Professional Artist: Paying it Forward

by Graeme Smith

Teaching is a commercial option for an artist

There are many people who specialize in helping people understand art better. You can choose whether to become involved in teaching our not. UK artist John Hill says it’s difficult to paint and teach without compromise. John says successful teaching requires creativity and hard work. Often this can be to the detriment of the teacher’s own art. Student needs can influence technique, style, palette and subject matter of a teacher. Some established artists also teach, based on their personal painting skills.

Whether to specialize or not, is a choice for artists.

» Teachers can do the same. » The beginning artist tends to try all ideas, media, subjects and so forth. » A beginning teacher often does this too to find out what they like best.

Some artists even do this for a very long period.

» They become lifelong students and there’s nothing wrong with that! » But many discover that certain things interest them more than others and they tend to follow this interest.

Teachers can do the same.

» Because of their focus, they get better at their specialty. » They apply knowledge and experience with greater depth and understanding. » Business is not prejudiced toward or against any particular sort of art. » Realist, facile, studious, contemporary, all can be a professional career. » That could be as an artist, teacher or both.

Sound commercial orientation is complementary to artistic endeavor.

» An artist who has a need to create, a need to sell and a need to teach can do all of them, without compromising any of them. » Yes it’s possible but due to time constraints it may not be easy.

What is your “X” factor?

» A consultant was brought into a billiondollar atomic power plant to identify a technical problem that reduced the efficiency of the entire operation. » Two days careful study of many dials and gauges in the control room, and the consultant climbed a ladder and marked a large black ‘X’ on a gauge. » When this equipment was replaced, the plant returned to full capacity.

» A few days later, the plant supervisor got an invoice for $100,000.

The consultant was questioned about the size of the account.

» It seemed excessive based on the work performed. » The consultant’s response was to itemize his invoice like this: Placing ‘X’ on gauge: $1; and knowing which gauge: $99,999. Total: $100,000.

This principle applies in everyday life as well.

» The ‘X’ in life represents where to focus your attention, time and energy.

This brings us to an area often neglected by artists and artist teachers.

» A valuable Focal Point ‘X’ in the financial area is your “hourly rate.” » Simply stated, your hourly rate is your annual income divided by 2,000.

It is the key to ensuring the proper allocation of your time and energy.

» A simple way to assess if you should perform any particular task is to ask: Would I pay someone $50 per hour (or your hourly rate is) to do this task? » If the answer is no, then it is not the financially best use of your time. » You should either eliminate the task, or delegate it to a suitable person. » That person earns their appropriate hourly rate.

Do you know anyone interested in earning more from their art career?

» If so, tell them about my book ART MARKETING

for ALL - Five, which covers running courses and workshops as a way to earn money. » Find it here: www.amazon.com/dp/1790999766 Best wishes in your art career in 2019 and the future as well.