How Important Is It For You To Be Successful And Or Become Famous!

i wanna sell art.

that's it.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Fame comes and goes. Rather be constantly successful. And as Mike states being a seller.

Not looking to become famous - and success - that would simply be people buying my art and hanging it around to enjoy. Perhaps I would even just give it away - but most folks would then not take it - because it would be inferring that my art wasn't worth anything - although - I'd at least like to make my annual fee.

i'm just interested in earning enough money to pay bills and have a bit left over.

Dont think about selling
think what you do and do what you think it it formula to be better then you are now so you dont need money for it and dont need to be succesful for it

JUST DO IT :)

Lying in a featherbed
will bring you no fame, nor staying beneath the quilt,
and he who uses up his life without achieving fame
leaves no more vestige of himself on Earth
than smoke in the air or foam upon the water.

~ Durante degli Alighieri (c. 1 June 1265 – 13/14 September 1321), better known as Dante, was an Italian Florentine poet

we dont need quotes of people whos think better then we :) it is useless

You didn't ask. Some of us might prefer infamy!

Good question Michael. My objective here is to sell and promote my art. Yes, I would also love a bit of "fame" as I think most of us would, but also have daily "reality checks" which tell me that fame would be a one in a million chance. So I just continue doing what I love most, creating works of art.

would be happy just to sell stuff.

Hi Michael.

Great question. I think I will have to ponder what would make me feel " successful ".

Satisfaction in my ability to make an image as I see it in my mind - makes me feel successful.
Having the ability to evoke an emotion in my images - makes me feel successful.
Knowing that there are some individuals that want an image in their home - to view every day - makes me feel successful.

I notice that when I focus on " sales & how to achieve them ", I am not satisfied at all. Painting, & providing happiness brings me much satisfaction.

So, more painting & finding ease in the ability to make my images available to those that are interested - needs to be balanced.

Getting published would be an ultimate goal for me. An actual salary would be delightful .


But I have learned one thing well from you; Our paths may meander, and take us down different roads that we didn't even know would lead us to great joy.

I make art not for fame or fortune and never seek them but if they come my way I won’t run.

It's Friday night, long week and some people shouldn't drink and google.

Selling my creations is a way to reassure my artistic ego. It's like an incentive to continue to improve my style, my techniques and to make my way as an artist.

First make sales, Then become famous, Then get power.... Then grow empire..... Then take over the universe! and build a giant machine to reverse the expanding of the universe And after that perhaps even take over the world.

For the last 40 years, I've been able to sell all I produced....That is:.. all those actual 3 dimensional creations (sculptures).

The problem is that I'm producing less.......Age (80 years old) and incentive has gotten to me.

That is why, this cyber universe has been calling me over..

I wouldn't mind getting a firm footing, instead of all this stumbling, in this POD (a gift that keeps on giving) thing.

Fame is better but what would I be famous for? My art is too ordinary. But fame would be really nice. Money isn't my problem...as long as I get up at 4 every morning and head to work which I plan on doing for the rest of my life.

I sell originals, not concerned with that. I am not famous and never expect to be. I would not mind selling better, I do enjoy money and being better known could be nice but creating and getting the art out there seems to be a type of obsession. No real rational reason except, one has to do something and this is the something that I love doing.

Lots of broke famous people in the world...thus I find it far more important to be successful and fly under the radar if possible.

-Peter

Fame doesn't mean a thing to me. In fact, that's why I removed my face and created a logo for my avatar- I want it to be about my art and not me.

I even hate the way people patronize you and get googly eyed over you when you have some kind of notoriety. I'm just a simple guy that just wants to do art and that's it.

--Roz Abellera

Thank you Roz, fame sounds horrible now for me as well. So I don't even know what I want.

I have a better idea. Instead of being famous I would much rather be infamous.

Wow, thank you so much everyone for responding. I would have been on top of your responses but I had a dinner party and house full of guest this evening. I could not wait to check back I appreciate everyone's input. I will respond from the top.

@Mike, since my becoming a member like so many you have helped us and shared your personal views and formulas on technical, and the business angle of marketing our work. Its not the fame but business aspect of becoming successful. I appreciate your input into this discussion. I have a confession to make to everyone and by viewing all the comments thus far, in the beginning I was extremely anxious and would silently wait and try and figure out what exactly was it I might have been doing wrong. With all the value tools to market our work landing that first sale is the stepping stone for others to follow. Does it give me encouragement, yes it does. Does that sale generate self confidence to work harder and strive for other sales the answer to that is yes. Thanks again for everything you have done for myself and all the other members. Its the sale which contributes to our success as you stated.

