If you're contemplating the path to becoming an artist, it's worth noting that formal art education isn't a mandatory prerequisite. While some artists hold degrees in disciplines like drawing, graphic design, or sculpture, aspiring artists can enhance their craft through internships or apprenticeships under the guidance of seasoned professionals. Building connections with fellow artists is crucial, providing a platform to exchange ideas and share experiences.
Numerous self-taught artists have refined their skills through persistent practice and hands-on involvement. Should you desire structured guidance to elevate your artistic abilities, consider enrolling in a community class. Seek information about local classes or workshops from your nearby library or art supply store. Taking initial steps to define your artistic aspirations is essential.
Discover Yourself
The 1st step in becoming an artist is discovering who you truly are, what you like and what you don’t like. One needs to understand where their passion and interest lies and work towards improving their skills in it. It could be anything be it painting, singing, dancing, photography, calligraphy, graphic designing. If a person is already highly qualified in that particular thing, he just needs to practice as much as he could and be around likeminded people. However, if he isn’t then that person must try to take some training in that particular field since his interest also lies in it and afterwards see where he stands,
KNOWING THE PURPOSE
One needs to be clear about the purpose for which he is putting in the hard yards, whether its to become a professional in the field, entertain others and earn money or is it just for your own happiness that you are doing it. Once you have decided this, you can accordingly start working on your goal. If you are doing it for your own leisure, one can simply do it in his free time, however if someone is doing it as a profession then he/she should try to devote each and every moment of his/her life to it.
Test Your Work
You should test your work on a regular basis in front of your closed ones and those who have higher skills than you to understand where you are lacking, what is the feedback you are getting and things you could improve on. Doing this repeatedly would help you to polish your skills.
DEVELOP A BODY OF WORK
Now you have to develop a portfolio of your collections that you feel is the best. It should highlight your skillset. It’s one of the most powerful marketing tools that you have, you should also keep a copy of it in print format to show it to the clients who might want to see it.
CREATION OF WEBSITES AND SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
You should try to create a website with your art work collection and social media business pages of your art. Apart from that you need to regularly post stuffs on the social media pages and website to ensure that the users remain hitched to it and don’t feel that these things have been created just for the sake of making it. Also post it on your regular accounts so that your friends and near and dear ones can get to know about it and it helps in better word of mouth.
EMBRACE CRITICISM
Some people might not like your work and might even make fun of it and criticise you, however you don’t need to pay much attention to it as it might mentally affect you. One needs to only pay attention to the constructive or repetitive criticism he/she is getting.
GOING PUBLIC
With a well-established initial body of work, high-quality photographs captured, a prepared basic website, and a system to monitor your artistic journey, the next step is to create your resume. This involves participating in local exhibitions, becoming a member of local art groups (and contributing to their group showcases), and potentially collaborating with nearby small venues like coffee shops or libraries that highlight local artwork. The goal is to showcase your creations to the public.
TRY TO BE PROFESSIONAL IN APPROACH
Excelling as a professional extends beyond mere achievement of set objectives. It encompasses one's demeanour, presentation, attire, and the assurance exhibited in one's endeavours. When navigating the realm of art, the importance of dressing impeccably, maintaining a polished appearance, and showcasing your work with finesse cannot be overstated. The adverse impact of neglecting details like a disheveled mat and frame is surprisingly significant, just as the positive influence of a well-dressed and engaging persona is profound.
THE ROAD AHEAD
The next step is to make strategic decisions about your artistic focus. Given the myriad paths available to professional artists, it's crucial to recognize the impossibility of pursuing every avenue comprehensively. A recommended approach involves narrowing your focus to two or three paths. These paths may include participation in exhibitions and engagement with the arts community, seeking gallery representation, exploring outdoor art markets, participating in national and international art fairs, venturing into teaching, entering plein air competitions, and undertaking commission work.
As you immerse yourself in specific events associated with these paths, take the opportunity to engage with fellow artists and gain insights into how each career trajectory influences their lives. For instance, plein air competitions may entail frequent travel, while commission work necessitates the establishment of contracts and effective client communication. Outdoor markets require considerations such as travel logistics and the acquisition of appropriate equipment like tents and hanging materials. By observing, conversing, and asking pertinent questions, you can discern which paths resonate more with your preferences and aspirations.
The diversity in paths toward becoming a professional artist reflects the uniqueness of each individual artist. While recognizing this diversity, the provided information serves as a general guide to help set you on the right course, allowing you to tailor your journey based on your distinct artistic trajectory.
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