‘Professional artist’ is not one of the things you commonly see on lists of professions or careers – except at schools which cater specifically to artistic children, career advisers, books and even computer programs that intend to help young people choose jobs for later in life rarely mention art as a possible path. Most people wouldn’t even find that surprising – art is well known for being a challenging career, even for those with talent and determination, and success is not assured. Yet none of that is going to put off a true artist who needs to create to express themselves, and for whom art is always a natural part of their lives. But what makes a professional artist?
It’s not business cards or high grades from high school or university, and it isn’t even the amount of time devoted to art. Many people don’t start their art careers as full-time artists, but instead hold down two jobs – one for the rent, and one for the love of it. That need not make their status as an artist any less professional than someone who spends ten hours of every day working in their own studio. Of course devoting time to art is important – to development, artistic growth and the production of work – but that time can be in the evening after office hours, or in the morning when the children are at school, or the main focus of the weekends. So what is the magic ingredient?
Actually, of course, there are lots. The first and most important is probably self-determination, the personal decision that you are an artist, and that this is a part of your profession and not simply a hobby or a pleasant way to pass time. This involves a commitment to your work, and a willingness to make it one of your priorities. No one else can help you with this aspect – it comes entirely from within and must be something you truly know about yourself. If you give it thought and decide that you aren’t comfortable making this sort of declaration, then the life of a professional artist is not for you, because that is a necessary part of being one.
Another vital component of the professional artist’s working life is knowing who they are as an artist. That means being aware of your style and what suits you and what speaks to you, and what doesn’t. This is not to say that experimenting with new things from time to time is a bad idea, or unprofessional in some way – as we’ve discussed in the past, such exploration can be valuable to your development as an artist. But even these experiments should fit into your overall style. You need a recognizable voice, one that represents you and makes you stand out from everyone else. Someone who has visited your studio or seen your work in a gallery should be able to see your work hanging somewhere else and think ‘I’ve seen that artist’s work before.’ Professional artists go for depth as well as breadth; explore yourself and know your style.
This leads to a separate but equally important point. You must have a relatively substantial body of work. Galleries who are interested in representing you, or collectors who are considering purchasing some of your work, will not be interested in waiting to see your portfolio until you’ve had time to put it all together and paint some more. Keep good, close-up photographs of work that you sell, to remind yourself of the past and to show to prospective clients for a general idea of your work, but make sure that you have work in hand. Fine artists often don’t work entirely to commission – some will not work in that way at all – but however you work, you need pieces you can display when called upon.
Publicity and media is also a part of the professional artist’s life. It’s often not the artist’s favorite aspect, and its true that it can take time away from creative sessions, but as we’ve said so many times before, no matter how great the work, it won’t sell if no one can see it. You need to get the word out – and you need to take responsibility for that yourself. It’s fine to have an agent, to rely on a gallery which also handles PR, and so on, but ultimately you need to know what is going on in your career, and that includes knowing what publicity endeavors you’re engaged in. This is true even if you don’t really like doing it – no profession is perfect!
Building a relationship with other professionals in the art world is also key. Participate in relevant events and gatherings, and keep in touch with people you meet there who might be useful contacts further down the line. Take part in local events, and get to know local artists or art professionals. Try to end all relationships – with agents, galleries, dealers and so on – amicably. You never know when you’ll need their expertise again. The idea of a lone artist struggling away in a garret attic may be romantic, but it’s not realistic. The art world is just that – a whole world of its own, with its own rules and assumptions and networks. Make sure you’re a part of that.
Of course, within all this, there is enormous room for personal preferences and choices. Different people find different things more challenging or alien and so need to emphasize different aspects of the career choice that is being a professional artist. What’s your top choice for what makes a professional artist? Let us know in the comments!
Well.. I read all the article in one long big breath.. and in my mind I was checking the points while reading, done, done, woah done that too! 🙂
One thing that you probably haven’t mentioned is.. that even if you do all that you wrote.. it’s upon those who look at your works to give you the “artist’s badge”.. wanted to be an artist and willing to be one is great but let the word be your judge!
