I went to a group painting show at the Tag Gallery at Bergamont Station in Santa Monica, CA last Saturday afternoon (April 10, 2015) for an artist talk with painters: Betty Sheinbaum, Daniel Janotta, and Shelley Lazarus. The conversation was intimate and moreover, it was refreshing to listen to these seasoned artists talk honestly about their work, their process, and their goals for the future.
During the Q+A session towards the end of the conversation, I had a chance to ask a question that I’ve been thinking, talking, and writing about a lot recently — How do you become a successful artist?
Let’s be honest–it’s easy to be an artist. You don’t need a degree, you don’t need fancy tools, or a lot of money. All you really need is the drive and willingness to make art. The real challenge, though, is becoming successful as an artist. Phrased in another way: How do artists translate their ambitions and art into something that is sustainable for their lives?
Daniel Janotta and Shelley Lazarus offer these three words-of-wisdom for artists.
1. Be a Good Business Person
Many talented artists deny themselves of financial success and stability because they are so caught up in the process of making art that they forget they have to eat. I’ve seen this before and I’ll probably see it again, but I don’t want to fit into the ‘starving artist’ mold.
That’s why Daniel Janotta’s advice resonated strongly with me. He touched on some specifics of good business strategies like making a good website, having a social media presence, and developing a marketing plan. These are all things that I’ve been working hard on for the past two years so I’m happy that he touched on these more technical aspects of self-marketing.
I’ve been taking a more business-minded approach to some of my own projects including my harmonographics and my all-encompassing transmedia project, The Musical Melodyians that I have been working on for the past three years.
2. Don’t Fear Rejection
Shelley Lazarus was emphatic about this point and who can blame her? If artists quit after the first or third or hundreth time they were rejected, we would not study the great artists like Vincent Van Gogh or Pablo Picasso.
This advice reminded me of a time when I ‘quit’ art for about three years in my adolescence when my grief-stricken and beloved art teacher coldly informed me that I should give up art because there was no way I would get better or make it. Looking back at that time, I wish I was more resilient to rise gracefully from that rejection.
Rising from the ashes is a constant journey, especially when rejection seems to be around every corner. I can honestly say that I no longer fear rejection, but it doesn’t make the pill easier to swallow.
It’s all a process, I suppose.
3. Be Comfortable with Seeing your Work
Another tasty tidbit from Shelley was being 100% comfortable with seeing your artwork and your name anywhere and everywhere — in coffee shops, galleries, your bedroom, your kitchen, your friend’s house, etc. I’ve heard this advice before and it’s a good one! Seeing your work prominently displayed forces artists to think and talk intelligently about their artwork which makes for better conversations and eventually better art!
Not only does putting your work in various places increase the chances of someone else seeing (and buying) your work, looking at your work helps develops self-confidence and also demonstrates progress. I sometimes revisit my work from college and think: ‘WOW, I’ve come a long way.’
I recommend this to anyone who doubts their artistic abilities. On the days when I’m feeling down, looking back really helps me move forward.
A layer of mystique and misunderstanding often masks the creative decisions that artists make in their art making process. That’s why it is important to dedicate a space and time to understanding the people and their intentions behind the art. Because honestly, most of us take art and artists for granted.
A big thank you to Betty Sheinbaum, Shelley Lazarus, and Daniel Janotta and the team at Tag Gallery. It was very insightful and inspiring to listen to these experienced artists talk about their art and offer their advice.