Secret to Success As An Artist – Work, Work, Work

Yes, there’s no way around it.  If your goal is to be a successful, full-time artist, you must be in the studio constantly, consistently creating art.  Several techniques you will find useful:

-Set a consistent allotment of time every day, during which you commit to be in the studio creating; then stick to that schedule religiously. Consider your time in the studio sacred, and ask your family and friends to respect that time.

-Set a goal to create a certain number of works per week.  Two per week is a good start.

-Get distractions out of the studio.  If possible move the computer to another room, or at least turn it off during your studio time.   Also, turn your cell phone off.  Studio time is a time for you to disconnect.

Before you approach galleries, you should have 20-25 gallery-ready pieces in your inventory of two dimensional pieces.  By definition, a gallery-ready piece is fit for display upon a gallery wall, and for immediate purchase by the client.

Don’t expect a gallery to ask for all of your pieces, as typically they only take a sampling of your work for display.  However, you want to offer them a wide enough variety to provide a selection of pieces they feel will work best in their gallery.  You also want to show them you have a sufficient inventory to rotate and replace pieces as they sell.

From “Starving to Successful” by J. Jason Horejs