Q: Why is it so difficult for up and coming artists to make it?
A. I’d say one of the leading reasons is everyone seems to think everything should just fall into your lap. But it doesn’t work that way. It takes hard work to do anything. And to succeed at anything. It takes persistence. It takes resilience - failing and trying again. And again. And again. Thousands upon thousands of times
We don’t hone those skills here in America. Here we say have it your way. We give participation trophies and we don’t reward hard work.
That’s why it’s so hard. You have to break past that barrier before you can break past any other. You have to be willing to put in the work.
Not just to hone your craft (which must come first). But to learn to market yourself. Build a website. Start a YouTube channel. Get on social media. Make business cards. Get a business license. Get a studio. Pound the pavement and go to galleries and fairs and festivals. Read books on how to do it. Watch videos. Do your taxes. And a million other things. And keep going - and not ever give up.
Again just like anything else in life - if it’s worth doing and it’s your dream, you can do it. But be prepared to put in the work.
