Eight Ways to Rock in the Art World

1. Don't Complain

Whatever you do, do not complain about not making any art sales or "enough" art sales. It comes across as desperate and immature. No one wants to buy art from someone that reeks of desperation. People WILL buy art from artists that love what they do and not just for the sake of making money. If lack of money is truly an issue, at least don't announce it on public forum. No one cares if you're broke. They DO care if you can talk about your artistic style, genre, niche, vision and particular medium with knowledge and enthusiasm. Sophistication sells much better than desperation.

2. Don't Compare

Don't compare yourself or your art with other artists. If you paint, don't compare yourself to other painters. Or sculptors. Or jewelry makers. Or architects. No other artist in the world will ever be as unique as you. No other artist in the world will have the same vision, talent, style, creativity or methods. That is a wonderful thing. You can (and will) stand out. Your art is an extension of you... it's your own "fingerprint" so to speak on this planet of artists. Nothing and no one can ever take that away from you!

3. Be Grateful

Hey! Guess what? You woke up today and you're able to continue creating your art. That's more than a lot of people can say at the moment because they either didn't wake up today or they aren't as creative as you. Oh no... now I'm making comparisons. *slaps hand*

4. Be Fun

Have a sense of humor, damn it. People LOVE to hang around other people that make them laugh. Or can at least make them forget about their problems for a while.

5. Be Complimentary

Spread the love by letting other artists know that you appreciate their work, but always be sincere. If you happen to fancy that new photograph of the cute little lizard lying on the rock in the desert, by all means, write on the photographer's page and tell them that their pic of the new Geico mascot rocks. What goes around comes around and before you know it, others will be complimenting your work and paying YOU to hang it on their walls or display it in their hotel lobby.

6. Be Patient

Think the market is flooded? Sure it is. Everyone and their grandmother believes that they're a photographer because they have a phone with a 350,000 megapixel camera built in. Do I let that bother me? Nope. Not a bit. Okay, I have to admit...some of those phones are pretty cool but I prefer super duper privacy and without a miniature 007 piece in my pocket, I'm pretty clandestine. Nevertheless, I must be patient and keep on shooting whatever it is that I absolutely love and know that someone else will love too... someday. I won't give up. Stick with your art. Get your name out there and above all, persevere and be patient.

7. Be Honest

People LOVE to "fit in" and be "in the know" you know, about whatever it is YOU are in the know. So, when someone comes up to you at an art show or writes to you on your website or finds you on F-book and wants to know ALL ABOUT how you crafted this or that or shot, painted, filmed, drew, chiseled or whatever it is that you do, just tell them. "Well, you see... I picked up this palette and just went nuts on that canvas right there. Next thing you know, this Bob Ross treeline appeared."

If that's how it really went down, no problem! Or, it can be as simple as letting them know that you envisioned something in your mind from an actual place or that you just allowed the brush to flow from your imagination. Nothing fancy. Sometimes simple is better. It keeps things intriguing... and quite honestly, there is usually just a little bit of actually NOT knowing how your creation came to be but when it was finally done, you just KNEW it.

8. Have a Little Fun

No one is getting out of this alive, so you may as well have fun while you're here. Don't take yourself too seriously. Enjoy what you have now because tomorrow is never guaranteed.

*Dedicated to all the artists in my family & heritage that have lived, loved and died for their art.

Rhonda Starr Nequatewa is the granddaughter of Edmund Nequatewa who was born as a Chief into the Hopi tribe in the village of Shungopavi about 1880. This placed him in a role of responsibility and authority with respect to certain ceremonial functions. Edmund accompanied Mary Russell-Ferrell Colton when she initiated the Hopi shows, traveling with her to Hopi villages, serving as interpreter, and encouraging the Hopi artists to create and submit their works for Museum display. Edmund was recognized by the Museum as a wise counselor, interpreter of his people, ethnologist, philosopher, folklorist, and ever-dependable aide. His own art consisted of making ceremonial drums, carving Kachina dolls, weaving blankets, making pottery, moccasins and many other Hopi crafts.

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