Fueling Your Artistic Journey

I don't often get involved in personal feelings or other people's business practices, but recent business affairs have made me take a step back. What does that mean? I consider myself privileged to have embarked on a career as an artist. It was a courageous move for me to leave the corporate world and pursue an art career without any idea of how to go about it. I knew how to paint and what constituted a good artwork, but that alone wasn't enough. Art is a business, and you need to know how to run it. It's like the old McDonald's stories: many mom-and-pop burger stands have the best burgers that you would rob your neighbor for, and they rarely stay in business, but McDonald's is the global brand with subpar food. Business can be a ruthless monster that you can't avoid.

"Art is a business. It's a very tough business." - Larry Gagosian

As a fine artist, my position is generally good. I have wonderful patrons, art lovers all over the world, and a good amount of professionals who appreciate what I do. However, I also have to deal with a variety of unscrupulous individuals who prey on the art industry. These people seem to target artists because many artists are not business-oriented, introverted, mentally unwell, or social outcasts. This makes them easy targets. As an artist, you have a lot of tasks to handle, such as concept proposals, board meetings, sales, marketing, PR, career management, accounting, bookkeeping, social media, web design, community engagement, content creation, graphic design, shipping, receiving, and product development. There are many more.

Despite all of that and the constant rejections. I am immensely proud to be an artist. I am a thousand times more proud of my work now than when I was sitting in a cubicle reviewing loans that may never close.

As I emerge from this mental fog caused by problems in my industry, my solution is to get back to work. That's what truly brings about change. Ideas are great, and we need them, but it's when you execute those ideas and put in the work that magnificent things happen. So here I am in the studio, it's about 3:00 in the morning, and I've prepared the materials for five canvases. I'll work on making the stretcher bars to bring my vision to life. These pieces will be part of a new series I'm putting together, and I intend to take you all along for the journey. I welcome your comments and thoughts.

"The art business can be cutthroat and competitive, but passion and talent can still shine through." - Unknown Artist

Kobe Bryant didn't become the best until he realized he needed other people to help him reach that level. He committed himself beyond anyone else in his league. He had a simple plan, be the 24 in all things which is one better than 23. I admire Kobe, and I'm following his lead. I hope that you all will support me as he had a supporting team in his journey. There are very few black master artists, and I aspire to become one of the few.

"The moment you give up is the moment you let someone else win." -Kobe Bryant

When Art Gets Personal, What Do You Do

Create Clear Short-Term Goals

Creating clear short-term goals provides focus, direction, and a sense of accomplishment, guiding your progress, motivating consistent action, and breaking down larger aspirations into manageable steps, empowering you to make tangible strides towards your artistic vision while staying organized and motivated along the way.

Switch Mediums Or Include New Mediums In Your Art

Switching or including new mediums in your art broadens your creative palette, fosters experimentation, and encourages artistic innovation, unlocking fresh perspectives, enhancing versatility, and enriching your artistic expression with diverse textures, colors, and techniques, ultimately invigorating your creative process and expanding the boundaries of your artistic practice.

Find Your Artistic Community
Finding your artistic community provides support, camaraderie, and opportunities for collaboration, fostering growth, inspiration, and a sense of belonging, empowering you to thrive creatively and connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for art.

Reflect On Why You Chose To Become An Artist

Reflecting on why you chose to become an artist reconnects you with your passion, purpose, and intrinsic motivations, reaffirming your commitment to creative expression, self-discovery, and making a meaningful impact through art, inspiring you to continue pursuing your artistic journey with authenticity and resilience.

Learn A New Art Skill

Learning a new art skill opens doors to endless possibilities, enriching your creative toolkit, expanding your artistic repertoire, and fueling personal growth, empowering you to express yourself more fully and tackle new creative challenges with confidence and enthusiasm.

Create More Than One Painting

Creating more than one painting allows for exploration of diverse themes, styles, and techniques, fostering experimentation, honing skills, and expanding artistic horizons, ultimately enriching your body of work and nurturing your creative evolution.

Seek Input From Others

Seeking input from others can offer valuable perspectives, constructive criticism, and fresh ideas, helping you refine your work, broaden your artistic vision, and foster collaborative growth within a supportive community of fellow creatives.

Revisit Your Favorite Artists

Revisiting your favorite artists allows you to draw inspiration from their techniques, gain insights into their creative processes, and deepen your appreciation for their work, enriching your own artistic journey with diverse influences and perspectives.

Read Art Quotes Daily

Reading art quotes daily can provide inspiration, deepen your understanding of artistic expression, and ignite your creativity, fostering a continuous appreciation for the beauty and significance of art in everyday life.

Create A Structured Daily Regime

Creating a structured daily regime can enhance productivity, instill discipline, and promote consistency in achieving your goals, offering a framework for success and maximizing your efficiency in various aspects of life.

Acknowledge How Much You Have Accomplished
Acknowledging how much you have accomplished can boost your confidence, motivate further progress, and provide a sense of fulfillment, reminding you of your capabilities and the journey you've undertaken.

Join an Art Challenge

Joining an art challenge can be a great way to spark creativity, connect with others, improve your skills, and grow as an artist—all while having fun and staying motivated!

"You Have The Power To Create Your World" - Vincent Keele

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