Comments on: How To Become a Successful Artist - the usecase http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html Images and writing about my abstract contemporary textile art by Lisa Call. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:35:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Paula Dapkus http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html#comment-10360 Paula Dapkus Sat, 31 Mar 2007 12:57:20 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html#comment-10360 Thanks so much for your thoughts on how to be successful as an artist. While I've created art for years, I am just now starting to put together a body of work to sell, and that's intimidating. All of the questions pop up...is it worthy, will someone like it...is that what makes me feel successful? At 47, I think it was the 'voices of authority', that prevented me all of these years from taking this step. But, it is the transforming nature of creating that gives me the courage to take that step. Surprisingly, creating what I want to create has given me self-confidence. I find that there are a million voices of authorities that tell you,"...in order to be an artist, you must...". Fill in the blank with; have a MFA, be represented, be commissioned, be an artist of a specific type of media, etc. It's almost like there's a list of rules that you have to sign off on. I've learned to turn them off and listen to my heart. I think I've learned that being successful in life is finding joy in life, and art gives me joy. So, in a way, I'm already successful. I greatly appreciate how you've thought out the process of being successful as an artist, and you've given me some great direction. I was struggling with the choice of where to start: selling on my own, or trying the route of gallery. Staring with the question of what does success mean to me, helps me to reframe which direction to take. This will help me to set my goals more clearly. I love your blog, and found it through Martha Marshall's link. Thanks, Paula Thanks so much for your thoughts on how to be successful as an artist. While I’ve created art for years, I am just now starting to put together a body of work to sell, and that’s intimidating. All of the questions pop up…is it worthy, will someone like it…is that what makes me feel successful? At 47, I think it was the ‘voices of authority’, that prevented me all of these years from taking this step. But, it is the transforming nature of creating that gives me the courage to take that step. Surprisingly, creating what I want to create has given me self-confidence.
I find that there are a million voices of authorities that tell you,”…in order to be an artist, you must…”. Fill in the blank with; have a MFA, be represented, be commissioned, be an artist of a specific type of media, etc. It’s almost like there’s a list of rules that you have to sign off on. I’ve learned to turn them off and listen to my heart. I think I’ve learned that being successful in life is finding joy in life, and art gives me joy. So, in a way, I’m already successful.
I greatly appreciate how you’ve thought out the process of being successful as an artist, and you’ve given me some great direction. I was struggling with the choice of where to start: selling on my own, or trying the route of gallery. Staring with the question of what does success mean to me, helps me to reframe which direction to take. This will help me to set my goals more clearly. I love your blog, and found it through Martha Marshall’s link. Thanks, Paula

]]> By: Bob Ragland http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html#comment-10119 Bob Ragland Tue, 20 Mar 2007 19:02:20 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html#comment-10119 Good information about success. I think success is really subjective when it comes to an artist's life. To make some thing with one's hands and get some money for the art is a good measures of success. To be able to have bread and shelter from art is next to a miracle. I have an article in Five magazine ,issue 12. The side bar information contains some of the things that any artist can do to maintain a successful art life and career. Check out READFIVE.com-issue 12. Sincerely, Bob Ragland. Good information about success. I think success is really subjective when it comes to an artist’s life. To make some thing with one’s hands and get some money for the art is a good measures of success. To be able to have bread and shelter from art is next to a miracle. I have an article in Five magazine ,issue 12. The side bar information contains some of the things that any artist can do to maintain a successful art life and career. Check out READFIVE.com-issue 12.
Sincerely, Bob Ragland.

]]> By: barbe http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html#comment-10078 barbe Mon, 19 Mar 2007 01:41:49 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html#comment-10078 I found you thru the artist marketing post too, what a GREAT discussion you have here! I, like you-am trying to find my way, and this post of your really helps. I need to read it over and more slowly. I NEED SPECIFIC art business goals and have felt too insecure or afraid to think about them. Until now. I spin art yarns, now THERES a toughie to promote! I view my yarns as kinetic soft sculptures-you CAN knit/felt/crochet/loom them or you can just place them as is on a shelf and admire...Art doesn't HAVE to be functional-and that is the mindset I am having to change. People hear 'yarn' and think of it only as a material, not the end art piece. ps. your fabric art pieces are AMAZING-I am in love with them! I found you thru the artist marketing post too, what a GREAT discussion you have here! I, like you-am trying to find my way, and this post of your really helps. I need to read it over and more slowly. I NEED SPECIFIC art business goals and have felt too insecure or afraid to think about them. Until now.

