Ep. 346 | Earning Money as a Starving Artist (with @JeffGoinswriter)

TL;DR

Earning a living as an artist is possible with the right mindset.

Transcript

hello everybody Welcome to the minimalist podcast where we discuss what it means to live a meaningful life with less my name is Joshua Fields Milburn and I'm Ryan Nicodemus and together we are the minimalists Ryan we've heard it a thousand times there's no money in art it's too risky you'll starve to death so we end up chasing more stable careers w... Read More

Key Insights

• Many artists struggle financially due to outdated beliefs about the impossibility of making money through art. The reality is that with the right strategies, artists can thrive.
• The book 'Real Artists Don't Starve' by Jeff Goins outlines 12 strategies that have helped artists succeed financially for centuries.
• Stubbornness is a critical trait for artists, but it must be directed towards the vision rather than the details to avoid getting lost in minutiae.
• F. Scott Fitzgerald's story illustrates the importance of maintaining a vision while being flexible with details to achieve success.
• Having a patron or a supportive audience is vital for artists, but the first patron should be oneself, using personal resources to support their art.
• Artists should focus on practicing in public and using platforms like social media to create and share their work, rather than just promoting it.
• Consistency in creating and sharing work is key to building an audience and achieving success as an artist.
• Letting go of past creations can be cathartic and necessary to move forward and create new, meaningful art.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why do even the most talented artists often struggle financially?

Talented artists struggle financially because they may adhere to outdated beliefs about the impossibility of making money through art. They might lack practical strategies for success, such as having a clear vision, being flexible with details, and finding patrons who support their work.

Q: What is the premise of Jeff’s book?

Jeff Goins' book, 'Real Artists Don't Starve,' posits that being a starving artist is a choice rather than a necessity. The book provides 12 strategies that have helped artists achieve financial success throughout history, challenging the myth that artists must struggle financially.

Q: How does stubbornness help artists?

Stubbornness helps artists by keeping them committed to their vision and goals, even in the face of setbacks. However, it is crucial that this stubbornness is directed towards the vision rather than getting bogged down in the details, which can hinder progress.

Q: How does a hyper focus on details harm artists?

A hyper focus on details can harm artists by causing them to lose sight of their overall vision, leading to perfectionism and paralysis. This can prevent them from completing and sharing their work, ultimately hindering their success and growth as artists.

Q: What is the importance of patrons for artists?

Patrons are important for artists because they provide financial support and validation for their work. However, artists should first act as their own patrons by using personal resources to fund their art, gradually building an audience that can support them.

Q: How do artists best actualize their dreams?

Artists best actualize their dreams by maintaining a clear vision, being flexible with the details, and consistently creating and sharing their work. They should focus on building a supportive audience and using social media as a platform for practicing and sharing their art.

Q: What is the best use of our creations that no longer hold any meaning for us?

The best use of creations that no longer hold meaning is to let them go, whether by donating, recycling, or digitizing them for posterity. This process can be cathartic and necessary for artists to move forward and focus on creating new, meaningful work.

Q: How do I best manage my PR on social media so I have adequate time to produce my art?

To manage PR on social media effectively, artists should focus on practicing in public and using the platform to create and share their work. Setting boundaries and prioritizing art over promotion can help maintain a balance between creating and managing a social media presence.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The podcast discusses the challenges artists face in earning a living and how they can overcome them by adopting strategies that have historically worked for successful artists.

• Stubbornness, when directed towards maintaining a vision rather than focusing on details, can help artists achieve their goals and avoid getting bogged down in perfectionism.

• Artists should use social media as a platform to practice and share their work, focusing on consistency and creating meaningful connections with their audience.