• Home
  • Paintings for Sale
  • Blog
  • Painting Course
  • Art Coaching
  • Resources
  • Free Download
  • Podcast
  • Video Demonstrations
  • Artist Statement
    • Contact Me
    • My Studio >
      • Art Videos
Malcolm Dewey Fine Art
  • Home
  • Paintings for Sale
  • Blog
  • Painting Course
  • Art Coaching
  • Resources
  • Free Download
  • Podcast
  • Video Demonstrations
  • Artist Statement
    • Contact Me
    • My Studio >
      • Art Videos

Let me show you my best painting secret!

Thank you! You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter.

Let me show you my best painting secret!

This short-course yours for Free!

How to Become the Artist You Are Meant to Be

26/11/2019

Comments

 
How to Become the Artist You Are Meant to Be?
Do you think you are meant to be an artist, but doubt your sanity? Your talent? Is art simply a hobby that must be put aside for everything else? Do you feel empty and jaded after another weekend at the shopping mall? Is creativity selfish?

If you have these questions and doubts then this article is for you. Let’s dig in and see what we can find out.
The Creative Species
There are wonderful creatures in this world that make staggering things. Take the nests of weaver birds. Beautiful. The mother-of-pearl interior decorating in an oyster. Staggering. The list is endless. But it is only humans that create art for the sheer sake of it. It is not intrinsically for survival or procreation of the species. It may help with those at times, but you know what I mean. 

This makes us humans unique. We can come up with ideas, make things that serve no purpose other than to feed our souls. Without these works of art we would be utterly bereft and life would be hellish. Tooth and claw or just unbearably dull. Either way it would be grim.

Fulfill Your True Calling
I do believe that we went horribly off track as humans under the “corporate ladder” idea. Yes, the industrial revolution was awful, often cruel, but necessary to give us electricity, reliable transport and the internet. 

The corporate ladder idea was something like:
  1. Go to school and 
  2. Learn to do a job
  3. In a company
  4. For the rest of your life
  5. Buy things
  6. Retire
  7. Pop off before seventy

Art was for hippy-dippy types. Paintings? Well who needed them when you had a colour television? In general terms then art and creativity was for a tiny few and pointless.

Creativity is Back
Have I generalised a bit too much? Maybe. The point is we are appreciating art and creativity again. More people are turning to what makes them happier and in sync. Even if this means leaving the cubicle and entering the studio. The corporate ladder idea is finally exposed for the lie and soul-trap that it is.

The alternative idea can be hard though. Coming up with concepts and visualising a work of art is difficult. Overcoming procrastination and doing the work is a whole new challenge too. Then making a living from it all is another angst filled adventure reserved for hardy spirits.

What is important though is that artists are finding their voice and credibility. Successful artists are savvy, well educated and good at business. Not in the MBA sense, but in practical skills learned the hard way. Doing what needs to be done and making a respectable income.

Shackles of Gatekeepers
One of the benefits of the awful economic collapse of 2008 was that artists had to make their own way. Galleries (the badly run ones) collapsed quicker than failed soufflés. For too long have artists been shackled to the idea that gallery representation is the holy grail of art careers. There are a few excellent galleries. They do the work and have passion for their businesses. But most were lazy and feckless. Exploiting artists by taking free stock and sitting back. Good riddance. 

Now out of necessity artists had to learn how to sell their work. There was no option. Out of this shift has developed the idea that artists have power over their destinies once again. With an abundance of easy to use tools online, cameras that take fab photos and tons of learning materials artists have no excuses. Learn, sell, create and be awesome!

Imposter Syndrome
Have you heard of this one? You are so intimidated by the fabulous art out there that you think your work is irrelevant. How can you call yourself an artist? Just look at Instagram and see the jaw dropping work of others. So you give it up before you make a fool of yourself.

If you are brave enough to push on you find that you do not know what direction to go. What is the right thing to do next? This is the key moment.

Simplicity in All Things
Instead of claiming to be tired, busy, not having enough time, saying things like “selling is not for me” and “the economy sucks” take another approach. Be a grown up about it and take action. Do one simple thing a day that advances your art and business. One thing. Now you need to figure out what that thing is. 

For a start divide your list of ideas between Needs and Wants. The needs are the important things that mean the difference between success and failure. You need to pay the electricity bill or the power gets cut off. I want to get a second camera, but the one I have works fine. That is the difference stated simply.

Important needs include working at improving your art. Sure we have talent, but are the skills honed to professional level? Remember that none of us are entitled to fame or fortune or anything professionally. We must put in the work and earn our living. What happens then is up to you. Find your happy place and express gratitude instead of resorting to the blame game.

Put it Out There
Now improving your work is one thing. Waiting until it is perfect before showing your work is not wise. It is fear pure and simple. Our work will never be perfect and it does not have to be. There is no such thing. Complete your work and display it physically and digitally. Be proud of it even if you are shaking like a leaf inside. 

Pride is a fear too. Displaying your art in the coffee shop is too lame for you? Ya big sissy! Do it because one thing leads to another. The rolling stone … yadda yadda. 

Now is the Time
A New Year beckons and soon we will be making resolutions. Starting in January, you promise to begin. Start now. Right now (after you have read this article and shared it to your social media).

Begin. 


Still not sure? Take a look at my business resources page. There are tools and things I use that help me. Then there are many painting lessons that may help you with ideas or techniques. Need to know something? Ask me a question. 

Be awesome!


Pin for later ...

How to be the artist you are meant to be?

Instagram

Instagram @malcolmdeweyfineart
Comments
    FREE Book
    Picture

    Color Tips for Artists:
    ​Free
    Picture

    Book Bundle Special
    See More
    Picture

    Picture

    Author

    Malcolm Dewey: Artist. Country: South Africa
    View Portfolio:

    Picture

    Archives

    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012

    Categories

    All
    Art Business
    Artist Notes
    Books Worth Every Dime!
    Its An Artists Life
    Musings
    News
    Painting Demonstration
    Painting Tips
    Podcasts
    Popular Posts Archive
    Reviews


    Picture

    Picture

    Visit Malcolm Dewey Fine Art's profile on Pinterest.

    Picture

    RSS Feed


    Picture

    Picture

    Picture
Malcolm Dewey Fine Art is committed to top quality art, excellent educational material and having a great time! To back that up all works sold come with a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee. Simply return the work, undamaged, within 30 days. All transaction are protected by third party bank-level encryption to keep your information safe. Plus your email address is safe. No spam - ever!

​Copyright 2010-2019: Malcolm Dewey Fine Art
​
Picture
30 Day Money Back
Picture
Secure Transactions
Picture
Picture
No Spam Ever!
Photos used under Creative Commons from maHidoodi, buggolo, Fabio Téllez
  • Home
  • Paintings for Sale
  • Blog
  • Painting Course
  • Art Coaching
  • Resources
  • Free Download
  • Podcast
  • Video Demonstrations
  • Artist Statement
    • Contact Me
    • My Studio >
      • Art Videos