I spin art yarns, now THERES a toughie to promote! I view my yarns as kinetic soft sculptures-you CAN knit/felt/crochet/loom them or you can just place them as is on a shelf and admire…Art doesn’t HAVE to be functional-and that is the mindset I am having to change. People hear ‘yarn’ and think of it only as a material, not the end art piece.

ps. your fabric art pieces are AMAZING-I am in love with them!

]]> By: Joanie San Chirico http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html#comment-10076 Joanie San Chirico Sun, 18 Mar 2007 21:35:25 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html#comment-10076 I'm at that very point in my career. Funny, I updated my resume today and it makes it look like I'm not showing my work. In the previous years, I had 20, even 30 shows per year, and now for 2007 I have 2. Resume building was extremely important at one time for me. Now I'm concentrating on quality, not quantity. I use mixed media and textiles and have dropped the "all fiber, all the time" exhibits and am focusing on fine art venues. It's an odd definition of success, because I'm selling less now with gallery representation and commissions than I was doing all those small shows.. but the work that I am selling is larger and pricier. A trade off? Thanks for shaking things up Lisa! I’m at that very point in my career. Funny, I updated my resume today and it makes it look like I’m not showing my work. In the previous years, I had 20, even 30 shows per year, and now for 2007 I have 2.

Resume building was extremely important at one time for me. Now I’m concentrating on quality, not quantity. I use mixed media and textiles and have dropped the “all fiber, all the time” exhibits and am focusing on fine art venues.

It’s an odd definition of success, because I’m selling less now with gallery representation and commissions than I was doing all those small shows.. but the work that I am selling is larger and pricier. A trade off?

Thanks for shaking things up Lisa!

]]> By: Barney Davey http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html#comment-10074 Barney Davey Sun, 18 Mar 2007 07:52:36 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html#comment-10074 Hi Lisa, First time here and I'm very impressed with your output. You obviously know how to stay busy. The Web site alone could be enough to occupy your spare time. That you also work as a fiber artist is quite a juggling act! I stumbled on Martha Marshall's An Artist's Journal Blogspot blog where she linked to you here. She said, "Her article titled How to Become a Successful Artist - The Usecase was just the best thing I've read in a long time on the steps necessary toward becoming a successful artist, including first deciding your own definition of success." In my book, How to Profit from the Art Print Market, I address success this way: "A word about success; invariably outsiders measure it in terms of fame and fortune which can be a good measure for many artists as well. Nevertheless, success, as it pertains to artists or anyone for that matter, is truly and wholly a personal definition. Success is getting what you want from your art, nothing more. The notions and opinions of others with regard to how successful you are, or will be, are not important. Of course, the opinion of collectors, dealers and gallery owners, and of some critics, can be important to your fame and fortune. But none of them can tell you how you should decide what success means to you." The first chapter is a free download at: http://www.barneydavey.com/thxu/Chapter_One.pdf. I'l be linking to your site from my blog as well. All the best to you. Keep up the great work! Hi Lisa,

First time here and I’m very impressed with your output. You obviously know how to stay busy. The Web site alone could be enough to occupy your spare time. That you also work as a fiber artist is quite a juggling act!

I stumbled on Martha Marshall’s An Artist’s Journal Blogspot blog where she linked to you here. She said, “Her article titled How to Become a Successful Artist - The Usecase was just the best thing I’ve read in a long time on the steps necessary toward becoming a successful artist, including first deciding your own definition of success.”

In my book, How to Profit from the Art Print Market, I address success this way:

“A word about success; invariably outsiders measure it in terms of fame and fortune which can be a good measure for many artists as well. Nevertheless, success, as it pertains to artists or anyone for that matter, is truly and wholly a personal definition.

Success is getting what you want from your art, nothing more. The notions and opinions of others with regard to how successful you are, or will be, are not important. Of course, the opinion of collectors, dealers and gallery owners, and of some critics, can be important to your fame and fortune. But none of them can tell you how you should decide what success means to you.”

The first chapter is a free download at: http://www.barneydavey.com/thxu/Chapter_One.pdf. I’l be linking to your site from my blog as well. All the best to you. Keep up the great work!

