric lighting system that contained all the elements necessary to make the incandescent light practical, safe, and economical.” http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bledison.htm#Lightbulb
The purpose of this post was to encourage and exhort artists. Not split hairs over what Edison did or did not achieve.
All the arts in my blood!!