When I started my art career, I thought talent and creativity were all I needed to succeed. However, eventually I learned there’s so much more to it! Here are five things I wish I knew before jumping in, lessons that could help you as you begin your own creative journey:
1. Success Takes Time Making a career in art doesn’t happen overnight. It often takes 5-7 years to see real success and make a profit. You’ll spend time not only improving your art but also learning how to manage the business side, connect with an audience, and find your community. It’s a long journey, but patience and perseverance will take you far.
Historic artist quote:"Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together." – Vincent van Gogh
Van Gogh struggled for years before he was recognized, reminding us that persistence is important.
2. Mentors and Resources are Key A good mentor can make a big difference in your art career, but finding the right one takes time. Look for online courses, workshops, or business classes that help artists. Also, learn about different ways to earn money through platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and at in-person events. Mentors and knowledge can help you grow faster than trying to figure it all out on your own.
Helpful Resources:
SBA.gov – Small Business Administration offers free advice and resources for artists starting a business.
SCORE.org – SCORE provides free mentors and business training through experts.
3. Stay Organized You can’t rely only on creativity. To succeed, you have to stay organized. Using calendars, planners, or even apps can help you manage your time and projects. Keeping track of deadlines and tasks will help you balance both art and business.
Useful Tools:
Trello – Trello.com helps keep your projects organized.
Notion – Notion.so offers a simple workspace to manage everything in one place.
4. Business Skills Matter Many artists (like I did) overlook how important it is to have business skills. From pricing your art fairly to managing your taxes, learning the business side is just as important as creating the art itself. You also need to understand things like business licenses, resale certificates, and sales tax requirements for your city, county, and state.
Key Resource:
Online Business Math Course: Check out Coursera's Business Math for Artists or similar courses that cover topics like how to balance a business checkbook, track expenses, create a budget, and understand tax requirements.
Make sure you know if you need a business license at the city, county, state, or even federal level, depending on where you live and what you sell. You may also need a resale certificate for retail tax purposes. Learning these basics will save you headaches in the long run.
Quote on business and patience:"Patience, persistence, and hard work pay off." – Napoleon Hill
This quote reminds us that success doesn’t come easy, but steady work will get you there.
5. Your Community Will Help You Grow Connecting with other artists, supporters, and fans is crucial. Being part of an art community will keep you motivated and open doors to new opportunities. Look for both local and online communities to find support and share your work.
Artist Communities:
Arts Quest School: Located in Daytona Beach, this community-focused art school offers a range of workshops and classes for artists of all ages. They’re dedicated to helping artists connect, grow, and showcase their work. Contact them at (386) 233-9345 for more information.
NAIA – National Association of Independent Artists supports professional artists across the U.S.
ResArtis – ResArtis.org is an international network of artist residencies, offering creative opportunities worldwide.
Stay Persistent, Stay Positive Success in art doesn’t happen quickly, but that’s okay. Take your time, keep learning, and remember why you started: your love for art. With the right mindset, a little patience, and a lot of hard work, success will come. Connect with mentors, get organized, and surround yourself with a supportive community. The journey may be long, but every step is worth it.
Keep creating, keep believing in yourself, and enjoy the process. You’ve got this!
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