Customer Reviews

How to Start and Succeed as an Artist

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although not being completely satisfied with the "succeed" part of the title, I have no problem giving this book a 5-star (or perhaps a 4.5-star to be strict) rating. It is a tell-all book for artists at any level.

The book covers basically all the phases in the development of an artist's career life; from training to becoming famous and wealthy. The author does a thorough job discussing the pro's and con's of each solution to the needs of the artists to obtain training, as well as to market their work. For instance, comparisons are made between getting a formal training (art degree) at Universities and other options such as participating in workshops, continuing study programs, correspondence classes, and self-teaching using art instruction books and videocassettes. Using the same approach, the author moves on to discussion on the benefits and drawbacks of renting a studio vs. having a studio at home, along with other issues such as studio safety and insurance. Other issues such as exhibiting one's work, framing, shipping artworks, how to get involved in art clubs, how to overcome mental blocks and seek artistic inspiration, success stories, etc. are also discussed in great detail. In addition, a nice appendix including information about art dealers and art supplies stores at the end of the book makes the book complete.

In closing, this is the book that every artist will find something "hits home" when reading it. The only thing that I might complain about the book is that the appendix does not provide internet addresses of the stores/dealers cited, considering a lot of these stores do have internet sites, some of which I am a regular client of.

This is a good starting overview of how to get started as a serious and/or professional artist, as long as you keep two things in mind:

1, it was written in 1997, and certain sections (particularly promotion) are too dated to be helpful in the age of the Internet.

2, it is written from the perspective of the "art world" scene, and if you aren't a painter, or perhaps a sculptor, you are not going to get a lot out of this book.