When I was growing up my father owned an advertising agency. As a result he was always involved in something creative. I loved this. I remember sitting on top of the kitchen table as he used those smelly, toxic ( I still LOVE that smell, do you know the one?) felt pens to design logos for his clients. There were no computers back then and coming up with ideas was done simply with pens and paper. Unlike a computer that is designed for one, art supplies spread on top of a kitchen table is much more of an invitation for others to join in. I always drew too.
His background when he was growing up was art and design and so when he did finally retire he started up oil painting again. His work has evolved over the last 20 or so years from representational to abstract. It is such a cool thing to be able share both of our creative journeys whenever we talk. I think both of us have influenced each other.
One of the great things about having a father who was in the creative art field was that he was simply IN a creative art field. This is what he enjoyed doing and he was able to support our family in the process. Luckily for me I was taught to believe that not only could I continue to do art, which was something I loved, but I could make a living doing it. Knowing now what I know and being involved in the process of helping people overcome the many false beliefs around art making as a viable career, I truly see how fortunate I was to be raised with this expectation.
I chose to go to art school because I loved making Art and I never wondered how I was going to make a living once I graduated. I know understand this was in large part to my Father.
I remember being at one of his office parties about a year before going to college. He was talking to someone about where I was going to school and that I was passionate about art. I overheard him sheepishly ask my father, trying not to talk too loud to let me overhear…”Aren’t you a little nervous- I mean, do you really think there is any money in Art?”
To which my Father instantly replied with an air of authority, ( Both my parents are British and are not lacking in having their own opinions) “No I am not worried at all, there is nothing BUT money in Art!”
Looking back I don’t know why or how he came to this conclusion, but it was said with such conviction, that I just figured it was true. Of course, from that point on I just threw out this line at anyone who questioned the viability of my career choice. I have been saying it all my life and now I say it to students who find themselves lingering on the edge of doing something they want to do but are held back because of money worries.
This statement has served me well. Repeating this mantra it has had a self fulfilling prophecy for me. Next time someone from the sidelines nervously asks you about the financial viability of your profession try saying it. It feels good. It has a way of raising the bar. It puts you squarely in the driver’s seat of your extraordinary life.
Over the years I have come to realize why the statement is so powerful. If you do something personal in Art (unique) it and you love it (passion) , I believe with out a doubt, you can make money doing it. Conviction, intention, passion, and authenticity are the underlying forces at work here and when these are aligned they are unstoppable.
Is their really money in Art?
Hell Yes! There is nothing but money in it!
Thanks Dad.
Does this ring true for you? I am curious.
Please leave your comments below.
With conviction,
Nicholas
PS Have a look at my father’s amazing work here.
39 Comments
Hi! I’m
Nicholas Wilton
the founder of Art2Life.
With over 20 years experience as a working artist and educator, I’ve developed a systematic approach that brings authenticity, spontaneity and joy back into the creative process.
Join me and artists from all over the world in our Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group or learn more here about Art2Life.
Nich, these words are so meaningful to me, thank you! My father is not a painter but, even if we worked in another field, he has always enjoyed writing and creativity. My mother does paint (naife) but not as a professional. But you know one of my best memories of my life? My parents letting my brother and I PAINT ALL OVER THE GARAGE! One very good friend of mine (also an artist) says that to be an artist it is better to have parents that let you use colors in the house than parents that send you to art school… GRAZIE e CIAO! Cris
PS just had a look at your dad’s painting, BELLISSIMI, bravo!
“Does this ring true for you? I am curious.”
NO,
but I am happy for you and your father.
I like Bernard’s honesty! But I love the energy Nick and is dad hold around the possibility of making money in art. I believe when we are aligned with our authenticity and the mindset of abundance, the money will indeed flow! Both have to be true.
So how do you think about the financial viability of your art? Not that one even has to care about this but so many people can’t afford the free time to make art so they need some payout from their efforts…curious…
Thank you so much for this. I had a very different background in this area so I’ve had to do some of my own parenting to overcome limiting beliefs.
