How an overnight success for your art business is never simply an overnight success

... but it’s hours and hours and years and early mornings of dedication and obsession to your craft, sales and canvases.

The last thing I want to do with this blog post is to scare you, but at the same time I want to be very transparent with you: 

This (this blog post, my website, the community, the canvases, the pictures, the reels, the early mornings, the late evenings, the workshops and much more...) is a lot of work.

But on the other side, there's so much love for art and pride in every little sale, and helping artists around the world. Connecting with people, learning from them. 

In one word: freedom to do what you love.

I don't think I'm special or talented, that's not what got me where I am today. I'm just obsessed with making it, with living the life I dream about.

Are you?

Let me tell you a bit more...

As an artist, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea of overnight success.
We see celebrities and influencers blow up overnight and it seems like they’re living the dream.

But what we don’t see is the hours, years, and early mornings of dedication and obsession that went into their success.

The truth is, overnight success in anything and especially in the art world is rare.

It takes time, hard work, consistency and persistence to build a successful art business.

And even when it seems like success has come overnight, there are usually years of behind-the-scenes work that led to that moment.

An example: Banksy has achieved international fame in recent years. But he’s been creating street art and building a following for decades. It wasn’t until his work gained mainstream attention that he became a household name.

The point is, overnight success is often the result of years of hard work and dedication. It’s not something that happens overnight.

So, how do you achieve success* in the art world?

(* Success means very different things to each one of us. For some artists it's having their work recognised internationally, travelling the world from one show to the next. For me success is being able to support my family from the comfort of my leggings & couch! Success is very much a spectrum!!)

Here are a few tips to help you on your journey:

1. Find your niche and stick to it

As an artist, it’s important to find your niche and stick to it. This will help you build a following and establish yourself as an expert in your field. It’s okay to experiment and try out new styles and techniques, but it’s important to have a clear focus and direction.

Your Instagram and your website should immediately tell me what you do.
Too many styles will create confusion.

2. Practice, practice, practice

The only way to get better at something is to practice. And then practice a little bit more.

It’s important to put in the hours and get comfortable with your craft. This might mean setting aside time every day to paint or draw, or taking classes to learn new techniques. The more you practice, the better you’ll become.

Then, once you have the painting skills, practice your email copywriting, practice how you present yourself, practice your offer.

Practice the small things that make your Art Business... you.

Mistakes will be - obviously - part of the process, but don't get intimidated by them. There's no one fits all sort of a business here. 

You try, if it doesn't work... you learn something and you'll tweak it next time.

3. Small steps but be consistent

Consistency is key to building a successful art business. This means consistently creating new work, consistently promoting your work, and consistently building relationships.

It’s important to have a clear vision for your art business and stick to it.

But not all together all at once, otherwise it's a mess. One step at the time. Slow and steady.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Building a successful art business can be overwhelming, especially if you’re doing it on your own.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help or seek out resources. There are plenty of art business resources available online, and many artists have found success by joining art business groups or hiring a mentor.

I did hire a mentor back in 2018. I still remember how scared and overwhelmed I was when I paid for it online. Best. Decision. Ever.

Look... it takes time, dedication, and hard work to build a successful art business. But if you’re willing to put in the work, you can - and will - achieve your form of success.

I'm sure of it!

Are you?