Habits of Successful Artists: 10 Commandments for Success

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🌟 Overview: Career Advice for Artists

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ℹ️ About CAI:
CAI is the abbreviation of 'Contemporary Art Issue,' a hybrid platform for contemporary art including:

👨 About the host Julien Delagrange:
Julien Delagrange is an art historian, contemporary artist, and the founder and director of CAI. Delagrange studied Science of Arts at Ghent University, Belgium, and worked for the Centre for Fine Arts (BOZAR) in Brussels, the Jan Vercruysse Foundation, the Ghent University Library, and has contributed to the international contemporary art scene as an art critic, lecturer, curator, gallery director, consultant, advisor, and as an artist. As an artist, he is represented by Galerie Sabine Bayasli in Paris, France, and Gallery Space60 in Antwerp, Belgium.

🎯 The mission of the CAI YouTube channel:
→ To empower artists by providing adequate and industry-approved advice for artists for long-term success in the highest realms of the art world, sharing inside information and proven strategies based on real-life experiences in the art world.
→ To contribute to the online canonization of recent art history, having its finger at the pulse of contemporary art.

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Thumbnail: Neo Rauch in his studio. Photo: Uwe Walter (c)

Table of contents:
00:00 — Introduction: The 10 Commandments
00:25 — 1. Everything for Art
01:08 — 2. Learn From Established Artists
01:46 — 3. Work! Work!
02:49 — 4. Think Big!
03:11 — 5. You Have No Chance Alone!
03:38 — 6. Put Your Ego Away!
04:04 — 7. Invest in Your Art Career!
04:41 — 8. Be a Networker!
05:31 — 9. Reflect on Yourself Regularly!
05:51 — 10. Professionalism, Please!
06:38 — More Advice in "Everything For Art"
07:59 — Outro

[chasingwatersart]

I love how the dog is paying so much attention to the tips. I wish him the best in his art journey🌻

[lumen]

I’m a mid career artist and just hired a studio manager to help me get to the next level. Living in a major art city and having some great wins have signaled to me that it is the time to strike while the iron is hot. I appreciate your tips which were great reminders for me. I did many of these things in a smaller city and saw success but then outgrew the art market there. I will definitely check out the book you recommended also

[achichilha]

As a retired professional artist, I've come to a realization that's both unsettling and thought-provoking. It concerns the consequences of obsessively fixating on a singular pursuit, such as art. What happens to the richness of life, the wealth of knowledge, and the diversity of perspectives when one becomes ensnared by this monomaniacal devotion? I once succumbed to this affliction for years.

With gratitude, I now find myself distanced from this singular pursuit. This vantage point reveals the art world's smallness in the grand scheme of life. It's a minuscule bubble with limited relevance to those outside its confines.

[startrekker]

No well being = no art
No art = no well being
You can't have one w/o the other.
Take care of yourself so your art can take care of you ✌️🔥

[acceptingWhatIS]

I have painted daily for 28 years - I decided to earn outside of art so the paintings do not have to earn. I made myself a part time biz that takes up 3 hours 4 days a week and takes me outside and prepares me for painting. I painting from noon to mid night seven days a week. Humble life to paint for life - it is the b e st !

[osinalera]

I’m from Ukraine and full time art makes me happier as my life was before war. For artist reflection of reality sometimes more real.

[flohughes]

‘Invest in your art and not your well-being or comfort’ is such terrible advice. Many artists advice the importance of health and lifestyle in order to maintain energy levels when in your practice.

[Jenn_C_Chernak_art]

Your video is thought provoking. In my practice, I don't subscribe to absolutes -- rather I lean into continuing revelation.

[Freefolkcreate]

Don't give up. Keep working because you'll only get better and learn more. That's true success.

[LukeDorny]

“Who you know is the key.
Accept this fact. Or move on.”
Hmm. I’ll just keep making art.

[DanielLopes-kvsp]

Thank you for the 10 reminders. Art rules are ment to be broken: Knowing when, where and how is rule #11. The importance of these rules demands attention. Yet as artist we must do, what we we must do- even if it means ruin.

[psrosemary]

No matter how hard you focus and work on your art, if you are a loner and/or mentally ill, you can forget success, because schmoozing is not possible for you. If you decide to keep making art anyway, you must practice non-attachment in regards to finished pieces.

[neilerickson]

Very cogent with depth and sincerity perhaps severe. As for “it’s who you know that brings big success “ I will add that it is “who knows you ?”

[stoneagesara]

I feel this is developed from a narrow definition of success.

[kimkimson]

"everything for art" is super hard, you need to find the life style that fits, the right partner in life and all. I think I failed on this point already- my partner is more important than my art, my future children and family is more important than art.
This is how hard it is to be an artist! it's not just about painting, it's an life style.

[AndyTomaselli]

my brother is an artist and I have heard him answer the same questions over the years from well meaning art students after he gives a talk at a museum or university. Someone always asks how do you make it as an artist. His stock reply is to try another profession if your goal is to “make it”.
Make art that you want to make, do the opposite of whatever the current zeitgeist is. Be willing to live like a poor student the rest of your life and learn how to talk a good game by studying art history and meet and show with all the artists in your town or geographical area.
It also helps that he was born an artist

[blbrightlights]

Great advice! And I love your very serious Dog❤

[lucyblack]

Hello and thank you for this more than motivating video. A small downside however on the fact of not being alone, I find that it is difficult to make motivating friendships with art, because there is the competitive aspect or just not the same ambition or vision of the work. I find that presenting yourself alone is often more effective because you are not afraid of taking the other person's place or vice versa. Also, when I visit galleries, I am never greeted by anyone... I ring the bell, the door opens automatically, but no one. It is therefore difficult to discuss. The openings are also for people who know each other...it's very delicate to be outside the circuit and to integrate into such a closed environment. So what remains is Bukowski's rebellious "don't try" attitude that has been repressed all his life, and building an Instagram network.... Thank you in any case and all the best to you.

[raphaelmuchombaart]

I've barely painted in months, I have a total of 5 paintings that I consider masterful, I have sold two. I have realized I have to paint all the time now, wish I could start a side business to support my work. Anyway, back to the studio.

[atelier]

Haven’t listened yet so for what it’s worth: If success if measured by sales and acclaim then it is who you know and what resources you have to work with ahead of making art. There is an occasional black swan but they are very rare.