Episode 71: Going the extra mile in the art world
In this week’s show Laura and Peter discuss stamina. Not the most glamorous artistic attribute, but one every working artist will need by the bucket. So pick yourself up, dust yourself off and listen to our guide to developing your perseverance!
The Useful Stuff
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Be realistic, it takes time to establish yourself and become a successful working artist. It is a marathon not a sprint. Pace yourself and enjoy building your career. When lucky breaks happen, embrace them, but don’t depend on them to move you forward.
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There’s a lot of hard graft at the beginning and you’ll have to put in plenty of work for what seems like very little reward. Don’t be disheartened. Every working experience, however unpromising at the time, is a step towards establishing yourself. Research a few famous artists if you need solidarity; most have grim tales to tell about their early years.
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Keeping professional calls for stamina, whether that’s facing the public with a happy face, doing endless paperwork, or dealing with rejection from a gallery. It’s not easy, but it is part of the job. Make sure you have down time and can be honest with family and close friends. Keeping your chin up in public is much easier if you can let rip in private!
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No excuses, it takes stamina to make art. You have to keep turning up and keep creating, in spite of setbacks and challenges. It can be a lonely business and there’s very little in the way of industry standards to hold you accountable. You are as good as your current work, so keep going; the more you practice, the better that current work will be.
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Keeping your standards high is crucial and that certainly takes stamina. It is vital to understand your materials and explore your potential. Factor in time to learn and practice as part of your creative output. Art is a lifelong learning experience so enjoy discovering new things about yourself and pushing your work in new directions.
Takeaway
Patience, dedication and hard work are the holy trinity when it comes to building an art career. It will take time, so enjoy the journey!
This Podcast is sponsored by Michael Harding Colours. For more information about Michael’s colour range or to find a retailer near you, please visit www.michaelharding.co.uk