@Jeffery, you are so correct it does come and go. And like Mike you too have made some very excellent contributions to share with us all. Perhaps, I was at fault by not participating in the earlier stages of my becoming a member here and fully understanding exactly everything I need to understand. Just recently within the past couple of months perhaps due to my retirement. I do spend my time going in an out of all the discussions and absorbing bits and pieces and trying to sort it all. What I have discovered lately is everyone's input has been some of the best discussions I have tried to follow along in the past 3 years. Thanks for everything you have contributed in the discussions.

I thought I would share with everyone what compelled me to open this discussion. For the past three years or so, I frequent the coffee shop just a half block from my house on St. Charles Avenue. I only dab in producing my art watercolors only when I feel deem the urge. I am the type of individual that my own friends can not keep up with me. Well I spend my time all day just about and its my home away from home. And because I was a loyal customer the owner has given me a life time residence and free coffee. Now here is a coffee shop owner he had a plan to open a business he has now achieved his own personal fame from TV and newspaper coverage of his business. Did he approach them? No, they came to him because of his personal success story. Here I frequented his business and he gives me this gift lifetime free coffee and my presence in his coffee shop.

Today as always I sat at my favorite table at the window floor to ceiling and I watch everything pass by. I get so much achieved with my photography there at the coffee shop. I have met fellow photographers which enabled me to take photos for my first ad for a photo shoot and get credits and paid for my services rendered. It was a free lance photographer who happens to write for an on line newspaper. He needed a photo of him and the publisher to run in of all magazines The Film and Video Magazine. of the South a monthly publication of every film production being shot in Louisiana.

This woman customer came into the coffee shop ordered her coffee and asked did I mind she sit across from me I replied no not at all, I frequent the coffee shop since it opened and I had never seen her hence a conversation pursued. She introduced herself to me and the first thing she said to me was the only reason she came in was because I sold her. I asked why was that, she said I saw you sitting there in the window working and you looked so business like busy at my lap top. Our conversation led to why I was there and my retirement and I actually think she may have thought I was someone famous and I replied oh but I am famous....lol. I am now in the movie industry and when I am not in a production I spend a lot of time with my photography at Fine Art America. So that simple encounter in a coffee shop had me thinking a lot of Fine Art America and everything discussed here day in day out how would everyone here respond to my question posed.

Michael,
Fame...I want no part of it. I would love to be anonymous, never recognized in public, but known only by my close friends and family. A pseudonym was my first choice when deciding on a business name but my first choice was nixed. Luckily I can use my name but using my likeness (photo) is not necessary. I was extremely anxious when having to post photographs of myself for real estate and become "known and recognized" locally. So glad that's over!

I do, however want to be successful. To me success means producing work I can be proud of, enjoying the process of producing that work and having others like it enough to purchase it for their own homes or as gifts so that eventually I will not have to work for others to make a living.

I believe that my success is possible because I have become part of a generous, caring community of artist here that are willing to help and share with others their knowledge and experience in becoming successful.

Kathy

Kathy K. McClellan
KeppenArt

I just have to visit that coffee shop!

@Kathy, you sure are up late, time does not effect me. I can turn in early or get no sleep at all, I keep moving along. I appreciate your response to the discussion and when you read the comments to be successful is important but to be famous is not all that important. Of course if it does happen to any one of us the best you can do it take it in stride. As far as myself, yes I am famous, I was on the national antiques road show back in 2000 I do get stopped from time to time on the street, oh you are the guy who has the Blue Book. That is a 90 page reference book I found in boxes on the curb out for trash pick up. It was the directory for the red light district here in New Orleans in the late 1800's and early 1900's. A directory of all the brothel homes. New Orleans and Chicago was the only place it was legal to operate at that time.

Your avatar is a clever one, it does grab your attention. Your own personal past experience is your way of being comfortable, a personal photo is not necessary to achieve success here at Fine Art America. Personally with my participation with theater and performances across the country I have no problem what so ever with being in the limelight of things..

You nailed it, your comment about this wonderful community here at Fine Art America we all help each other through networking our life experiences successes and failures. And that very same networking was the original concept pretty much of Sean's idea or something like that anyway. The resources here are so bountiful there is no other cyber site quite like it.

By the way, the coffee shop I am referring like all coffee shops is such a common place to meet fellow artist, musicians, and so many others. You just never know who you might meet. And the coffee and company is very nice even with a complete stranger.

Whatever works..