]]> By: Alyson B. Stanfield http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html#comment-10072 Alyson B. Stanfield Sat, 17 Mar 2007 20:42:50 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html#comment-10072 Undoubtedly, an artist must first define success before he or she can achieve it. Moreoever, it's critical to realize that everyone's definition of success is unique. There is no such thing as a single path to success--especially these days. I use the word "success" far to frequently and loosely. It's important to remember the above and to remind other artists of it. I've been looking for a topic for my next podcast. Thanks for giving it to me! Undoubtedly, an artist must first define success before he or she can achieve it. Moreoever, it’s critical to realize that everyone’s definition of success is unique. There is no such thing as a single path to success–especially these days.

I use the word “success” far to frequently and loosely. It’s important to remember the above and to remind other artists of it.

I’ve been looking for a topic for my next podcast. Thanks for giving it to me!

]]> By: The Lone Beader http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html#comment-10068 The Lone Beader Sat, 17 Mar 2007 13:15:01 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html#comment-10068 Excellent post. Although I haven't sold a lot of my work yet, all of the preconditions apply to me... I think I'll print this out and think about it, as well... And, Happy St. Patrick's Day from Boston=:) Excellent post. Although I haven’t sold a lot of my work yet, all of the preconditions apply to me… I think I’ll print this out and think about it, as well… And, Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Boston=:)

]]> By: Daniel Sroka http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html#comment-10064 Daniel Sroka Fri, 16 Mar 2007 18:22:58 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html#comment-10064 I think that a major hurdle to achieving success is figuring out which flow (to use your word) is the one you want to follow, and then sticking with it. I chose that my goal is to be a self-sufficient artist, to be able to make a decent living from my art. Yet not a week goes by where I don't question this goal. Shouldn't I be trying to get into a gallery? Shouldn't I be spending less time on making money and more on art? Every alternative path is a constant source of temptation, whispering into your ear. Every time I read about a "successful artist" who made it via a different path, I wonder if I should change my goals. Just sticking to my guns, and following through on my own path is a constant challenge. This reminds me of a post I wrote this January on rethinking my career path: http://blog.danielsroka.com/artist/rethinking-your-career-goals.htm I think that a major hurdle to achieving success is figuring out which flow (to use your word) is the one you want to follow, and then sticking with it. I chose that my goal is to be a self-sufficient artist, to be able to make a decent living from my art. Yet not a week goes by where I don’t question this goal. Shouldn’t I be trying to get into a gallery? Shouldn’t I be spending less time on making money and more on art? Every alternative path is a constant source of temptation, whispering into your ear. Every time I read about a “successful artist” who made it via a different path, I wonder if I should change my goals. Just sticking to my guns, and following through on my own path is a constant challenge.

This reminds me of a post I wrote this January on rethinking my career path: http://blog.danielsroka.com/artist/rethinking-your-career-goals.htm

]]> By: cynthia http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html#comment-10063 cynthia Fri, 16 Mar 2007 17:35:27 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html#comment-10063 I LOVED this post. I was also thinking about printing this out. In a sense, I thought to myself, Lisa, you are really thinking out-loud here. I get it. Your post speaks so much to what I am contemplating about with my own art career. I don't have extensive show or gallery experience. But just reading this is so motivating to me-maybe because it validates the directions and thoughts that I have had in the past few months. My own case study flow would actually be a combo of 1 and 2. You're right though, artists shouldn't jump on every opportunity to show their work irregardless of venue quality. And, that decision really comes down to knowing your own "flow" and how you want it to play out. Very empowering post, Lisa! I LOVED this post. I was also thinking about printing this out. In a sense, I thought to myself, Lisa, you are really thinking out-loud here. I get it.

Your post speaks so much to what I am contemplating about with my own art career. I don’t have extensive show or gallery experience. But just reading this is so motivating to me-maybe because it validates the directions and thoughts that I have had in the past few months.

My own case study flow would actually be a combo of 1 and 2.

You’re right though, artists shouldn’t jump on every opportunity to show their work irregardless of venue quality. And, that decision really comes down to knowing your own “flow” and how you want it to play out. Very empowering post, Lisa!

]]> By: Tracy http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html#comment-10060 Tracy Fri, 16 Mar 2007 16:26:27 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/03/how-to-become-a-successful-artist-the-usecase.html#comment-10060 Wow! What a great ramble. Ditto the printing. I'm new to your blog; an artist, but not a quilter. I think I'm on that plateau in my art career, and a good set of goals will take me to my next step. Thanks for engineering the way to a plan! Gives me points to ponder for the day! Wow! What a great ramble. Ditto the printing.
I’m new to your blog; an artist, but not a quilter. I think I’m on that plateau in my art career, and a good set of goals will take me to my next step. Thanks for engineering the way to a plan! Gives me points to ponder for the day!

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