Is There a Magic Key?

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the process of creating momentum in your art career. The idea was to set broad goals that would put you in motion, get you unstuck, and spark your creative juices. 

Once you are in motion, what happens next? Artists think there is a secret, a magic door, and when you find the key you get what you want. On the contrary, what works best is to try different strategies until they begin to reinforce each other, and then the magic happens.

For example, an emerging artist was in conversation with a curator who was considering her work for a client. After exchanging several friendly emails, including images of her work, it all went silent.  Instead of getting discouraged, the artist began to try different communication methods. She texted, left telephone messages, offered a Zoom conversation. Eventually she got a response. 

Another artist was trying to get a job in the art world, with a degree in graphic design but no real work experience. He decided to combine three different approaches. He used his graphic design skills to transform the layout and aesthetic of his resume into an imaginative format. He then sent his “creative resume” to his network: friends, family, neighbors, teachers, other artists, and asked for a 20-minute conversation about his job search. He also created a profile to offer his skills on several freelance sites. These strategies worked together and he found an entry-level job.

The secret is that there is no one magic key. You keep experimenting with different approaches, you get advice from many people, you stay open and positive. Instead of stressing over what’s not working, you continually try something new. You stay in motion long enough for success to find you.