4 Things Every Artist Should Know before they Start

Being an Artist is a rewarding feat, being able to express your thoughts, emotions, opinions through your work and make a living out of it. There are a few things that come close to that feeling. A job that feeds and fuels your creativity, allows you to express yourself the way you wish and there is no right or wrong way to do so. It sounds like a dream, but it comes with its own set of difficulties and frustrations.

It's easy to get lost in the aesthetic nature of what it means to be an artist, but its important to be realistic. Here are 4 things that every artist should know before they begin their journey into the profession of art. 

1 - Don't expect to succeed right away

A big part of being an artist is marketing your work in order to make a living off of it. It’s difficult to achieve commercial success immediately after you begin. Unfortunately someone won't always see you as a struggling artist on the side of the street and pay you millions for your work. Might happen, but the chances are quite low. 

That also does not mean that you’ll be a struggling artist for forever, there are means to make money. As long as you have a strategy and are resourceful, you’ll be just fine. It will take time, you can’t expect to begin and succeed in the same hour. 

2 - Have a good foundation at your base

In order to succeed in the art world, its important to have a good strategy and idea as to how you’re going to go about selling and marketing your work. Teaming with companies and platforms that specialize in this could be of assistance to you. 

Here at Artsome, we strive to do just that. We pride ourselves on being a one-stop resource for Modern and Contemporary art in the region, taking art beyond a niche audience and making it accessible to everyone. 

Joining us can help you get seen by people, sell your work without ever worrying about the larger logistics of it all and focusing on just creating.  

3 - Know that the world of art is heavily rigged

Whether it's the algorithm of social media shadow banning you and your work, or modern art movements as a whole, the world of art plays in the favor of no artist. 

The world of art went from realism to vibrant colors, dramatized paintings to things like a single line drawn on a white canvas. While modern art has its own roots and message it relays, it does feel like backward progress of work. People who have never picked up an art tool are dictating the trajectory of ‘what is art’ simply because they have the money to do so. Don’t get caught up in these progresses of art movements, stick to what it is that you want to create. Social Media, also has a knack of shadow banning artists and creators who are not white, cisgender, heterosexual, a phenomenon seen by the masses. Know that you are not alone in this, and what is important is that your work is at the very least getting out there.

4- Create what you want

The larger temptation to create work that fits into what is popular, what's trending is completely valid. At the end of the day, you’re an artist, but you also need to survive. Its important to know that the art world is relatively rigged against us, if you create work that fits in with the trends and not you, it shows. 

It’s important to not let go of your vision that you carry, to transfer that vision, message to your work. It's about creating something personable to you, art is often a conversation starter, make sure yours tells a story.