After you’ve recognized your potential as an artist and that has sparked you to take action the next thing that will happen is you’ll start to see results. That is just how the universe works, actions always produce results. And this is when things can start to get exciting for you as an artist. For you see results bring all sorts of great things.
Before we go any further I will let you know there are “good” and “bad” results from your actions. But when you really think about it “bad” results are just lessons in how not to do something which is just as valuable and helps move you toward your goals as an artist. You could almost say there are no bad results. It is hard to know which Thomas Edison quote to use here because he has so many that apply. I like this one:
“Just because something doesn’t do what you planned it to do doesn’t mean it’s useless.” ~Edison
We have to talk about those undesired results because I am very aware that those negative results can become a great excuses to give up on your potential, to stop taking action, and find yourself back at zero. I hear the excuses all the time, “I’ve had a website for years and never sold one piece on it.” That statement is a reason to believe that art, especially your art, can not be sold online. That selling art online or anywhere is something other people do, not you. In that example the artist usually took one action, created a web site, and stopped there. Adopting the classic “build it and they will come attitude.” Since the site was built and the desired outcome was not achieved more actions must be taken.
You have to move your mind back to step one, potential, because your potential has not changed, it is still there. You know your potential is there but the actions you are taking is not bringing out that potential. Adjust and continue to take action and producing results. The most important thing is that you are getting results. Which is a lot more than you get if you’re still waiting to take action. Results become your guide, through them you learn what works, what gets your art sold, what to keep doing more of, and what to stop doing.
Results move your recognized potential toward realized potential.
The movie illustration continues…
Okay I saved this for the end because I know I may be testing my reader’s patience with using an old science fiction movie as an example to how you can make a living as an artist. Hang in there, this series is almost done. In this scene we pick up our hero, Neo, near the end of the film. Early on he realized his potential and began taking actions. At first small steps moving toward that potential Now he is taking bold and drastic actions and in this scene it gets mixed results. But overall it moves him closer to realizing his potential.
Use this link if you’re having trouble viewing the video.
Step 1: Recognize your potential.
Step 2: Take action.
Step 3: Learn from your results.
Related posts:
The options for selling online today are amazing. You can do so much without ever going near Ebay or running you own website. Blog and sell at an online gallery like foliotwist, sell prints on ImageKind, use Etsy. Look around the opportunity can be fine tuned adjusted and changed constantly.
[Reply]