Artists give advice on starting out
As the new academic year begins, we thought it was high time we dished out some advice to those of you who are heading off to university to pursue the Arts, and starting careers. So we asked artist Samantha Gare for her wise words. If you have any advice to share, please leave your comments below.
“Starting out on your own...
I have no formal training in art, nor did I study art at University. Therefore I am not an authority on which route to take when trying to become an artist. I can say that I know a lot of people who have come from a formal art background who are confident of their place in the art sector; as I stumble through it making mistakes and learning. Maybe training gives you time to understand how to express your creativity, maybe it gives you direct experience of surviving the world of art but maybe, most of all, it gives you the contacts and confident to walk bravely into the world knowing you have something to share. But maybe art students are no different to me; struggling in their own ways?
Of course that’s coming from someone who has not experienced those maybes. I ask myself why I did not study art every time I struggle at the next step to becoming an artist, but maybe it was just not the route for me at the time. So I now find myself learning how to be an artist using my own two feet. What I can share is how I taught myself to stand when I have no experience of the art sector other than a desire to create – which I’m sure is every artist’s catalyst.
Find a focus.
I wasted a lot of my time and energy on trying to find a style that I thought would sell. Subsequently I never connected with the art I produced. My biggest learning curve was to realise it’s ok to be selfish – paint/make/create something that you enjoy. It’s amazing to watch when it’s usually the pieces you love that other people love and buy.
Believe.
Basic ideas without the belief in what you do, makes it hard to put the energies into marketing yourself.
Think about pricing.
I generally struggle with pricing my art. There are many ways to price art and in fact I could write a whole blog on it so do your research and find your place in the market. It’s a balance to not over or under price your work so make sure you research the market first. Also be careful to be realistic about how much you need to earn to survive – this is where you need to be, or learn to be business minded – This was learning curve number 2 for me!
Managing your time.
I suppose this point is more about your own situation but if you are starting out in art while also keeping a full time job be mindful that you will have to work in your free time – this can be hard and there are times I still find it hard juggling work, art and all my other life commitments – something always suffers. Be careful not to push yourself too hard as stress is the biggest destroyer of creativity. Obviously there will always be times where it will be hard, but always remember to look after yourself too.
Think about what you spend.
When I first started out I spent a lot of money that I didn’t need too – I think this came about by lack of experience. Be careful when looking at framing, business cards and travel – It can become quite pricey moving big pieces of art around.
Submit! Submit! Submit!
As I had no contacts, formal education or experience I started out by searching for open submissions (twitter and social media was a great source for these). It was out of one of these exhibitions that Curious Duke found me – you never know which one will be your big break.
Marketing.
I spend just as much of my time marketing myself as I do actually painting. Use social media to get your name, stories and art out there. Basically you’re marketing yourself so make yourself marketable and keep active – you’ll be surprised at how much people will begin to engage with you.
It takes time
Be patient, you will put a lot of hours into this, you will spend money and maybe like myself you’ll have to juggle life, art and work. It’s hard but worth it – you can’t beat the feeling when someone is willing to spend their hard earned money on something you created. It’s kind of surreal! “
Thank you Sam!
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Written by Curious Duke Gallery blogger Sinéad Loftus.
Lover of all art and fluffy cats.