( . . . Or the Year of Living Dangerously.)
By Betsy Lewis, Art Career Strategist
Many accomplished artists tell me they are feeling discouraged about their art careers. Here’s the story of a woman -- who at the ripe old age of 53 -- decided to be an artist and challenged herself to make a success of it in one year.
This is how she did it:
1. She created a “body of artwork”, logo, website, blog, newsletter, online store and gallery, and Myspace, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages.
2. She printed a business card, rack card, posters, fliers, postcards and amassed a mailing list.
3. She appeared on TV, radio, and in the press.
4. She wrote resumes, biographies, artist statements, press releases, art articles and a gallery guide.
5. She networked, exhibited, judged, researched, submitted, collaborated, attended, joined, taught, mentored, donated and volunteered.
6. Not only did she do these things for herself -- she did them for other artists at the same time.
7. During this time she did not blame anyone or anything. She did not bemoan the economy or her own poverty or lack of time.
8. She decided to deliberately ignored fear, self-doubt and detractors who did not understand her vision.
9. When she didn’t know how to do something she hired an expert or found a teacher.
10. When she made mistakes she apologized and forgave herself.
During this year she sold 40 of her creations. This woman has a bright future in the art world.
This woman is me.
I tell you this not to toot my own horn but to prove a point:
If a completely unknown artist in her declining years can build an art career in one year . . . You can do it too!
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Building an art career is easy . . . . It’s just a lot of work!
Follow this blog to read the Betsy Lewis series titled "The Year of Living Dangerously" to learn more about how you can build an art career in one year!
Betsy Lewis
Art Career Strategist
www.arteventproductions.com
betsy@arteventproductions.com
Wow Betsy, You are something! Yea for older savvy women. You have a do or die attitude. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Betsy! I posted your link in our Yahoo Group room for the Rio Rancho Art Association. I thought many could benefit from what you had to say here.
ReplyDeleteMany of our members are reluctant to do anything new.
I guess they are still waiting for the Fairy Godmother...
Hi Betsy - I came across your blog thru your LinkedIn post. I'm 55, and a brief bout of insanity caused me to leave my perfectly good job last September to pursue a lifelong dream as an artist/photographer. Little did I know the bottom would fall out of the economy and my contingency funds. It's been a wild ride and your story helps to keep the fires burning. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteDoug.
The post is really very good there are many guys who are willing to set their life as an Artist. I mailed this URL to those guys. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. I'm only 25, but as an artist, dream of being successful in who I am. For a few years I discredited my art passion as 'simply a hobby', but the more I've looked into "real world" careers, the more I come back to my base.
ReplyDeleteHopefully your trials can help inspire, and guide me on ways I can build my art business (Sculpted jewelry, ornaments, and my photography) and be successful at being myself.
I have discovered your blog through Linkedin and am so glad I have. You are such an inspiration. I really like points 7 and 8.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading more!