By Renee Phillips, The Artrepreneur Coach
“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” ~ Harriet Beecher Stowe
The more years I spend advising artists from different backgrounds, career levels and artistic expressions the more I am convinced that one of the special -- perhaps even best kept secret -- ingredients that separates the artist who climbs the ladder of success with ease and another artist who frequently trips and falls may be the quality of camaraderie and collaboration they practice.
Yes, positive thinking, setting goals, distributing press releases, maintaining a website, creating business plans and networking are all helpful. However, even the smartest marketing practices won’t heal all the trials and tribulations that this profession can inflict upon you.
When the going gets rough if you don’t have the support of others who understand the unique challenges of being an artist, your career will be a lonely one to endure. In the worst case that kind of loneliness can lead to depression, lethargy, and curtailed creative energy which too often compels artists to abandon their dreams.
As Steven Rodrig, www.pcbcreations.com, a sculptor who participated in the Artrepreneur Success Program stated, “Participating in a group situation helped me discover that as a new artist, I am not alone in my apprehensions. I learned about venues to show my art that I wouldn't have otherwise been exposed to had it not been for the group participation.”
An Artist Support Group Offers Many Benefits
You can launch or join a group designed according to the simple premise of exchanging support. You don’t have to work in the same mediums or styles or be at exactly the same career levels in order to make such a group successful – in fact, diversity can supply the winning advantage.
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