The Successful Artist's Career Guide: Finding Your Way in the Business of Art

For those of us who are basically incapable of promoting our own work, this is a great guide to the geography of marketing art.However, there is a continuous baseline narrative that all artists have received or completed formal art school training. I do not believe that the only wonderful artists out there working are academy trained. This is a bourgeois myth. Because I know almost nothing about modern art I can only refer to Charles Dickens who never went to university and yet is remembered and loved to this day, while countless others whose families could afford to send them to Oxford or Cambridge have been completely forgotten.The author frequently states that to be successful you must listen to your own inner voice, work with what truly makes you happy, "follow your bliss," and that is not only the most important thing, the very best advice, but the most challenging to follow. Being able to set aside the censor and give yourself permission to listen to your own voice is very difficult. But I agree, your work will not resonate until you allow yourself that singular and precious luxury. Formal training will liberate you to achieve greater fluency and a more robust vocabulary, but you can also achieve this freedom by being a lowly apprentice, or even by doggedly applying yourself with all the unique, happily clumsy naiveté that you will surely lose by going to an art school.

This book is perfect for people who are just thinking about a career in the arts, young professionals, and potential career changers. I fall into that last category and I think there are so many people like me out there--creative, but never really thought of art as a career and went into other things. This book is so encouraging! It shows that there are so many creative options out there. She really shows that making a good living doing something creative is possible and within reach. Best of all, she does it all in such a friendly and non-intimidating way. I got a copy for a niece in art school and a copy for myself!

If you are a fine artist trying to deal with galleries, or break into the cliquish, closed-off art world, go elsewhere. This book seems more oriented toward illustrators and graphics designers culling for gigs.A few final chapters do focus on interviews with a couple of fine artists, plus a "print artist" who makes trendy frottages from dead animals, specifically deceased fish. (Apologies, but this concept totally grosses me out.)The book does include advice on how to overcome inertia. And there is a bit of practical wisdom that can be gleaned by fine artists. But whether the writer intends it or not, the tao of the book is the business of commercial illustration and design.The author has a charming, and personable style. And admittedly, her book is a good read.

Very good! I wish I had had this book when I was a young man starting out. Full of good advise.

Christmas present for my granddaughter...She loved it as it was a help to her in deciding which route to take in her Art Career.

very helpful, lots of great insight and encouagement

Very helpful.

I havent finished reading the book, but I really have enjoyed it so far. I really enjoy all the lists and helpful information that is contained in the book.

WORDY

Full of really helpful information.

The Successful Artist's Career Guide was one of those 1am purchases that truly paid off, and I believe in credit where credit is due :-)I trained in Fibre Art and later in textiles, dipping in and out of fashion, costume and special effects but feeling like I was crazy and indulgent chasing a career that doesn't really exist. I later discovered costume painting and breakdown. It's not easy to get into, or to find out about, so you can imagine how delighted I was to find a frank, honest and downright useful book actually written by someone with that exact background(usually design career advice focuses on graphics and fashion).I won't pretend I've become some amazing overnight success story, but with a kick start from this book, I've definitely gained the confidence that it can and will happen. Seriously recommended for artists and creatives at all stages of their career.

A useful book stage for motivation and for early stage artists wanting to become more proffesional , useful tips all round a pity i didnt know about this earlier

The book was wanted as a present for someone about to enter studies in fine art. It was intended that from the info availabl;e that an early 'business plan' could be started and maintained throughout the course and help guide them into making moey from the art.