At a party I recently attended—after a New York gallery opening—I met a successful young painter, represented by a prominent Chelsea gallery, who shared an interesting insight into the characteristics that make artists successful.
Every artist has different ambitions, he told me. He then split artists’ motivations into four broad categories: financial success, the desire to socialize, the compulsion to create, and the freedom that the artist’s lifestyle affords. The most successfulartists, he argued, are motivated by all four aspirations.
Financialsuccess
It’s rare and surprising to hear artists openly admit that money is a motivating factor behind becoming an artist; primarily because for the vast majority of artists, it isn’t a lucrative career.
According to artist David Salle money was never a motivation for him. “It was an article of faith in the years when I was starting out that no one would have any money, that survival would be hardscrabble at best,” he recalled in an interview.
Wealth and broader success often go hand in hand, however, and since wealth is an indicator of success, to be successful is often to be wealthy.
Artist David Salle. Photo: Robert Wright, courtesy of Douglas Elliman.
The socialinteractions
It’s no secret that the art world has always had a very strong social undercurrent. For centuries artists, dealers, collectors, and hangers-on have reveled in being part of the cultural dialogue or participating in the perceived glamour of the art world.
For artists successful or not, one of the perks is socializing with peers, as well as attending swanky post-exhibition dinners and after parties. But it’s not all fun and games. Aside from the hustling and networking required to build a legitimate career, Salle remembered that it was essential to have a close-knit social group to lean on when times get tough, which they inevitably will. “There was, and I’m sure there still is, a community and network of peers and colleagues that sort of supported one another, and that’s what got people through,” the painter said.
The compulsion to create
Most artists are driven by an innate, compulsive desire to create. They get a huge amount of satisfaction from making things. For example Pablo Picasso was famous for his prodigious output, by some estimates the Spanish master created up to 250,000 works in his lifetime. While such productivity is far from ordinary, it illustrates the type of work ethic and dedication that is required to become successful in the ultra-competitive contemporary art world.
Peter Saul. Photo: NICHOLAS RICHER/PatrickMcMullan.com.
The freedom of the artist lifestyle
“I’m doing myself a lot of harm,” octogenarian artist Peter Saul said in an interview about his choice of career. “But the reason I don’t mind is because I’m escaping man’s usual fate, which is to go to an office building or something and, you know, deal with people. I don’t have to deal with anybody. I’ve lived my whole life without having to deal with anybody,” he explained.
The sentiments raised by Saul are a common reason behind choosing a career as an artist. Despite the financial insecurity, uncertainty, and nomadic lifestyle, being an artist is the antithesis of the typical nine to five job. Artists havea great deal of personal freedom to experience the world in which few of us can—allowing artists to channel those experiences into great artworks.
All of the above
Artists whoare motivated by financial gain, social interactions, the compulsion to create, and personal freedom have all the rightingredients for success. But there is no tried and tested formula. Motivationsonly make up a small part of what it truly takes to make it. Other factors such as talent, skill, creativity, timeliness, and a little bit of luck are crucial too.
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FAQs
He then split artists' motivations into four broad categories: financial success, the desire to socialize, the compulsion to create, and the freedom that the artist's lifestyle affords. The most successful artists, he argued, are motivated by all four aspirations.
What are 5 things an artist needs to be successful? ›
How To Become A Successful Artist: 5 Essential Tips (& 5 To Avoid...
- Diversify and Prosper Through Even the Hard Times.
- Art Marketing Expands Your Audience.
- Freelancing and Consulting.
- Emulate A Successful Artist You Admire.
Remind yourself of why you chose to pursue art in the first place. Reflect on the personal meaning and fulfilment it brings you. Reconnecting with your underlying passion and purpose can reignite motivation during challenging times. Consider the unique connection between your art and your identity.
What motivates artists to create art list four specific reasons? ›
Four Sources of Inspiration for Creating Art
- Ordinary Experience. Most of children's spontaneous drawing fall in this category, often including some aspects of #3 below.
