People spend their lives dreaming of becoming and artist and never realize that it’s not magical but something that comes from within the person. It calls for knowing what art is and the tools used to produce it. There are so many fallacies regarding becoming an artist that they need to be cleared up. Here we’ll look at some tips on becoming an artist.
1.) Think it
Art is just our way of expressing ourselves about certain subjects. Either real or imagined. We make reproductions of real events such as landscapes or some figment of our imaginations. Becoming an artist doesn’t mean donning a french beret and eating cheese and drinking wine. Stereotypes an artist do not make. Your life isn’t about playing a role people feel comfortable with. The old saying that you’re either an artist or you’re not rests mostly on what you think. First of all think of the aesthetics, the beauty. What makes you feel good. Do you like horses or clouds, knights in shining armor? Whatever you like is what you should be thinking about and reproducing. Action follows thought and thinking like an artist is the first step.
2.) Ignore everyone
One of the biggest mistakes people wanting to grow their artistic skills is that they let other people’s opinions enter into their evaluation of themselves and their art. If you are weak minded enough to think that doing art that pleases you depends on pleasing others then you are doomed to failure from the start. Your art is you and yours alone. Ideas of people tossing money at you or groveling at your feet in admiration are the traps that too many people fall into. They let other people’s opinions have the high ground and when one of those opinions is critical and sometimes biting, they fall apart at the seams and never pursue an art career. Art is not about how much money you make or how many people you make happy. It’s about how happy you are.
3.) Know your art history
Art history is a wonderful field of study. It’s gotten better over the years as we’ve now had the chance to objectively examine art from all over the world not just Europe. We find that people just love art. Knowing what others have done and the conditions they lived under will give you a better perspective regarding where you stand. You may find that some of your own ancestors were artists. Knowing what they went through should bolster you to do as well or better. Developing your artistic skills will take time. It doesn’t happen overnight. The more information about art that you have under your belt that doesn’t include windbag opinions the better off you’ll do.
4.) Be around positive people and places
Sure we all can’t be around an Elysian existence 24/7 but we can do our best. The environment you live in and make for yourself has a big impact on your outlook in creating art. Some artists love chaos, the sounds and sights of a major city, the hustle and bustle of people. If this is positive to you then that’s your place to be. Others enjoy quiet solitude, a studio with minimal noise, a country setting, the beach or the high mountains. To each his own in this regard but you have to be where you want to be, your personal pleasurable space. Even if you’ve got a house full of kids with dogs and cats running around you need your personal area to create. Look around you and see if there’s anything that is disturbing and address it right away. Let others know there will be heck to pay if your art area is disturbed. The same goes for your acquaintances. Don’t hang around negative people whatsoever. Just get them out of your life immediately. Be courteous at first but your mental and artistic well being is far more important. People who can’t do art will either support you or get critical and try to tear you down. Don’t let it happen. Especially early in your artistic pursuits. If you let your guard down that hostile behavior of others will seep into you and eat at you like termites on a log cabin. Do yourself a favor and do the best you can to be happy while doing your art.
5.) Get professional training
Going to an art school, class, or professional tutoring can be the change you need to get fired up and ready. This is one of the most important things you can do and probably one of the most dangerous. There are art instructors who are beloved and others who should be taken out and slapped silly. You have to watch out for the envious and covetous who only teach to steal and take advantage. You want to interview the students past and present and see what they say. Schools have to meet certain criteria ethics and standards. The bottom line though is that you need the fundamentals of art, the tools you need to use for the medium you choose and the language. Think of your art instructor as your sports coach. They will guide you through each step of the way. Art is different than just mere instruction. You will make occasional quantum leaps in ability that an instructor can best help you regulate it. Just search around, you’ll find one.
Finally
Art is still something science can’t get a handle on. We humans express ourselves through our art and it translates when done right. One work, whether it be a painting, musical piece, sculpture, can say more than a month of lectures. It’s one of those things that sets us apart from the animals and allows us to soar beyond the boundaries of the restrictions of logic and physical limitations. Being an artist again is not just being able to reproduce an image or sound but a state of mind and being you need to set and maintain your artistic life.
Being an artist requires passion. Not only it’s difficult to master arts, it requires a lot of dedication and years of hard work.
I also agree that to pursue your passion, you don’t need to listen to anyone. Just do what you love with your passion and dedication and you’ll eventually get there.