Characteristics of an Artist Who is Successful

What makes an artist successful? You are wondering. It might come as a surprise to you that it is not only their artistic skill. There is much more that has influenced their success in the art world. Surveys have revealed that many artistically minded people share the same characteristics that significantly impact their careers. 

Passion

Characteristics of an artist also comprise feeling a deep passion for what they are doing. For many artists, their creative work feels as necessary as eating and breathing, filling them with a deeply felt sense of purpose and wonder. Their passion for creating runs so deep that they sometimes wholly lose a sense of time and are fully immersed in transforming their thoughts into something physical.

One of the most famous examples of this is the artist Van Gogh who had a great passion for her art and managed to create a unique and powerful visual language to communicate her inner struggles. He dedicated his life to art and his paintings are some of the most beloved works of all time. His use of bold colors and unique brushstrokes have become iconic and have inspired generations of artists. A lot of people buy Van Gogh paintings for sale to add some culture to their homes. 

He was known for her self-portraits, which were often filled with intense emotion. He is a testament to the power of passion and dedication and serves as an example of what can be achieved when one follows their dreams.

Stubbornness

The stubbornness to try and try again is very common among artists. They don't give up on their urge to realize an idea, a wish, or a goal. Those who shrink back or pass up just because the plan might not work out or there might be a loss will often fall flat on their face. Sometimes it is simply necessary to be stubborn.

Focus

Another crucial characteristic of an artist is their ability to stay focused. Creatives generally know what they are doing. They know what their limits and their strengths are, and what their interests are. They also usually have a goal that they want to achieve. However, often there is no obvious way to achieve their goals. Artists rarely plan every detail, and changes of direction, new attempts, different approaches, or even creative breaks are not uncommon. But the goal remains, and in the end, they achieve it precisely because they stick to it and stay focused on what they want.

Having goals is essential and one of the most helpful characteristics of a painter who is successful. Even the amateur painter can set a goal. Maybe he wants to create a vast mural, learn a particular painting technique or present his work in his exhibition one day. Then he can try out different ways until he or she finally reaches his goal.

Creativity/Originality

Artists don't invent the wheel anew every day. Still, they can perceive the world differently and transform their observations or the inspiration they take from other artists into something original. And this is the main difference between artists and artisans. Artists innovate, whereas artisans conserve their craft and stick to traditional ways of making. 

One of the best examples of a creative and original artist is Caravaggio. He was one of the most innovative painters of the Baroque period, and his works show a unique combination of naturalism and chiaroscuro. Caravaggio's paintings are known for their technique, which uses light and darkness to create a dramatic contrast. One of his famous paintings "The Taking of Christ" is a stunning work of art. It depicts the moment of Christ's arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. The painting is composed of a variety of figures and has a strong sense of movement, making it an exciting and captivating piece. The play of light and shadow creates a sense of drama, while the realistic depiction of the figures is incredibly lifelike.

Self-motivation

To become and then work as an artist, you need a good chunk of self-motivation to overcome many obstacles. Whether going for a traditional artistic education or being self-taught, staying motivated, and most crucially, motivating yourself continuously is one of the key characteristics of an artist who wants to be successful. Another important aspect is the motivation to keep learning new techniques or staying curious and looking for new inspiration.

Open to the Unknown

Artists and creative people are not afraid to try new things and take different paths. They seem to have kept a childlike view of the world. They are open and curious people and always willing to learn. Hand in hand with this goes questioning the status quo: why is it like this? Why couldn't it be different? If they don't find answers or solutions, they instead look for ways to implement their ideas and achieve their goal. And the result is often creative, original, or novel work.

Transferred to practice, this means: In everyday life, many people function. They take things for granted and perceive their environment somewhat unconsciously. They can learn from creative artists to take a closer look, keep an open mind, and, above all, not give up immediately if something doesn't work out right away. Instead, they can ask themselves why things aren't working out and what other solutions might be possible. This applies to painting and creative work as well as to everyday life.

Conclusion

One often thinks that being or becoming a successful artist is entirely down to artistic skill, but in many cases, there is much more to their success! Successful artists have some crucial characteristics that make a huge difference in their career prospects.