I loved this article. It reminded me of the War of Art book which I felt kept repeating "keep going, keep showing up, keep doing the work". Share it, connect with others and "do the mahi" as we say here in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Reading "The War of Art" by Stephen Pressfield played a pivotol role in my work as an artist, gallerist and curator. It showed how to conquer the Resistance, the artist's premier nemisis. Shagun Singh provides valuable insights proving that (sucessuful) artists must manage their career and become entreprenuers. As I say, "today, an artist must not only create but also market, sell, and ship their work. Building an audience is essential, as it is the key to their success."
I 100% agree with you! I think so many of us makers don't want to be entrepreneurs but we have to accept it. I guess we all just need to find our way to do the marketing etc. that works for us. And I'll just add we are pretty lucky to live in a time when we have so many different platforms that let us market ourselves!
I used to drag my mother’s art to all the art fairs as a kid, help her set up and run the ‘table’ —Not the ones in NYC or Miami— the ones at the town squares. Believe me, she would have done anything to have the opportunity we have. Or the power to market in our hands that also happens to be our phones?! Common! 💪🏼❤️🔥
That is such a good example! We are so lucky to be able to market ourselves all around the world right from our phones. I never would have sold my products outside of New Zealand had it not been for technology.
The road seems to be varied, but it looks like a combination of consistent output, consistent exposure where it's most accessible, consistently making yourself visible on social media, and consistently seeking connections.
Yes, consistent output and exposure! Additionally also, cognitive flexibility. People have grand plans and work hard at them, but they give up when something doesn't line up or goes wrong. The idea isn't to keep going forever but to keep adapting.
“Consistent” is the word of the Day, both in the studio and creating exposure. From today forward, instead of looking back, I would also suggest artists return to finding exposure methods they can own and control. There is nothing wrong with relying on IG or whatever the latest platform is or will be, but have your own place to park your own IP. Stop giving it away to the machine. Use it, don’t lose it with the next whim of a billionaire or political party.
I mean, anyone who is already here, is someone interested in finding new talent, and sees what's going on here could get a head start on the competition.
There is so much indie artistic talent here already and the artists are consistently sharing their deeper back stories.
If I were a talent scout, I'd be jumping on the Substack indie arts community before others discover it.
Absolutely. News is out. As more cancel their meta and X servitude, those that make a living discovering new content will come here.
The question is whether the industries are looking for the next big ‘art’ thing of real value versus just a leg up in a struggling content war—budgets are cut, lay offs, the outward need to appear ‘current’ for no money at all takes its toll. Validating picking from Substack with have to build a track record.
Until then, we all should keep true to our authentic selves. Use the important knowledge shared in this article but throw the net wider to include ways to keep control over as much of our work as possible. If TikTok has taught us anything, it’s to count on nothing. Use it. Don’t be afraid to lose it.
"Artists with recognition, a chimeric personality, and a level of artspeak are leading the way." The solitary genius working late into the night producing their work, generally remain solitary with a dwindling following, while complaining others are selling out their aesthetic. Well done, Shagun Singh.
Great article. I find those three key points to be generally accurate but when you have the facts behind it make this case stronger, it really goes to show the areas to focus on the most from the business side of art. Connections and networking is so important, I do however find it a bit hard to break through sometimes but as you wrote, persistence be a payoff eventually. We just have to keep going. And lastly, marrying that with the sole purpose of being an artist, being seen for who you are is so important. Thank you for sharing your research, I’m keen to read more of what you have to share Shagun.
I loved this article. It reminded me of the War of Art book which I felt kept repeating "keep going, keep showing up, keep doing the work". Share it, connect with others and "do the mahi" as we say here in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Reading "The War of Art" by Stephen Pressfield played a pivotol role in my work as an artist, gallerist and curator. It showed how to conquer the Resistance, the artist's premier nemisis. Shagun Singh provides valuable insights proving that (sucessuful) artists must manage their career and become entreprenuers. As I say, "today, an artist must not only create but also market, sell, and ship their work. Building an audience is essential, as it is the key to their success."
I 100% agree with you! I think so many of us makers don't want to be entrepreneurs but we have to accept it. I guess we all just need to find our way to do the marketing etc. that works for us. And I'll just add we are pretty lucky to live in a time when we have so many different platforms that let us market ourselves!
I used to drag my mother’s art to all the art fairs as a kid, help her set up and run the ‘table’ —Not the ones in NYC or Miami— the ones at the town squares. Believe me, she would have done anything to have the opportunity we have. Or the power to market in our hands that also happens to be our phones?! Common! 💪🏼❤️🔥
That is such a good example! We are so lucky to be able to market ourselves all around the world right from our phones. I never would have sold my products outside of New Zealand had it not been for technology.
Suddenly managing ourselves at our finger tips doesn’t seem like such a bad deal after all.
Keep doing The Work! Yes. Great book.
Great breakdown, Shagun.
The road seems to be varied, but it looks like a combination of consistent output, consistent exposure where it's most accessible, consistently making yourself visible on social media, and consistently seeking connections.
Consistency and endurance:)
Happy Valentine's!
Yes, consistent output and exposure! Additionally also, cognitive flexibility. People have grand plans and work hard at them, but they give up when something doesn't line up or goes wrong. The idea isn't to keep going forever but to keep adapting.
Yes. That's something I am blind to. I tend to hammer through instead of reading the situation and being flexible.
“Consistent” is the word of the Day, both in the studio and creating exposure. From today forward, instead of looking back, I would also suggest artists return to finding exposure methods they can own and control. There is nothing wrong with relying on IG or whatever the latest platform is or will be, but have your own place to park your own IP. Stop giving it away to the machine. Use it, don’t lose it with the next whim of a billionaire or political party.
Enjoyed your breakdown. Do you have any sense of industry scouts starting to come to Substack to find talent?
Interesting comment!
I mean, anyone who is already here, is someone interested in finding new talent, and sees what's going on here could get a head start on the competition.
There is so much indie artistic talent here already and the artists are consistently sharing their deeper back stories.
If I were a talent scout, I'd be jumping on the Substack indie arts community before others discover it.
Absolutely. News is out. As more cancel their meta and X servitude, those that make a living discovering new content will come here.
The question is whether the industries are looking for the next big ‘art’ thing of real value versus just a leg up in a struggling content war—budgets are cut, lay offs, the outward need to appear ‘current’ for no money at all takes its toll. Validating picking from Substack with have to build a track record.
Until then, we all should keep true to our authentic selves. Use the important knowledge shared in this article but throw the net wider to include ways to keep control over as much of our work as possible. If TikTok has taught us anything, it’s to count on nothing. Use it. Don’t be afraid to lose it.
"Artists with recognition, a chimeric personality, and a level of artspeak are leading the way." The solitary genius working late into the night producing their work, generally remain solitary with a dwindling following, while complaining others are selling out their aesthetic. Well done, Shagun Singh.
Thank you for your hard work. Your insights are appreciated!
So interesting! Thanks for sharing!!!
Excellent work, really inspiring to read this, thanks.
Great article. I find those three key points to be generally accurate but when you have the facts behind it make this case stronger, it really goes to show the areas to focus on the most from the business side of art. Connections and networking is so important, I do however find it a bit hard to break through sometimes but as you wrote, persistence be a payoff eventually. We just have to keep going. And lastly, marrying that with the sole purpose of being an artist, being seen for who you are is so important. Thank you for sharing your research, I’m keen to read more of what you have to share Shagun.