Letter to a Young Artist

Dear young artist:

I have ten things I’d like to say to you.

First off, I’m so very glad that you found your niche and I highly encourage you to stick with it; being an artist has its clout.

Secondly, make sure you create what makes you feel good about yourself and your work. If you don’t enjoy what you’re making, it can reflect in the work itself and you won’t be successful.

Thirdly, investigate experimenting with your work. Doing what you know is always great, as you can create very quickly… but experimenting with new methods, styles and compositions can make you more modern, exciting and even more relevant.

That brings us to the fourth point- observe what other artists are doing. You should, of course, be doing your own thing, but watching and observing for trends can help you stay current/new/relevant, especially if you intend to be selling your work.

Fifth, be specific when you present your work. You should always aim to be professional and friendly in order to maintain your relationship with the people that buy your work. When you present your pieces, be consistent. If you are inconsistent with your presentation, you can appear unprofessional and may not be taken as seriously.

Sixth, be present as an artist on social media. This is crucial in you finding success, whether it be through selling your work or maintaining a following and being relevant. People will never know who you are if you aren’t putting your work on social media.

Seventh, try to make connections. If you admire an artist, or anyone in an art field, let them know. Send them a message (if possible) and show your appreciation for whatever they do. Approaching people and letting them know you appreciate what they do can be a good base for a conversation. Ask them questions and see if they can give you any advice.

Eighth, take creative risks. If you stay up on trends, you’ll know what everyone else is doing, and what they aren’t. Do something that you think no one has ever seen before. This is a good way to grab attention and may be a key to your success.

Ninth, never ever copy another artist, especially without giving them credit. Grabbing inspiration from another artist is awesome, and highly encouraged, but claiming their style is unacceptable. If you have inspiration, make it your own. If you absolutely love what an artist is up to, HYPE THEM UP! Giving an artist some publicity and credit shows that you have integrity and are a respectable person. And, hey, maybe they will want to return the favor to you.

Tenth, always remember to be yourself. Immerse yourself in your work. You are unique as an artist and as a person and being original with the way you create will make your work that much more beautiful.

All that being said, young artist, I hope you maintain your originality and respect other artists. I also hope you come to be successful and fruitful in your journey.

Thank you for reading,
Ally Gittings