So, you’ve decided that you’d like to have a creative career. Congratulations! You’ve already taken one of the most important first steps to becoming a full-time artist.
Now, you might be wondering where to go from here. Finding your personal career path in the art world can make you feel lost. A lot of creative people struggle with discerning the next steps in their artistic journey, whether they’re just starting out or have had an art-related career for decades.
While there is no specific “path of an artist” that you can just follow step-by-step and succeed, in my extensive professional course Leverage Your Art, I’ve found ways to simplify the process of finding your artistic path.
Let’s talk about how to find your personal vision for your career, set yourself apart from your fellow artists, and pave your own path.
1. Self-Reflection and Inner Work: The best way to start discerning your creative path as a professional artist is to spend a lot of time self-searching who you are and what you want to express through your art. The most renowned artists dedicate themselves to inner work and find ways to become in tune with their own goals and strengths. Once you feel sure about identity and your goals, write down a mantra to remind yourself of your purpose and look at it daily.
2. Experimentation and Creation: Creating a lot of artwork is essential for finding your unique style, preferences, and strengths. Don’t go in with an agenda, just let your creative process take over and look for recurring themes. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles, mediums, and subjects– whatever comes through in all of them is your own artistic expression. Use your creative work to find yourself and build an artistic vision!
3. Evaluate and Refine: Lay out your existing body of work and evaluate it. While there will be pieces and themes that feel connected, there will also be some disconnection. Take note of what unifies your work, and refine your personal style by winnowing away elements that detract from your unique voice.
4. Take Risks and Be Brave: Don’t wait for perfection in your personal work before sharing it. Take risks and get your art out there! Whether you start with posting on social media platforms, selling your art at a local coffee shop or market, or even showing art to family and friends, practicing sharing your art can help you grow as a visual artist and expand your client base.
5. Stay True to Yourself: Focus on creative expression and make artwork that is an extension of your true self. Be fiercely you, and let your creativity truly reflect your identity. If your inner voice is calling you away from certain projects, listen. Your intuition is stronger than you may think!
6. Learn from Others: Surround yourself with other visual artists– learning about their journeys can play a significant role in helping you navigate your own. Understand that there are no bad ideas, and that mistakes are part of the process.
While there is no specific how-to in creating the plan for your life, these tips are some of the best advice you can get. Any emerging artist who carefully considers their goals and follows these steps will make some real headway in finding the right path for them.