Im creating and selling fine art photography,its source of my inspiration and income. Fame is bringing more appreciation and customers - and its welcome. Without recognition and significant style you cant sell more. Although its bring more attention to the person and it could be quiet annoying. Artist has to keep some intimacy and mystery around....

Mike Savad - if you had not been known you wouldnt sell that much, so the recongnition (fame) is a part of successful sales.

It's very important to me. Well, I don't care about the "famous" part...just the successful part.

Fame is a great thing but the fact is most fame comes after the artist is no longer alive and his works come to an end. I am using the national contest as a means for exposure only as I don't plan on winning, it would be nice but I am pretty sure the odds are against it so I don't give it much thought. Many of my shots are of my native residence and the things I see rapidly disappearing. When these things are gone we have lost part of our heritage and a part of our ancestry, some day people will see my photos and realize what it used to be like. I grew up on a family farm and there are so few of them left anymore I feel the need to capture these places as a reminder of the past and what we have lost, time marches on and not always for the good, I am already enjoying the support and admiration of the community around me and to me this is fame, I don't need the world to appreciate my work, just the part of the world I live in. That, to me, is success and not so much the sales, I make plenty of money in my day job and it fully supports my passion for this. I enjoy what I am doing, I am happy to share it with those that don't get to see it.

"Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally." - David Frost

Oh come on...I didn't read the responses but ...who wouldn't want success and fame and fortune??? How would that impact my life...quite a bit! Not that I see that happening but how cool would that be!

@Wow, Ok Val, when I get my first nomination in Hollywood I would want you to be my escort down the red carpet! I can see it now photographers stopping to take your photo and I would just have to jump in front of you, hey don't forget about me. Look, this is my good side lol, lol, lol,. I remember so well when I attended the antiques road show I was a bit surprised when the curator for valuable and rare books saw my blue book and said, How would you like to be on TV? I immediately said yes, he absolutely new after hearing my story it would make an excellent segment on the PBS Antiques Road Show, I can not tell you how many times they have replayed that segment. They took me to the Green Room we sat down and had a mock interview, was I a bit nervous yes but it was exciting. I was going to be on National and International TV, Oh, I sign autographs if anyone wants one, lol, lol, lol. So advice, if anyone is ever in that position and you will be interviewed and perhaps become famous, take a deep breath and smile.

All my friends were shocked by my reaction and said Michael, they had never seen me so quiet, lol, lol, lol, but you have to remember the segment does not last long and the interviewer is describing and asking the questions and the answers are somewhat brief in a situation like that. What I stunned when he informed me exactly how valuable my find was. I was shocked, stunned, my friends said Michael you were lost for words, lol, lol.

I don't want to be famous at all. I would prefer to make a quiet living from people who enjoy my art, but that's kind of an oxymoron thing, right? If nobody knows who you are, nobody will see or buy your art. I'm trying to walk that thin line between obnoxiously saying "LOOK AT ME" and pleasantly saying "You like so-and-so images? I have some of those, please take a look".

Really, though I don't want to be pushy and high-powered about it. That to me takes away the enjoyment. It's about the art, but I also have to eat. Can't eat the art....

I'd like to be a secret billionaire.

I can't stand the paparazzi!

@Bonfire, you are correct Fame is important to some and others view it differently. It does happen from time to time a living artist or photographer gets fame not after they pass but while still living. It does depend on the situation. When another contest was offered it seems to me why conduct it they way they do I am a lost for words. You would think offer the contest to submit your photos and have a team of judges go through the process of selecting the finalist. This is why you have editors or behind the scenes to narrow down the selection. To achieve votes solicited or otherwise IMO does make for a contest. You submit your image and let the behind the scenes take it from there. Do you realize just how many other International Photography Company's offer contest do they offer the contestant to have a vote and then the winners are selected from that, the answer is NO they do not. IMO the contest Fine Art America is not a typical contest. I like contest and I do enter them the big contest you just never know what would be a selected as a winning photo.

We all have seen your progression of your continued work as a photographer and your harmony with your surroundings is just sensational and masterful. And yes, your work does reveal the inner-passion within you. Is there a difference, photos which reveal a passion or otherwise, yes. When its viewed as the overall picture this is where the passion and brand is revealed. Its as if a natural documentary of the environment which surrounds you. Thanks for your contribution to the discussion.

I think I might like to rule the world, but I don't want anyone to notice me while I do it. :)



Seriously, I have no grand aspirations, I'm in the same "just want to sell artwork" club as Mr. Savad.

