If you do a little research, you will find out that there many jobs that require an artistic flair and can give graduates with an Arts degree much scope for creativity. Whether you are a fan of religious art, sculpture modeling, or abstract painting, here are a few tips that will help you start your own art career.
10 Tips For Starting An Art Career
1. Be Persistent
Do not let anybody stop you from doing what you like. Remember that practice makes perfect and hard work always pays off. Criticism should be probably taken into consideration along the way, as it shapes the direction of your practice. However, never try to meet the needs of the masses by deliberately forcing your work.
2. Maintain A Master CV
Keeping track of everything you achieve plays an important role in your career. A master CV allows storing all of the details of your career in one place, thus helping with the job search. Always tailor your CV to make the most of this document and stand out as an applicant.
3. Get Organized
Never underestimate proper arrangements in your workplace or studio because even a few adjustments can make a difference in the quality of your work. A good idea is to save all your important information in one place and set up an inventory of your works, preferably on your computer. An online art portfolio is essential these days. This way, it will be easier to track the location of each item and interact with curators, galleries, collectors, and potential clients more smoothly.
4. Meet People
It is no secret that most artists tend to work alone in their studios. For that reason, they often feel lonely and isolated. If you do not want it to happen with you, take your time to get together with other people from your local art community to share your thoughts and advice. Besides, it is important to befriend not only people who have more experience than you but also artists who are just starting out. Make strong connections to overcome any challenges on your way to a successful art career.
5. Compete Only With Yourself
Never measure yourself by how many awards you have won or art shows you have been exhibited at. Avoid any types of contests or competitions at the beginning of your art career. Remember that you simply cannot please everyone and focus on your art.
6. Find Your Target Audience
You may be confused by the question of who will “consume” your art, and answering this may require some time. Pay more attention to the themes and subjects you explore. For example, if your art addresses medical issues, organize a small exhibition or auction of your works in a local hospital or survivor’s group. In case your work speaks to children, approach daycare centers, elementary schools, or summer camps.
7. Share Your Work
For artists, it is extremely important to be active on social media. Try your hardest to share your works with the world. If you are ready to reach out to curators or galleries directly, go ahead and draft a formal email that provides concise information about you and your available art pieces. Carry out research to find out where your work would be a good fit. This will help you avoid an excess of rejection letters and save a lot of time.
8. Learn Constantly
Whether you are going to attend creative classes in your local museum or find an online course to take from home, this will both give you a break from studio time and help you learn. You can also buy books in audio format and listen to them while doing something else.
9. Go Outside
Do not be afraid of working at the center of attention. Take every opportunity to work in public and paint from life. Working from life will teach you to become more adept at color and composition, while painting from photos may stunt your creative growth, especially if you are a beginner. Going outside guarantees you will create something original and unique.
10. Do Not Give Up Your Day Job
Make sure you do not find yourself struggling to pay for rent and health insurance while climbing the art career ladder. Do not allow the dream of earning a living by making art to turn into a nightmare. Try to find a day job that does not require all your time and energy. Then, decide a regular time for working on your art (e.g., late at night when your family sleeps or on Saturday morning). Do not hesitate to ask a close friend or family member to watch your kids for some time or consider hiring a babysitter when you want to have uninterrupted time to create art.
Start Your Art
Hopefully, these tips will help you find the way to take the next step in your art career. Good luck professional artist!