- Natural and Constructed Environment. Observational work fall's in this category.
- Inner Feelings and Imagination. ...
- Quest for Order.
Most people are motivated to do an artwork for personal reasons–e.g. source of income, self-expression, escape boredom, etc. Others would do it because of long-held traditions and beliefs–fiestas, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
How do artists become successful? ›
The first and most important step in becoming a professional artist is to develop your skills. Build up your knowledge and brush handling capabilities by taking classes, studying expert work, and practicing.
What can the 7 elements of art help an artist do? ›
The 7 basic elements of visual art are SHAPE, LINE, SPACE, FORM, TEXTURE, VALUE, AND COLOUR. These elements are the building blocks of art that help the artist communicate. These elements help us in understanding the piece of art more clearly.
What inspires artists the most? ›
Sunsets, sunrises, and storms can all generate amazing skylines, which can be a tremendous source of inspiration for every stage of an art project, whether it's a painting, drawing, or photograph. Looking at other works of art is the most effective way to generate ideas for your own creations.
What is motivation in creativity? ›
We conceptualized creativity motivation (CreMo) as the force (high-quality experience, instrumental purpose, and value) which drives individuals into creativity-related behaviors shown so as to do, learn, and accomplish new things.
What is art motivated by? ›
Art, at its simplest, is a form of communication. As most forms of communication have an intent or goal directed toward another individual, this is a motivated purpose. Illustrative arts, such as scientific illustration, are a form of art as communication. Maps are another example.
Finding your creative sanctuary
Success is being able to work as a full-time artist in a well-lit studio in a place that inspires you. It involves doing the work you want to do without thinking of money. Your artwork should be valued, needed by people, and make a real impact. That's it in a nutshell!
What are the 4 purposes of art? ›
4 Functions : Enjoyment , political and social commentary , therapy , artifact . These functions , along with many others provide options for artists .
What factors influence artists? ›
All artist's work is influenced by many different factors; from culture to politics, surroundings, family, upbringing, the list is endless. All of these and more have such an influence in most art works.
What is artistic motivation? ›
Artistic motivation drives/reinforces individuals to engage in aesthetically oriented activities. As curiosity/play, artistic behavior is hypothesized as a functionally autonomous activity motivated intrinsically through an evolved, specific, and stable aesthetic motivational system.
What is motive in creative arts? ›
Motif in Art
Originating from 'motive', motifs in art are repeating fragments, themes, or patterns found in a work of art. 'Motif' originates from 'motive', signifying a reason or driving force behind a person's actions.
What motivates you as an artist to create? ›
Artists are motivated by a variety of factors, including the need for self-expression, the desire to communicate ideas and emotions, the joy of the creative process, and the satisfaction of sharing their unique perspective with others.
What does a good artist require? ›
Mastery of Skill and Technique. Mastery of skill and technique is key for every artist, regardless of specialisation. An artist is required to effortlessly express their artistic work without beating around the bush.
What makes a work of art successful? ›
Art is good when it masters the artistic elements and principles. A Formalist artist focuses on an artwork's form—the way it's made and what it looks like. In a successful piece of art, the visual features are most important: line quality, color, composition, and other artistic elements and principles.
What are the five characteristics of an artist? ›
5 Common Traits of Successful Artists:
- Art is the core of their lives. ...
- Successful artists understand how business works in the art world. ...
- Successful artists have a strong work ethic. ...
- Successful artists are resilient. ...
- Successful artists spend time only with people who are 100% supportive of their art career.
11 Tips for Running Successful Art Shows
- Come prepared with the right equipment. ...
- Use the Fishbowl Technique to Collect Leads. ...
- Email your new leads after the show. ...
- Accept credit cards. ...
- Offer drop shipping. ...
- Bring a tablet to show off the user experience you offer on your Online Art Gallery. ...
- Be approachable!
