By Jeff Dillon | November 10, 2024 | All Posts
The path to becoming a full-time artist has been both deeply rewarding and challenging. Looking back, I realize there are key insights I wish I had known from the start—lessons that would have helped me navigate this journey with a bit more ease. Here are nine lessons that have shaped my art career, my approach to creativity, and my understanding of what it takes to build a life centred around art.
1. The Power of a Support System
From the beginning, the support of my family and loved ones has been a cornerstone of my career. My father passed away when I was younger, and painting became my way of processing that loss. It was an emotional outlet and a means to find solace, and over time, it grew into my life’s calling. My mother has been my biggest champion, showing up at art shows, sharing in my successes, and encouraging me through every stage of my journey. Her support has been unwavering, and her pride in my work has meant the world. My partner, Kylie, has embraced this journey with me, fully understanding the dedication and long hours that painting requires. She offers unwavering encouragement at every step, supporting me in both the challenges and the rewards of pursuing my art. Without this support system, I don’t know that I could have built the career I have today. They’ve been my strength on the hardest days and my biggest supporters on the best ones.
2. Networking Is Key
As an artist, I once thought my work would speak for itself, that if I simply created enough, opportunities would find me. But I quickly learned that creating art in isolation only limits growth and exposure. Networking has been crucial in helping me connect with other artists, collectors, and those who appreciate art. By attending gallery openings, participating in art fairs, and joining artist groups, I’ve found a community of people who offer insights, feedback, and even opportunities for new exhibitions or commissions. Building these connections didn’t come naturally at first, but over time, I realized how much richer my career became because of it. Networking has taught me that art isn’t just about creation; it’s about community.
Years ago, when I was hesitant to sell my work, worried about parting with them forever, he offered me advice I’ve never forgotten: “Paint so often that you can’t remember what you painted.”
3. Consistency Drives Success
When I first started, I would create art sporadically, often waiting for inspiration to strike. But I soon discovered that a steady, consistent practice is essential for real growth. Today, I treat painting like a job, showing up nearly every day. I know that consistency is what builds skill and momentum over time. This routine, this commitment to daily practice, has allowed me to hone my techniques, develop a cohesive body of work, and push through creative blocks. Even on days when I’m not particularly inspired, the act of showing up keeps me moving forward. It’s not always easy, but consistency has been one of the most important drivers of my success.
4. Business Skills Are Essential
Coming from a background in business and marketing, I had an advantage many artists don’t. I knew from the start that building a career in art requires more than just talent. To make a sustainable living, I needed skills in branding, pricing, managing client relationships, and understanding contracts. I treat my art practice as a business, and that means putting in time on marketing, financial planning, and other administrative tasks. Learning to balance the creative side of art with the business side has been crucial. My business experience taught me to think strategically and helped me make informed decisions that have allowed me to share my work more widely and build a sustainable career.
5. Setting and Achieving Long-Term Goals
Setting long-term goals has been my way of keeping momentum and tracking my growth. I set a goal to complete 100 paintings every five years, which has kept me motivated and allows me to measure my progress in tangible ways. By 2025, I’ll have completed 300 paintings—a milestone that feels both challenging and achievable. This structured approach to goal-setting gives my career direction and purpose, keeping me focused on creating work that is meaningful to me. Each painting is a step closer to that goal, and each milestone reminds me of how far I’ve come. Having these goals has been essential in building the career I envisioned.
6. Focusing on the Process, Not Just the End
One of the most freeing realizations has been that art is a process. When I start a piece, I try to stay present, focusing on each brushstroke and every colour choice, rather than fixating on the final outcome. By concentrating on the journey, I’ve found that the work flows more naturally, and I’m able to connect more deeply with each piece. I’ve learned to embrace the uncertainties of creation and to let each work develop on its own terms. This approach has allowed me to create art that is true to my vision, and it keeps me excited and engaged in my work every day.
7. The Value of Finishing What You Start
Expanding on the importance of finishing what I start, I’ve also come to appreciate the value of using high-quality materials that can meet the demands of my creative process. Early on, I committed to completing every piece I begin, and having reliable, professional-grade supplies has been a key part of that journey. I work with Golden heavy body and fluid acrylics because they offer rich pigmentation and versatility, allowing me to explore a range of techniques and textures. This quality helps bring my vision to life with consistency and depth, even when a piece challenges me.
I also rely on Escoda brushes, which provide the control and precision I need to work through those intricate details. Using these materials has taught me that investing in the best tools enhances not only the artwork itself but also my confidence as an artist. Each completed piece—whether it turns out as expected or not—teaches me something new, and having dependable materials allows me to push through creative hurdles and see every work through to its final form.
8. Balancing Art with Administrative Tasks
As much as I’d love to spend all my time painting, the reality is that a career in art also involves managing emails, marketing, finances, and logistics. To maintain this balance, I dedicate a few days each week to the business side of things. These “administrative” days allow me to handle client inquiries, update my online presence, and plan future projects. This balance ensures that I stay organized and on top of things, and it helps me maintain a professional approach to my work. By dedicating time to these tasks, I’m able to spend the rest of my week fully focused on creating, without distractions.
9. Structure Builds Momentum
Years of structure, consistency, and discipline have been key to my success. My commitment to daily practice, my long-term goals, and my structured schedule all contribute to building a sustainable, full-time career as an artist. Structure creates a momentum that carries me forward, even on difficult days. It allows me to approach my work with focus and dedication, helping me make progress toward my goals one day at a time. Each painting, each step, adds to the momentum that drives my career forward.
The Takeaway
Looking back, I can see that each of these lessons has been integral to building my life in art, and I know that the journey is far from over. The support of loved ones, the connections I’ve built, and the discipline I’ve developed have created a foundation I’m grateful for every day. Painting has not only allowed me to express my vision but has also taught me resilience, patience, and the power of showing up.
The creative path isn’t a straight line, and there’s always more to learn, more to discover, and more ways to grow. I look forward to many more years of painting, facing new challenges, and finding inspiration in unexpected places. The lessons I’ve shared here are just a few of the insights that have guided me, and I know that as I continue, there will be new discoveries to make—some that I can’t yet foresee but am excited to experience.
Art is as much about exploration as it is about creation. With every piece, I learn more about myself, about the world, and about the endless possibilities within the medium. I hope my journey encourages others to keep pushing forward, to build not only their skill but also their resilience and passion. The work isn’t always easy, but it’s rewarding in ways that go beyond measure.
So, as I look to the future, I embrace the inevitable new lessons, the joys and challenges that will come with each new piece. I remain dedicated to my craft, ready to face the next canvas with the same curiosity and determination that has brought me this far. Here’s to the many years ahead, to the inspiration that awaits, and to the art that has yet to be created.
