How do you know you can become a successful contemporary artist?

How do you know you can become a successful contemporary artist?

Although various artists have varied definitions of success, most would generally agree that selling one's work is a sign of success. A lot of creatives want to become best-selling artists who can support themselves full-time and even become rich via their profession. Others, on the other hand, could want to become well-known in the business or academic worlds and go down in the annals of art.


Whatever success could entail for artists, there are certain tried-and-true methods for achieving those ends. Here are five success-related suggestions and five things to steer clear of. Don't be intimidated; you don't have to do everything on this list. Just choose one and go for it.


Be Diverse and Successful Despite Difficult Times


Making copies of your artwork may be enjoyable, fulfilling, and profitable. By all means, continue to sell your original artwork if you are currently doing so. But picture if you produced a run of prints from those originals. You may do this to boost your earning potential without putting in extra studio time. Because prints often cost considerably less than the original artwork, they are more accessible to those who may not otherwise be able to purchase them.


You may repeat this low-impact, lucrative task with all of your finest works. You may get a better price for the original piece of art after selling reproductions of it since you've raised its worth. Your artwork must first be properly shot. Request digital and printed copies as well as a hard copy print for your portfolio. Make sure your photographer has knowledge of taking pictures of art. While some are good at it, others are not.


Increasing Audience Through Art Marketing


Being noticed in this era of technology entails sharing your artwork on social media and a dedicated website. ShaperoModern noted that a lot of artists write blogs about their work and upload videos to various social media sites showing their creative process and work in progress. By interacting with people, artists create a community of followers that they can communicate with from anywhere in the globe.


Keep your press releases and public relations in mind while showing your work. Stories are welcome for local publications, "what's on" websites, and blogs. Send an essay on your work of art and your narrative well in advance of the opening.


After gaining a following, you may post remarks online and host interviews. Write your own monograph in the meantime, or create artist books, comics, picture books for kids, or memoirs. These, of course, require time, but they are enjoyable and increase your capacity for creativity.


Find local, national, and worldwide art fairs where you may exhibit and sell your original works when you have a body of work to sell. While some fairs let you show one or more pieces, others let you purchase stall space. If you have prints, you may be able to sell them if you have a booth. Make careful to read all the documentation they provide you and abide by their rules.


Consulting and Freelancing


Two excellent ways to get a consistent income. On freelance websites like Upwork, there is a sizable quantity of work for authors, cartoonists, illustrators, and digital artists. You may post your greatest works onto your profile if you have a portfolio of your work. Depending on the quality of your work, you can easily get customers. The goal is to cultivate these connections so you can earn repeat business and consistent employment in your industry.


The proportion that freelance networks take from your income decreases as you complete assignments and get positive feedback. They utilize a legitimate escrow provider and a strong mediation service to make sure your customers pay you the agreed-upon sum. The whole transaction between you and your customer takes place on the platform, which offers security measures that are hard to implement when working alone.


You should be aware of the intense competition on these sites before getting too enthused. However, if you continue to apply for jobs you are enthusiastic about and work on your profile and portfolio, you will probably start to be hired. You may request repeat business from your clients if both sides are pleased with your service. Don't give up too soon; this is something you have to "work your way up" to. To get top employment, you must be committed to the long game.


As an alternative, you could be interested in independent consulting and freelancing where you locate customers by utilizing your own website, blog, social media, and LinkedIn. Although you may think this sounds liberating, there are dangers associated with finding clients, getting paid, misunderstandings, and broken contracts.


Imitate A Prominent Artist You Admire


Look through the websites of several popular artists you want to imitate. For ideas, look over there 'About Me' and bios. Check out their social media profiles and copy their actions. Adopt their "success" method, in other words.


For instance, Banksy has had tremendous popularity because of his distinctive graffiti work and his renowned obscurity. Ironically, social media has allowed him to maintain his safety and anonymity while achieving unprecedented heights of success. Keep your writing and artistic creations original. Plagiarism is the act of taking someone else's work and passing it off as your own. It is prohibited and, if caught, carries severe consequences.


Art patronage


A commercial "relationship" that resembles sponsorship exists today between an artist and a patron who wants to support that artist. Financial assistance, emotional support, and access to the client's network and privileges are all examples of ways to help. In the process, the patron may want to buy some of that artist's creations.


Due to patronage, many artists were able to support themselves financially, with supplies, and with a place to live and work. Some musicians and artists were rewarded with enduring renown depending on who the patron was. Squarcialupi, who is sometimes cited as the most well-known musician of Italy's 15th century, is one such instance. Due to the patronage of a Medici family member, he is still well-known in the music industry even if none of his compositions have survived.


Final words



  1. These are some proven tips that you can follow to become a successful contemporary artist. Make sure that you adhere to all these tips so that you can easily become a prominent contemporary artist.

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