As for myself I would have never approached art as main work.. way too many compromises.. money first. I keep my main work that grants me the main expenses and use what I earn from my art sales to invest in new exibition or new works.
I’d call this of yours a “relief article” 🙂
thanx!
Lo’
Thanks, Lorenzo! I’m glad you found this interesting. It’s true that we all rely on the reactions and criticisms of art critics and our audience for confidence and improvement, but don’t forget that van Gogh never sold a piece during his lifetime. Sometimes it’s a mistake to rely too much on what other people think.
This article struck me because it can be said with clarity that I felt things more confusing. for some of these issues I consider myself an artist but I think a lot of effort such as having to paint on commission. I do not think being capable.
I agree with your summary, but I recall the late professional artist Robert Johnson, of Springfield, MO and Arizona, who taught me to love watercolor painting. He said when you really start producing your best work is when you no longer paint for sales or for recognition, but to please yourself. He said his work sold better when he acquired that attitude. I believe most artists struggle with the above.
Been a professional Artist means take care of your art work and promotion as if it was an International company. Every day I send email and contact Galleries to be seen and talked about. Every day I also start a new painting and look for new inspiration. Been a professional Artist means putting your career first and not letting someone else taking care of it. I never had any agent and most of my sales are made by me only. Yes Galleries do sell and promote my art work but 80 % of the time I am the one who does the sale. It’s a day to day adventure and you have to be ready to work 7 days a week , 365 days per year !! BUT it not a job it’s a PASSION and that’s why I have been successful ….
About the money concerns… I had 3 jobs to support my creation for 3 years. I couldn’t wait for sales to continue painting. Now I have 1 200 paintings made since 2008 , sold half of them and I quit my day job this March , I still teach aerobic class twice a week but it doesn’t take any of my time been an Artist. Having a great husband with a really good job helps a lot too !!! When you have 3 kids , you have to thing about the family too. My husband beleived that I will make it and he is ready to help me while I am getting into the big game !!!
In theory this definition is wonderful. But professional means that you are selling. Profession means earning money from your art. Art can be your passion and painting can be your whole life and your true avocation and love. But professional means professional (at least according to the IRS). Van Gogh, who sold only one painting in his lifetime, was one of the world’s greatest artists. He lived and breathed art (like many of us do), but he would not have been called a professional artist. Some artists become tainted when they start selling, if they are painting to sell. Painting to paint is the goal. Selling is gravy. Being a professional artist does not necessarily make you a great or even a good artist.
Love this article, it’s very usefull. It’s good to know what galleries and artist think about this topic!!!
I’ like a life as professional “painter”, I’ve studied for it, but a professional life as “artist” is too much complicated to focus, there are a lot af people that want to be that and a lot of people made it be possible. So be an artst is possible if you are strange or rich, more difficoult if you need it and you studied for it. In Italy a lot af artist, very serious artist, very good artist have a second job to pay an apartments and to survive. There are not other way.
While I like the article, I wholeheartedly agree with the comments that selling is not a sign of being a geat artist or not. It is a sign of economic success only and it is not in direct correlation with making great art. But every one likes that kind of recognition.
Thankyou for the article, very insightful,professional…hmmnnn, I believe an artist is born creative, genetics dont you know! at whatever point you personally begin the real, full time journey, its then that it becomes overwhelmingly apparent that its not easy, the making of the work itself is frought with personal creative anguish, and joyus abandon all at the same time, then when you get it out there are a million and one obstacles, and negativity is abound. still you create..to obtain volume, many, many hours of slog, years pass, like treading mud it seems on occassion. do people like what im doing, occassional answers from people give you an idea, some good, some bad,we all need others feedback, negative ones hurt and hinder, still you dust yourself off and carry on, because its you, thats what you do, to make a living from your work is probably as hard as trying to carve through a mountian with a teaspoon, its a good job therefore, artists can take solace in thier work, if someone likes it enough to purchase it, then thats an achievement, and its a nice feeling.
self-determination, self-determination,
priorities
WORK,WORK,WORK,
believe ,believe ,believe
,commitment, commitment ,commitment
willingness,willingness,willingness
stand out from everyone else.