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.
I read 'No one wants to read your Sh*t' by Steven Pressfield, and it was great. I often refer back to it. I'll plan on reading the War of Art as well. It sounds like a perfect read for me at this juncture.
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.
"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.
So much judgment. I'm not one of those artists, but I'm married to one and I've met several. It's true some of them can be melancholic or anxious AF, but I've never heard one of them complaining about others. They're too busy trying to outdo themselves, and though sometimes strange or socially awkward they're kinder than most.
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.
Here we are: culture has become a mainstream commodity at best, a hobby for the status-signaling middle class, or a speculative vehicle for the elite. Consequently, no genuine creativity can emerge in this so-called liberal society, since true innovation requires freedom from market pressures, normative expectations, and ideological constraints.
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.
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'm trying to understand this beautiful place I've discovered with you.
I don't know if these words will be visible to others, at least now, as my account is new. But I'd like to find answers to my questions.
I'm from Tunisia, and I've been writing in Arabic for a long time. It's my language, the language I love and am fluent in—in texts, intellectual and literary works, and whatever I consider beautiful.
I have some ideas that I might develop into worthwhile texts, and I don't know if there's an Arabic-speaking audience here. And will the translation be visible to followers whose native language isn't Arabic?
If not, improving my English would be a good idea.
An interesting article, thanks for sharing. I know it was written with artists in mind, but I think the points you raised here are universal and apply to any industry/profession.
Very inspirational post, and decoupling the quality of work from the fame it achieves is a very wise move, not only for actual truth, but also to soothe the psychology of otherwise-harassed artists.
Fame and fortune are fickle, but you've just taken away a little bit of the randomness for a lot of people.
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.
I read 'No one wants to read your Sh*t' by Steven Pressfield, and it was great. I often refer back to it. I'll plan on reading the War of Art as well. It sounds like a perfect read for me at this juncture.
I’ll have to look that one up thanks, it sounds good!
war of art is defo a book every artist should read!
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.
"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.
So much judgment. I'm not one of those artists, but I'm married to one and I've met several. It's true some of them can be melancholic or anxious AF, but I've never heard one of them complaining about others. They're too busy trying to outdo themselves, and though sometimes strange or socially awkward they're kinder than most.
Thank you for not taking offense at my judging the judging <3
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.
Here we are: culture has become a mainstream commodity at best, a hobby for the status-signaling middle class, or a speculative vehicle for the elite. Consequently, no genuine creativity can emerge in this so-called liberal society, since true innovation requires freedom from market pressures, normative expectations, and ideological constraints.
Yes! How can market pressures not corrupt creativity? Our process is infected by it.
While we got hooked on external validation, so did our process: flow became performance, and making became waiting. I just wote about it:
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.
Good insight 😌 Can i translate part of this article into Spanish with links to you and a description of your newsletter?
Thanks for asking, and yes, feel free to do so!
I built this algorithm brick by brick. This is the type of content i’m excited to see.
So glad this was a helpful read.
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.
Thank you for your hard work. Your insights are appreciated!
So interesting! Thanks for sharing!!!
Excellent work, really inspiring to read this, thanks.
Thank you!
Marhaban,
I'm trying to understand this beautiful place I've discovered with you.
I don't know if these words will be visible to others, at least now, as my account is new. But I'd like to find answers to my questions.
I'm from Tunisia, and I've been writing in Arabic for a long time. It's my language, the language I love and am fluent in—in texts, intellectual and literary works, and whatever I consider beautiful.
I have some ideas that I might develop into worthwhile texts, and I don't know if there's an Arabic-speaking audience here. And will the translation be visible to followers whose native language isn't Arabic?
If not, improving my English would be a good idea.
see you soon..
©
An interesting article, thanks for sharing. I know it was written with artists in mind, but I think the points you raised here are universal and apply to any industry/profession.
Very inspirational post, and decoupling the quality of work from the fame it achieves is a very wise move, not only for actual truth, but also to soothe the psychology of otherwise-harassed artists.
Fame and fortune are fickle, but you've just taken away a little bit of the randomness for a lot of people.
Thank you so much Shagun so great peace Claire
Shagun thanks beauty peace and joy Claire