#08 HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL ARTIST

 There is no golden rule when is comes to creating successfully. You have to find out what works for you. In this episode I will share 10 practical things artist can do to find a steady flow in their creativity and set themselves up for success.

So put down your brushes and pens, grab a cup of coffee and listen in.

Key Insights

This episode is wonderfully practical and doable. Here are a few key insights on how to be a successful artist: 

>>[0:10] Picasso was the first living artist to ever have his work hanging in the famous Louvre Museum in Paris. He produced his first painting at the age of 7, the "Little Yellow Picador” which he refused to sell his entire life.

Picasso produced an astounding 50,000 artworks, including 1,885 paintings, 1,228 sculptures, 2,880 pieces of ceramics, 12,000 drawings, many thousands of prints and numerous tapestries and rugs.

 Picasso showed up and worked on his art. He took himself seriously and mastered his craft.

1. Change the way you THINK!

>>[02:21] Studies tell us that we have over 16000 thoughts per day. How many of these thoughts are edifying, uplifting and encourage our artist heart to soar and make art?

>>[02:36] Our thoughts have weighty consequences ,summed up in this powerful quote:

‘Watch your thoughts because they will become words,

Watch your words because they will become actions,

Watch your actions because they will become habits,

Watch your habits because they will become character,

Watch your character because they will determine your DESTINY!’

>>[03:50] Only YOU have the power to change the way you think about yourself and your art! Developing a healthy mindset about yourself and your art will determine the course and success of your art and your art career.

>>[05:28] If you are in a negative cycle in your thoughts try and underpin the value that it is exposing and what does this say about you. Focus on the value. Not the emotion. The emotion is not you and often the emotion is not the truth. Your values are far more important and deserve to be celebrated.

>>[06:07] You cannot determine the way other people think about your art and you as a person but you can determine how you think about yourself.

2. Rekindling your passion

>>[07:16] Remember why you started in the first place, look though an old diary or notes (if you have them) or find an art piece that really touched you when you made it and rekindle this passion.

>>[07:52] It is a common belief in our western culture that when we work we are rewarded by money! If you work for an employer you get a salary at the end of the month for the work and energy you have delivered.

 >>[08:07] Money has been a motivator and reward for centuries. As artists we need MORE. What do you need as a reward for your work? Infuse your work with new meaning! Find a higher purpose for your art….and do it passionately.

3. Creativity in rest

 >>[08:43] In order to create we need to put ourselves in a receptive state. Be open to receive. If you are stuck find a place where you can open up.

 >>[09:14] If you are a working artist we can feel enormous pressure.

 >>[09:50] This pressure can cause us to strive and to work very hard sometimes burning the candle at both ends and setting ourselves up to get totally burned out.

 >>[10:00] Trust yourself enough that if you take a break Whether this is an hour or if you go on vacation that you are committed enough to do the work.

4. Realistic about your TIME

 >>[10:51] ‘Most people overestimate what they can do in a day and underestimate what they can do in a lifetime.’ - Bill Gates

 >>[11:00] Most of us have unrealistic expectation especially what we can do short term. We jam our schedule full of all kinds of activities and often we forget that making art takes time

 >>[11:21] We live in a society that knows only instant gratification and undervalues time.

 >>[12:26] I recently read a study on how world class violinists use their time and how they practice in order to perform at such a high level.

 >>[13:09] These successful violin players did not only practice with more intent but they adopted a 90 minute playing and 15 – 20 minute rest cycle.

 >>[13:49] Here is an info graphic of the some well-known and successful artists from the past and present. It shows their creative routines. At what time of day they more productive writing or practicing their art or what time of day they rested.

5. Looking back

 >>[15:47] Look at what you have and not at what you don’t yet have.

 >>[15:53] At the end of the day acknowledge what you have accomplished however small, acknowledge it and celebrate it!

6. Find Big Outrageous Goals

 >>[16:17] There is nothing like a wild plan to get your adventurous, creative spirit energised and start to make you feel alive.

 >>[17:13] Make a collage of your BOG and email it to yourself everyday until you start to see your goal materialise. You have to see it and keep it alive.

 >>[17:33]  How do you know what a BOG is? Ask yourself these questions?

- Does it stimulate and excite you?

- Does it motivate you and create momentum?

- Is it measurable and life changing?

- Will it require you to stretch and step out of your comfort zone?

- Is it something people will understand?

- Is it long term?

 >>[18:09] The best fuel for creativity is some discomfort. Discomfort is the currency for our dreams.

7. Set the mood

>>[18:44] Make your creativity as accessible as possible.

>>[19:05] Screen time can help but gathering your own creative treasures is much more effective.

>>[19:24] Visit a museum or gallery with the art that excites you.

>>[19:44] If you are in a pickle and you can’t get to a museum then there are great app’s where you can take a virtual tour of a museum and look at the art. Check out the one from the Rijksmuseum, the National Museum of Amsterdam.

>>[20:05] Make your studio or workplace an inspiring place in which you want to create.

8. Successful Artist Affirmations

>>[20:35] Quotes are great because they capture the essence of a piece of wisdom in a few words.

>>[20:43] Surround yourself with affirmations. Write them on post-it notes and hang them in your studio or work place.

>>[21:20] Find your cheerleaders. Join a group or an art community, you can’t do it alone need inspiration and the affirmation from others.

9. Sell something

>>[22:01] Money talks…it tells you that you are valuable. That what you are doing is worth something.

>>[22:21] Set up a system in which you can sell your art.

10. Persevere

>>[22:46] It will take time. Building you art career will NOT happen over night. We need to persevere. Or like Picasso put it:

Inspiration exits, but you have to find it working….continually.

>> And lots more! Tune in now.

In order to help you get a better grip on what you need to make your art consistently or what you need in order to find your motivation you then download this special worksheet. I know the questions and answers will help you grow as an artist and give you valuable insights how to be a successful artist.