Artists have always met together, often in small groups, to share their work and get feedback.  These critique groups focus on the work itself rather than struggles to make a career happen. Now I’m seeing an extension of this process, where artists share how they are making their way in the art world. My own clients have recently started to do this, and I see a larger trend.

​Artists need models of success that are real to them. Social media creates the illusion that everyone else has an easier time of it than you do. A relationship with an artist partner satisfies a deep need for real life examples of how other artists make their way. When you are able to connect with people who work just as hard as you do, it gives you hope. It is reassuring to know that nobody has it easy, that progress comes in phases, with disappointment and achievement in equal measure.

This process seems to work best for mid-career artists who have already accomplished a few goals. Emerging artists usually don’t know enough to be helpful to others, since they are still learning how to take the first steps in establishing themselves. 

If you want to find an artist partner, look first within your own network. Identify someone you admire and would like to know better. Their work should be different from your own, so that you are not in competition for the same opportunities. Look for someone whose resume reveals accomplishments that are different from your own. Reach out and ask for a studio visit, in person or on Zoom, and start a conversation.

When you share your work, your goals, and your questions with another artist,  you find the energy to keep going.