Can Anyone be a Successful Fine Artist?

Hello my art friends,

Let’s get right to it, shall we?

I was talking to a fellow artist the other day and she was worried that because she’s over the age of 50, she wouldn’t be able to build a successful business. And I hear these kinds of concerns a lot, "I’m too old, I didn’t go to art school, I don’t have a beautiful studio, I hate the way I look on camera. Can I still be a successful fine artist?" This is precisely the thoughts I’m tackling today. Stick with me and you’ll get my honest opinion on these concerns and what to do when you have a “reason” of your own why you can’t make it as a fine artist.

So, you want to know if you can find success as a professional artist in spite of "(insert your concern here)." It doesn’t really matter what that concern is because what success comes down to in this business is this: the quality of your art, your willingness to do what it takes to build your business, and your ability to take consistent action. That’s it.

In today’s world you don’t have to please the gate-keepers who might be concerned with your CV, where you went to art school, or how old you are. In today’s world, you are building an audience who love that you are self taught or love that you just got started painting at the age of 65.

If you are concerned about something that might keep you from being successful as a professional artist (and it's not the quality of your work, your willingness to do what it takes to build your business, or the ability to take consistent action), I need you to recognize that what you have is a mindset issue.

The good news is you can take action to work on your mindset.

First, understand that our brains are in the business of keeping us safe. The first thing they do when we have a big dream and we start to think about making it real, our brains not-so-helpfully point out all the reasons why it won’t work. So now we have this laundry list of reasons we can’t make consistent income from our art:

• "I’m too old."
• "I don’t have a studio."
• "I didn’t go to art school."
• "I’ve never run a business before."

I want you to write these reasons down. Because now you can see them on the paper in front of you. And now, I want you to find three artists who are doing it anyway. So, if you think you’re too old, find three artists who are older than you who are making a living from their art. If you didn’t go to art school, find three other artists who are self-taught who are now making a living from their art.

There is proof all around us that others are doing less with more than what we have. And if they can do it, you can do it. Don’t let these excuses be what keeps you from your dreams.

The one specific concern I want to talk more about in detail today is one I hear a lot from the artists I talk to. They’re intimidated by the studios, homes, and beautiful imagery they see other artists have on social media.

And I totally get that. When we see someone’s art styled in a beautiful room we imagine that this is how their entire home looks and it must be gorgeous all the time. We think we also need to have an immaculately styled home and beautiful studio in order to show our art and have people love it.

Inside my Palette to Profit program, one of my favorite segments is where I show you how I photograph my art in my own home. It’s about a week after Christmas. The tree is dry, there are still boxes in the corners of the room, the furniture is in a weird configuration, the outdoor cushions are piled in a corner from surprise rain, and my husband’s bike is leaning against the cabinets. It is not my home’s best moment. But when the final photo is taken you don’t see any of that. You just see the beautiful art on the wall with some gorgeous natural lighting.

The point being: we all work with what we have. You don’t need any of that other stuff when your artwork is beautiful. Don’t let the state of your home or studio be your excuse.

All right. That’s it for today. I hope this info has left you feeling encouraged. If you are just getting started with your fine art career I tell everyone at this point the one thing you should be working on is building your audience. You can check out my free download on exactly how I suggest you build that audience.

Thanks and have a great day! Until next time.

All my best,

Jennifer