Written by Anybody who has any experience as an artist knows how difficult it is to be successful. It takes a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck to create art as more than just a hobby, but there are things that you can do to increase your chances of success. Here are just a few to keep in mind.
Follow the Trends in Your Field
Even though you should be creating art for yourself first, you should still keep an eye on the current trends in your field. Check out some social networks that are popular with other artists, or take a look at the kinds of art and craft projects that have been selling recently. It’s important not to outright copy what is popular at the moment, but there’s nothing wrong with taking inspiration from it.
Share Your Work in a Smart Way
You will never find success as an artist if people don’t see your work. Fortunately, the internet has made it easier than ever for artists to share their creations with the rest of the world. You probably have an online presence already via Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and any other social networking sites you might be on. You should aim to use your online presence to attract potential job opportunities. Create an online portfolio, or at least post what you think is the best representation of your work. While you’re at it, follow fellow creators that you admire and would perhaps like to work with you. Not only are these artists a great source of inspiration, but they might be able to point you in the direction of potential jobs even if they don’t have anything for you at the moment.
Work Consistently
Even if you aren’t finding paying jobs right away, you should work on creating a consistent body of work. This will be tough at first if you’re still learning and honing your skills, but it’s something that must be done. You will eventually develop your own distinct voice and eye as long as you keep creating work, but that will happen much faster if you stick to a certain niche and style.
The most important thing to remember when trying to succeed as an artist is to keep on working. It will be difficult at first, and you will probably need to find another means of supporting yourself for a while, but you will find a measure of success as long as you keep doing what you love.
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