Common Art Misconceptions Debunked

The art world is a beautiful and diverse place with many misconceptions. The goal of this blog post is to dispel the most common myths about the arts. This article will inform you about the top misconceptions in this industry so you won’t be mislead and so you can make informed decisions during your career as well as help you to better understand the realities of being an artist in today's society and provide resources for those who want to make a living with their creativity!

Misconception #1: You have to have formal training or education in art to be successful

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Yes, we believe that learning under mentors and established persons in the industry is an amazing opportunity and one of the many great ways to develop a technique and understand art history but unfortunately, it’s also an opportunity that many cannot access perhaps due to funding constraints or other reasons. It can leave you as an artist feeling as if you’re not as good or won’t be as good because you’re self-taught but being a self-taught artist is extremely admirable and so many self-taught artists are really successful. Artbusiness.com describes it best - “It's not about the number of degrees you have, who you studied under, where you went to art school, or anything else related to how you learned your craft. It's all about the art. True, a formal education sometimes has advantages at the outset and it might give you a bit of a head start in certain circles, but in the long run, the last thing people who buy your art care about is where you went to art school or who your teachers were. To repeat-- it's all about the art.”

Plus, thanks to the digital age that we’re living in, there are so many free or inexpensive learning resources for artists to continue to grow, learn and advance in their career. Check out our blog article Everything You Need To Know To Become A Successful Self-Taught Artist!

Misconception #2: The more expensive the piece, the better it is 

This misconception is linked to the psychology of art consumerism. The reality is that when confronted with two options - one being cheap and the other being expensive - many will opt to buy the more expensive option because subconsciously we’ve been conditioned to believe that luxury and quality must come at a cost. But we’re here to tell you that this ain’t always the case especially in cases when astonishing artists sell themselves short by pricing their work on the lower end of the spectrum. A good rule of thumb for purchasing art is to not solely focus on the price tag but also assess the technique, composition, and more of the piece to see if it is worth it for you and your budget.

Misconception #3: You have to starve to be an artist 

This stereotypical narrative  has been in existence for too long if you ask us especially because it can deter creatives and Art-enthusiasts from pursuing their interests and talents. so, let’s say it together - artists CAN make money just like how you would in any other career path and art is not and should not be limited to being just a hobby or past time. In the words of Bestselling author of “Real Artists Don’t Starve” Jeff Goins “We are accustomed to a certain narrative about artists, one that indicates they are barely getting by… [However,] today, with more opportunity than ever to share our work with the world, we need a different model for creative work. The Myth of the Starving Artist has long since overstayed its welcome, and what we need now is a New Renaissance, a return to a model for art and business that doesn’t require creative workers to suffer and starve.” With the right marketing, and entrepreneurial skills coupled with strong pieces, artists have wonderful opportunities to make money in the industry. Check out our blog articles: 10 Ways To Make Money As an Artist, How To Sell Your Art, Side Gigging As an Artist: How To Balance Creativity and Financial Needs and 5 Social Media Marketing Strategies Every Artist Needs to learn how to market your work and make money as an artist.

Misconception #4: Artists shouldn’t be concerned about marketing 

You may have heard an artist say before “but my work speaks for itself. I don’t need marketing” or that they don’t believe it’s functional and that it comprises and hinders your creative integrity or that they believe that a gallery is completely responsible for driving sales. Let’s debunk this. Marketing is important for your success because without marketing an artist's work will be hidden away in obscurity, but nowadays with so many platforms for promotion it has never been easier or faster! As Artwork Archive rightfully notes, “there is a lot of competition and a lot of noise out there. If you want to see active sales, you need to take an active role in your sales.” You have to have your own best interest and implementing marketing strategies will reflect that. It can be as simple as sharing your digital portfolio on your social media or showcasing your work with your email list, understanding your target audience, optimizing your social media accounts so you’re more likely to be found, being consistent on social media and directing prospective clients and collaborators to your website to drive traffic there. Marketing your art doesn’t have to an expensive hassle especially when you’re now starting out. Make use of the free tools such as your social media accounts and email lists to promote and showcase your art.

Misconception #5: Artists have it easy 

“All you do is create art; a 9-5 is way harder”. Have you ever gotten misinformed remarks like that before? I believe that as an artist, you’re also an entrepreneur, your own boss, administrator, marketing department and so much more! It’s unfair and misguided to believe that artists have it easy. The team at Empty Easel hit the nail on the head when they debunked this misconception- “there are times when making art isn’t easy. If you’re a professional artist—if making art is how you make a living—you have to make art regardless of whether or not you’re in the mood. You have to finish difficult paintings. You have to accept commissions you’d rather not in order to meet expenses. And you have to paint even when the latest painting grows tiresome and due dates loom. That’s when the life of an artist is anything but easy. It is, in fact, just like the life of any working person. You do it because has to be done, plain and simple.” You deserve credit for wearing all of the hats you do to make the show run smoothly.

Conclusion

If you're an artist, or someone who appreciates art in any capacity, we hope that we've covered today helped you be aware of the common misconceptions in our industry and that now you can have a better understanding and clearer view of the reality.