The myth of the “Starving Artist”

Artist: Mable Tan        Artwork: Honey Bees      License This artwork

There’s a belief among many artists that to be good you have to be the “Starving Artist”, or you have to have colourful hair and outrageous hairstyle, or you have to dress over the top, or you have to be rebelling against something. These are stereotypes and not correct. 

I believe that you can be creative as an artist or as a designer, still earn a comfortable living that pays the rent, bills and  ultimately puts food on the table. In fact, we’ve worked with artists who have created a Business LifeStyle providing a viable income stream and sustainable Art & Design practice. Most importantly of all, a lifestyle that allows more quality time with family and friends.

There are many avenues to earn a living as an artist. Some artists choose to license their artworks, I have to be frank and honest here; licensing your art might work for you. Then again, it might not.

There are many ways to do anything.

Let’s step outside of the art & design world for a moment and consider this simple example:

Say you really love to write. What could you do to earn a living?

Here’s a few things that come to mind:

• Become a journalist
• A blogger
• A copywriter
• Become a ghost writer 

These are very different jobs. But they all involve turning that passion for writing into an income.

If art is what you love there are many ways to turn it into income as well.

Art Licensing is only one way.

My goal is to help you decide if Art Licensing will fit your long term goals and fit into the Business LifeStyle that you’re seeking to create.

If it does, I’m here to coach you as you get started and learn how to be successful, so that you too, can earn a viable and sustainable income from your art and doing what you love and happy.

To be clear, there is no “magic pill”, no magic wand to wave to make all your dreams instantly come true. 

There is however an opportunity to get clear about what’s really important to you in your life and your creative practice, and an opportunity to take focused and considered steps in that direction. This will involve hard work, and most likely some setbacks too. If people tell you  this is easy, they are lying to you.

“Good luck goes to those who work hard and work smart”

~ ArtSHINE Licensing

Are you ready to take real action?