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Sometime last week Marisa from
Creative Thursday twittered about the entrepreneurial spirit of most successful artists as opposed to the usual preception of the "starving artist." It really got me thinking about my little journey as an artist thus far.
When I first started tinkering around with the idea of drawing for a living, my darling father would make comments about how the world didn't need another starving artist. To which I always replied, "you're only a starving artist if that's what you want to be."
And I truly believe that.
In this day and age with all the venues to sell and promote artwork, with a bit of business sense and a heavy dose of entrepreneurial spirit, it's virtually impossible to be a starving artist. Unless you have some noble idea about true artists not "selling out" and blah blah blah.
And I think sell out is a ridiculous term anyway--artist's need to feed their families too so why not take a few side freelance jobs or design a few business logos here and there? Especially if it gives you the ability to do what you really love in the end, which is art, right?
It seems that as I become more and more successful, I get more and more emails--especially right now as people are losing their "real jobs" and turning to the handmade/art world for an income--emails asking for advice and tips. I'm always happy to oblige but am also a bit timid about giving out advice just because every situation and every artist is so different.
What worked for me might not work for you. What worked for someone else might not work for me.
In the end it's mostly about trial and error.
But overall I do think that most successful artists are also entrepreneurs. Artists first, but entrepeneurs second.
I think when I first started my business--long before I was able to quit my day job to illustrate full time--I harbored that belief that if I drew it, someone would buy it. Totally doesn't work that way for most people :)
Since then--an especially since I finally ditched my day job a few months ago--I've been thinking a lot more like an entrepreneur. I still draw and paint what I love, but I've learned to keep my finger on the pulse of the handmade/artistic world. I'm no longer afraid of taking risks and trying something crazy and new, because if it doesn't work, I just find a new way of looking at things.
It's been such an asset to my business and my mental well-being to think like both an artist and a business woman. I feel so much more in control of my destiny as an illustrator when I just take charge--whether it's shamelessly promoting myself now or opening a second little
shop to expand my line.
I feel like as long as I continue to strive to grow my business and my talents I will continue to grow in success as well.
