Challenges of Being an Artist There's an interesting post over at the Art & Perception blog about the challenges of being an artist. Karl asks why is it so difficult to be an artist?

I think in this new world of mass media, hype, and money it's all about marketing. Artists often make it difficult for themselves because they're often humble, not very business savvy, not willing to invest in themselves, or don't know anything about marketing and branding.
You don't need business skills to create a good work of art, but you do need business skills to become a successful artist that lives on more than bread and water. If you have no interest in working on your business skills, you have to pay some one that has them.
An artist with great business skills and mediocre talent will always have more money in the bank than a talented artist with no business skills. Over the long term the talented artist may come out on top, but living on dry noodles and cheap coffee for most of your life (while you're being discovered), isn't very appealing.
Just browse through the contemporary art categories of Chris-toby's to see the value of good marketing. Artists with average talent are always selling works for $100,000++ at auction.
An artist and business skills is a bit like mixing oil and water, but it's a necessary evil if you want to be an artist that actually sells work.
>> Being an Artist, Art Marketing, Art Auctions   ¶ 6:43 PM