People reach out and ask me all the time how to make money as an artist. Yep. Many well-meaning artists have asked this question and most believe that it’s a single answer, like there’s some shortcut or secret ad you can run to make everyone buy your art and make a million dollars.
SPOILER ALERT: There’s no silver bullet for learning how to become a successful artist. However, after working as a creative now for over 25 years, speaking to thousands and personally mentoring thousands of artists via my books, podcasts, and online artist mentoring program, I’ve come to understand some of what it takes to really thrive. I’m going to share some of those insights with you right here.
Since I also believe no one person has the corner on success, I reached out to several of my thriving artists friends who are creating beautiful work and selling the heck out of it all while living an incredible life.
Based on their input and my experience, here’s my top 29 tips for taking your artistic calling to the next level so that you can really start thriving in 2021.
- Have a Consistent Studio Practice and Treat it Seriously, like “Work”
- Don’t Wait for Inspiration… Start Creating
- Stay Focused by Minimizing Distractions
- Understand Why You Create & Stay Connected to that Story
- Keep Learning & Experimenting, Especially When You’re Successful
- Under Promise and Over Deliver.. in Everything
- Constantly Improve Your Communication Skills
- Fill Your Creative Well with Inspiration Outside Your Artistic Medium
- Cultivate a Positive Mental Attitude toward Your Work
- Avoid Negative Self-Talk
- Strive to be Uniquely You and Own It
- Practice Gratitude
- Cultivate Relationships with Your Clients
- Know Who Purchases Your Work & Why
- Listen to Your Heart
- Don’t Be Afraid
- Selectively Choose Your Place in the Market: Don’t Get Overexposed
- Focus Your Creative Expression within a Chosen Medium
- Practice Mindfulness, Prayer & Listening to the Still Small Voice
- Keep Pushing the Limits of Your Skills
- Always Deliver Excellence Quality
- Create a Business that Fits You
- Be Around Artists Who are Better Than You
- Be Open to Feedback & Constructive Criticism
- Go Deep, Not Wide
- Create Quiet, Reflective Spaces in Your Life
- Journal, Sketch & Steward Your Ideas Well
- Develop Meaningful Relationships with Other Artists
- Connect with the Creator who Created You to Be Creative
As you probably know by now, information doesn’t create change. Real change only happens when valuable information meets action and interaction; action on your part and interaction with others on your journey and an experienced mentor. Why, you ask? Most of the time, there are things in your life you just can’t see by yourself. For those who are willing, God uses mastermind and mentoring relationships to bring you to the next level of growth.
If you’d like to make this year your breakthrough year and really start thriving as an artist spiritually, artistically and in business, check out my Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program and read some of their stories! Thousands of artists just like you have made the decision to be a part and it’s changing lives.
Thanks again to all my artist friends who contributed to this list. Each one is creating great work, thriving as a professional artist and a joy to call friend!
| Matt Tommey Margie & Lonnie Johnson Suzanne Gernandt Christine Kosiba Cindy Walton | Cheyenne Trunnell Julia Fosson Phil DeAngelo Lorie McCown Lisa Kidd | Tom White John Almaguer Stephen St. Claire Mary Carol Koester |
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