Art Work cards : hints & tips for artists

Congratulations on becoming an artist – it’s an important and rewarding vocation

You know that you like to make art, so now you need to work out exactly what your goals are with your art career. You may wish to earn a living, or to keep it as a weekend hobby. Maybe it’s as personal therapy, or a way of exploring new ideas and discovering exciting opportunities. You may simply want to make something that nobody has ever seen before. It’s all valid, and it’s all achievable.

If you’re planning to earn an income, to work with members of the public, or do anything beyond your home studio, this series of Art Work cards is here to help you. Here you’ll find some essential hints and tips from your peers, and pointers on where to go to find more detailed information.

To begin, for any professional artist in Australia, it’s a good idea to get yourself a membership with NAVA (National Association of Visual Artists). They’re the closest thing that artists have to a Union in Australia, and they provide all sorts of benefits including advice, statistics, prizes and insurance. Take a good look through their website once you’ve registered, as they have comprehensive advice on every aspect of Arts careers.

We started by asking a dozen artists for their key pieces of advice, and the following points were consistent;

• Be true to what you do. Trust your instinct.

• Be persistent despite the hardships. Revel in failure as much as success.

• Be disciplined, and treat your practice like a job.

• Keep good records – you’ll regret not having good quality photos and records of sales.

• Follow up with customers who have bought your work.

• Use the best materials you can afford – bad materials can make you feel like a bad artist.