Becoming an Artist

Research your chosen art form. To become an abstract painter, immerse yourself in books and online research about the abstract art field. Find out who the respected, well-known artists are, and learn about how they made it to the top. Learn which galleries their work was first shown in, and create a list of galleries to contact once you have developed a portfolio. Researching successful artists in your chosen medium will also help inspire you, and reading about their lives and paths to success can prove a useful guide.

Take art classes on the weekend, or enroll in an accredited fine arts school that offers night or weekend courses. Even naturally gifted artists benefit from classes, since they enable artists not only to hone their skills, but also teach about working in the art world. Art school is also a fantastic way to make connections and network with people who are already working as artists. Many professors themselves are talented, successful artists who can help you achieve your goals with guidance and insight into the field. ArtSchools.com and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design's website (see Resources) cover a wealth of information on accredited art schools across the country, and are a great resource for finding schools and classes to fit your schedule.

Visit art galleries that are featuring work from local artists in your chosen medium. Gallery openings and shows are a great opportunity to meet fellow artists and build a network that is crucial to launching yourself as a successful artist. Exchange cards and phone numbers with people you meet, and continue to contact them regularly to stay in touch.

Spend at least one day each weekend working on your art. Practice will make you a more productive, focused artist. Also focus on your creative intentions. Write down your ultimate goals for your art.

Create an idea for a cohesive collection of your artwork. It should be held together by a particular medium, a theme, a subject or an idea. Establish a goal for how many pieces should be in the collection, and when you want to show the collection.

Using the network created in step 2, contact local gallery owners who feature work like yours. Arrange a meeting to discuss your collection, and its potential for being featured in the gallery. Or join an art association that rotates work throughout its galleries.

Don't rely on gallery sales alone. Partner with other local businesses by asking like-minded cafes, credit unions, boutiques and restaurants to sell your artwork. Contact businesses whose interior design aesthetic would work well with your artwork, and offer them a 40 percent cut from sales of your work.

Once you start making a steady income stream from your artwork, create a financial plan that outlines your cash flow and how many months it will take for your art to support you full time. Have a backup plan, and do not quit your job until your art has proven it can cover your living expenses.