I always had bills to pay and I paid them.
Screw the fame.
Faa is a warehouse for me so that I don't clog up my real website.

I just want to make a living for me and my family. That is success for me.

Hello Marlene, you nailed it, the separation of an online business perspective and an artist show. Of course there is no real fame on line, nor producing an art show in the pubic sector fame is associated. Fame is attached to something of extraordinary sequence of events. I appreciate your input into the discussion as you may have read it was something totally unrelated and I wanted to hear the feed back from everyone here at Fine Art America. I like your way of thinking and you are so correct, I never actually thought of it that way but Fine Art America is a warehouse, a larger than life warehouse. Thanks for taking the time out to comment.

Cheers, Michael Hoard Actor, Artist, Photogrpher

Ever since I was a small child I wanted to be famous. Had no idea how I was going to accomplish that but was very determined. I had thought I'd be a famous singer. I loved to sing and was in school choirs sines the second grade 8 years old. By the time I was a freshman in high school I was in four choirs. Partway through my freshmen year we moved to Tahoe and was extremely upset to learn there was no choirs in the school or our church. Nor were there any voice teachers. My dreams of being a famous singer was crushed, wiped out, gone. So I put energy into dancing. Disco was all the craze and my partner and I were good. Only I had way more ambition then he did. We were local celebrities at all the dance clubs and were nicknamed Fred and Ginger. But I could never get him to push into the big competition in San Fransico or L.A. During all those years I was raising 4 kids, working in my parents art gallery, framing, painting and teaching painting. It never a cured to me that I could be a famous painter.

Yesterday I landed my fifth gallery representation here on Maui for my miniature paintings. I'm feeling a bit famous today! But now the work really begins. Keeping up with sells through the busy season. I just finished painting 20 miniatures for two of the galleries and need to paint at least another 20 in the next week or two.

Fame and fortune comes with a price. Lots and lots of work.

@Cynthia, I like your way of putting it you would not mind to rule the world, you just do not want anyone to notice while you do it. And like yourself and everyone else we are all here regardless to what capacity because the opportunity is here for us to do it and that is sell. Like yourself and so many others here Mike Savad is foremost a mentor and yes on top of the list of businessman approach to tackling his business of marketing and selling. It does amaze me and I am sure not just here but other marketing sites as well. And I do think about all the other Fine Art America members who day in, day out continue their presence in sales but are the silent members. It would be interesting to hear their voice. Are they successful yes they concentrate only on the business aspect and no other involvement.

@Grigrous, thank you for your contribution to the discussion. After viewing all the responses it seems my question did spark a genuine interest to everyone who contributed. Seeing all the responses does it help me as an individual and fellow member it sure does. Does it help others members I would only hope so new an existing members. We all live our lives its almost like a juggling act but we all do it. Do we expect fame or success from it yes and no. I can make an assumption and say we all live our lives with normalcy as possible. I do have to realize to get a response to a question such as this it all depends on the individuals situation.

@Rick, a billionaire, now you are talking. And the world as we know it this day and age they have been on the incline over the years. Thanks for your input.

Cheers, Michael Hoard Actor, Artist, Photographer

@Darice, thank you so much for contribution to the discussion. What an amazing story how you have wanted the fame over the years and it seems like you have done just that now with your recognition and involvement in your past and upcoming gallery show. We do as artist and photographers put blood, sweat and equity in our on going quest for success and fame. Best of success with your upcoming show. Snap, Snap, what was that? Awhh, the old whip, now snap to it. Go get em!!!!

Cheers, Michael Hoard Actor, Artist, Photographer

I am already a legend in my own mind so I am good.

@JC it does not get any better than that! Perhaps I should hurry up and see if I can change the title to Legend also. You certainly have put (blood, sweat and tears) an expression we all say when you are renovating a house, the infamous expression blood, sweat and tears in equity. Pretty much an expression used when we are on line and the hours we spend fine tuning our web pages and videos. When you think about it we are all legends in our own minds.... You have shown us all thru examples of your work the importance of many technical details I certainly would have never know about thanks and thanks for your input in the discussion.

@Mary, its a pleasure seeing you again I enjoyed your comment, "a quiet living" how content and nice is that, very. Agree with you we all have bills to pay. Thank goodness mine are below average, I have always tried to stick to a monthly budget. Without all the frills and hoopla you are famous and successful and continue to move along. "Its all about the art, and its all about the photography" this is so obvious and is revealed throughout your gallery of images. I have always enjoyed reading you comments and thank you for your participation in this one. Cheers, Michael Hoard Actor, Artist, Photographer