The direction of the art market is out of your control. What you can control is the power to create your own niche and your own bliss.

Pursue Your Passion

(Written with excerpts from the book Success Now! For Artists)

Many artists ask me: Which style of mine do you like the best? Which style should I pursue? Where is the market going? They may jump anxiously from one direction to another depending upon which outside influences are the strongest at the time. They scurry around without a sense of direction as if they were chasing the elusive rainbow.

My advice is always the same. It is probably not what they expect, because I respond with these questions: “What are you most passionate about?”... “What compels you at the deepest core of your being?"... "What would cause you pain if you denied yourself the ability to express such feelings, ideas, or life/career path?"

Why is pursuing your passion so important? Because if you have passion for your career path and your creative process you will be doing what Joseph Campbell understood so well when he stressed you should “Follow your bliss.” You will feel an inner peace, a sense of purpose, a feeling of confidence, and enjoy unlimited expression. There will be nothing in your way to prevent you from further growth in pursuing your passion and becoming the best artist and person – whole and purposeful – that you can be. You will no longer be in self-denial and no longer tolerate self abuse.

As you know my mission statement is: "Helping Artists pursue their passion and turn their passion into prosperity." I encourage artists to focus on creating their best work. Then, finding their market and discovering their natural corner of the art world will be the easier challenge. If you try to out guess the market and jump onto it or chase after it by the time you figure it out the “new” market or flavor of the month will have taken its place. Because the direction of the art market is beyond your control.

What you can control is the power to create your own niche. Forge your own trail. Trust the power of your passion and subconscious. As you venture deeply into the world of introspection there are many discoveries about yourself waiting to be revealed. Your art is a reflection of how you respond to life – your emotions, your experiences, your values, beliefs and choices – the sum of what makes you unique.

So pursue your passion and let it shine. Let it rejoice. Let it reverberate throughout the world. Let it shock. Let it rock. Let it console. Let it cajole. Let it break all the rules. Let it claim new frontiers. Let it flood the universe. Let it make a ruckus. Let it fill the air with song. Let it be.

Renée Phillips is an artist career consultant. Learn more.

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