Here they are! I posted a few of these on Instagram over the summer and there was a lot of engagement about them. I figure you deserve the entire list and this may turn into a reference for one of my classes.
I see a lot of people offering tips and advice to artists. Some of these people are not working artists and many have no idea what it feels like to deal with the thoughts and feelings an artist may encounter on a daily basis. If you're new here, I am a working artist and a very productive one. I've been making artwork professionally for 20 years. Happy to discuss if you have questions.
1. Snacks and naps. You can survive on snacks and naps. Seriously. Whatever your situation is, there’s nothing a good nap and a snack can’t fix.
2. Work work work!!! Get to work. Now. This is the sign you’ve been waiting for. Put the screen down, put your phone in another room and get to work. Nothing good will happen if you’re not working.
3. Seriously, get to work. I know you can think of a hundred other things you need to do right now but none of those are as important as you getting to work. Procrastination kills. Go now.
4. You can make anything you want. Unless you’re working on an assignment for school or a specific commission that you agreed to, you can literally make anything you want. Wanting to make it makes it valid.
5. There are no rules. There are guidelines and rational reasons why certain things should be avoided, but nothing great happens when you follow all the rules. Rules are boring and so are people who follow them. We do what we want.
6. You actually are an artist now. An artist is not some future version of you. An artist is a person who creates with the intention to communicate. If that’s you, congratulations, you’re an artist.
7. Be nice. It’s a small world and artists talk. Galleries talk. Museums talk. Everything and everyone is connected. If you’re a butthole, everyone will know soon.
8. Be grateful. It may feel like a curse every now and again, but getting to make art is a gift. You get to play for a living. You get paid to have fun. This is, of course, a two parter….
9. Yes, it’s hard. The hardest thing you’ll ever do is create art. Physically and mentally this is very difficult work. If it were easy, everyone would do it and no one would be amazed by it. This is a reason to be grateful and to get to work.
10. Everything you do will not be great. Accept that and keep working. Something you do will be great and even better, it may change some stranger’s life. This is the noble work of the artist.
11. Be afraid. Be afraid of not being good enough. Be afraid of not being able to replicate success. Be afraid of not drawing, sculpting or painting well. Be afraid and do it anyway. Everyone is afraid all the time.
12. Your art is finished when you say it is. You may turn it out in hours or you may revisit it after years pass. People like to say art is never finished. Nonsense. It’s finished when you say it is.
13. It’s OK to make work to sell. It’s OK to make work to show in a weird gallery. It’s OK to make work that you never show to anyone. You’re an artist and you can do whatever you want.
14. Do not create a design or work of art for someone for free with the promise of “good exposure”. My dentist never offered a free crown so I’d mention his name. There’s absolutely no reason for you to work for free.
15. It’s OK to have a full time job that is not art related. Sometimes we have really good jobs that allow us to buy art supplies and to have the time we need to create. Do what works for you. You’re still a real artist.
16. The TV is not your friend. I realize you probably call it something else now, streaming, Netflix or whatever, but if you want to be a productive artist, you don’t have time for that nonsense. Turn it off and get to work.
17. Beware of scams. Scammers love artists. They’ll email you directly and say they love your work. I know it felt good that someone liked your work enough to email you, but it’s a scam. Delete and get back to work.
18. No one is going to knock on your door and offer you a show. If you want your work out there, you are going to have to put it out there. Email galleries, enter juried shows, go talk to your local arts center, heck, create your own exhibit. Just don’t wait on someone else to promote you.
19. Art is not a competition. Literally no other human can make the exact thing that you can make. No one can be you. Work hard, do your best and some days luck will reward you. (Also a two parter…)
20. Art is absolutely a competition. There are limited spots in that juried show. There are limited spaces on that exhibition calendar. There are limited funds in that grant pool. If you want them, you better be working hard and doing your best.
21. Your art will be rejected. A LOT. You should expect a 90% rejection rate. Be grateful for the 10%. Do not confuse yourself with your art. They didn’t reject YOU. They rejected your art.
22. Art is magic. Artists are magicians. Historically, they were the shamans who could see into the spirit world. Artists were sought out to guide, advise and console communities. This is what artists do today. This is not just a hobby, it is important work that you can contribute as your civic duty. If you don’t do it, it may not get done. Get to work!
23. Be kind to yourself. Do not talk to yourself in a way that you would not speak to someone else. Negative self-talk will kill your spirit and stop you from working. Rational criticism is crucial for growth, but it needs to actually be rational. You do not suck. Your art is not trash. You just need to get back to work.
24. Try something new. You’re not just a painter or a sculptor or a designer. You’re an artist. You can do anything you want.
25. Say yes. Always say yes to opportunities. Never done that before? Say yes. Not sure you can pull it off? Say yes. Scared? Say yes. The uncertainty is where you grow.
26. Keep it interesting. Switch up what you do. Finish a large work and then see how small you can go. Known for your 3D work? Make some 2D work. Got your style down so well you could do it in your sleep? Make a new style. You’ll push yourself and force yourself to learn new things.
27. Stop listening to idiots. If the person criticizing your work isn’t a working artist that you have a great deal of respect for, do not take their advice or criticism. Smile, say thank you and throw those comments in the mental trash bin.
28. Write down compliments about your work. When you overhear someone saying something nice about your work in a gallery, write it down. When someone tells you they love your work, write it down. Then read those comments on the darker days.
29. Work all the time. Life is short and you’re supposed to be positively contributing to society while you’re breathing. You’re not positively contributing when you’re watching Netflix or otherwise procrastinating. Close your laptop, put away your phone and go work.
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