If Only We'd Known

5 Artists Reveal What They Wish They'd Known Before They Joined the Art Biz

Many of us would have made different decisions in life had we only known more way back when. Then again, maybe we’re glad we didn’t know how hard it was to be an artist, a parent or a world traveler, because we might have stayed home in bed with the covers over our heads. This month, five UAN artists muse on what they wish they’d known before joining the art business. 

 


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Michelle purvis

Michelle Purvis, painter: To stick to one thing. I have invested so much money on projects that have nothing to do with painting but I am a painter. I should stick to painting and let the seamstresses and metal workers make their own beautiful art!


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forbish square

Joe Forbish, metal artist: Don't do it. It sucks. You take a passion and turn it into a career. It can burn you out very fast from doing what you once loved. Flip side is that if you can keep at it, it can be a very rewarding decision.


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kent forrester

Kent Forrester, wood artist: How hard it is to make a buck.


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Trish Randall

Trish Randall, painter: What I wish I'd known when I first started making and selling art is one, that it would take over large portions of my house; and two, that setting up my own flower garden would be such a great source of inspiration for painting (I would have planted it sooner).


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mauricio romano

Mauricio Romano, jewelry maker: The curve of learning for an artist can be tough. However, we all have to pay our dues. Once you do that it's a matter of starting to raise the bar. To market our art can be really challenging, even when the art could be the best. I guess if you would've known the answers, it could have lost its joy... kind of like already knowing what's inside the box before you open the present.


—By Teresa Bergen