How Do You Define Success as an Artist? 

Is artistic success measured out by awards? Commissions? Instagram followers? We took this question to a few well-known artists and also consulted the larger Artists Network community. The answers had very little to do with the “numbers,” and much more to do with communicating a vision and connecting with others.

“I succeed when I work every day, with purpose, and don’t concern myself with what others may say or think about what I’m making. That is the business of art. Everything that comes after that is the art
of business.” — W. Truman Hosner

“Success for me is being able to connect with others through my work in a unique way. I feel like God gave me this odd talent with a paintbrush, and being able to share my view of the world with others has brought me
a tremendous amount of joy and satisfaction. When I see my work click with someone else, there’s nothing like it!” — Matthew Bird

“Sales, shows or awards are obvious successes, but in order to create a sustainable art practice, we need to find joy and success in our day-to-day achievements. Sometimes, success just means putting paint on a canvas that day.” — Julie Beck

“Success as an artist is a mindset, not something quantifiable. To me, it means pursuing and achieving my artistic goals, learning and growing from the failures that are inevitably part of the journey, and being authentic to myself in the process.” — Anna Rose Bain

“Getting someone to see something in a new way. When a viewer indicates they’ve connected with what I tried to achieve. The real sweet spot is getting an informed compliment from another artist.” — Lori Ridgeway

“When I make progress with my work, no matter how small, I consider it a great personal success.” —Kinga de Jongh

“Think about how many great art students quit making art after high school or college, after their first job or first child. One succeeds simply by continuing to create for the duration of one’s life.” — David Maxwell

“When you look at a work and decide you can redo it better and maybe again.” — Steve Jenkins

“Making art that moves people.” — Anne Maurer

“Simple. Does my work make me and others content or moved?” — Penny Gutman Link

“When people tell me that they would know my work anywhere, and that it moves them emotionally.” — Mary Lynch

“I feel a sense of success when I see the emotion in a client’s face as they look at their painting. Creating that emotion means a task well done.” — Estelle Laubscher

“When what my mind’s eye envisions finally transfers to the physical artwork.” — Donna Wallen

“I personally feel that success is every time I hand over one of my paintings to be treasured by the recipient. I don’t know that I will ever be able define my success in terms of monetary gain or social media following. It’s much more about my story being validated by a patron.” —  Vicki Clarkson

“Practicing daily. That is success.” — Marc Vincent Delaney

“Success in art is not necessarily achieved through sales, but more in the realization that one’s accomplishments were the result of hard work and many hours invested into being the best artist one can be. I continue to learn and experiment with each new work as I move forward and experience joy in doing so. As a great man once wrote, ‘The point of the journey, is not to arrive.’ ” — GD Rankin