Every one of your posts gives me a lot to think about but none more so than this one. I was brought up in an environment with the opposite mindset which only led to struggle for me. However, as I started to question and change that, this post up and at the right time. Your words about conviction, intention, passion, and authenticity and their alignment is something I will read over and over. Your father’s words are a new mantra for me. Thank you for sharing all that you do with us.
Thanks for your thoughts… I only realized how fortunate I was till much later in my life. I knew once I started talking to other people about the common experiences of having to overcome OTHER people’s beliefs FIRST before you can even begin to figure out how you can muster the confidence to take on a serious art pursuit.
Isn’t it hard enough already?! Jeez.
I believe there is money in Art.
There are many variables that lead you to that money.
To name a few talent, luck, connections, tenacity, personality, passion, enthusiasm, location
marketing (even if it is just setting up a table on a side walk)branding… to name just a few.
Love this! It is so true. Headed to Provincetown next week to spend another winter painting and writing. Perfect time to land on your page.
There is nothing but money in art … there is nothing but money in art … there IS nothing but money in art!
🙂
Your Dad’s work is inspiring. Wonderful.
Nicholas, thank you for this post. I’ve been working to convince myself lately that I can make money at this gig. This is so new for me and I kept hearing voices in my head that “there are a lot of easier ways to make art.” But the other side of my brains says “you know you want to do this.” So I’m investing. Yes, I believe it takes investment (real risk) and commitment.
It’s this odd philosophy that keeps your painterly meandering in the realm of decorative wall pieces and separated from deeply felt artistic integrity. It’s also the reason you’ll be forever surrounded by the Scrapbook collage crowd and middle class art dabblers. So long.
I know and am utterly secure in my integrity and will not try to convince you otherwise as it is irrelevant. What I think is important is for artists of all kinds, young, middle age and old to understand their is a connection between making strong work that is authentic and personal and being able to sell that work to help continue your artistic journey. I think artists are often hung up with thinking they have to suffer financially to make meaningful work..I don’t buy this, nor do I condone making art in order to make money. Money comes as a result–just like most things in life when you combine passion, intention and risk together in art.
I hope you don’t plan to be gone too long as your posts are helpful especially the ones that are not in agreement with mine.
Well said. Huge difference between painting something just because you hope and think it will sell, versus digging deep within the soul to express what only you can say. When an audience sees this type of art, it is the authenticity, originality, struggle, and courage they are won over by. When even you can’t copy your own work, it’s authentic 😉
Nicholas, you’re fortunate to have grown up with this kind of positive approach.Your post hit a nerve because this has been a central issue for me for a long time. I’ve put my thoughts in a post on my artcalling site here:
https://artcalling.wordpress.com/2015/07/09/this-money-thing-again/
Please take it with a grain of salt, seeing artists doing well within a market setting challenges my convictions that art and commerce belong to 2 different worlds and generally shouldn’t mix. But it is good to see how others work with this dilemma and helps me form a more balanced view. And I am glad you are doing well, you deserve to.
Thank you for sharing this Nick. What I learned from this is how your experience to me, is another prove on what we believe faithfully inside us will manifest in our outer world. Quoting you, “I never wondered how I was going to make a living”, that’s a very powerful faith statement. And thus you receive. I’m very grateful that you are so lucky to have such wise, strong father.
My (earthly) father is very different from yours on this, nevertheless I believe without any doubt I will overcome any limiting belief I inherited from him. Interestingly in my bias, I believe that the male energy (represented in our subconcious more or less by our biological father influence) is also the power of bringing tangible result to our ideas. My wounded relationship with my father is mirrored in how difficult it is for me to feel unstuck and achieve my goals. This theme has been very actual to me lately and as I forgive him more I believe I can also be financially abundant being who I really am and doing what I’m best at.
Wow–I know several women who also are challenged by similar circumstances. Bravo for you to realize and be living proof that we alone hold the opportunities for ourselves, not those who doubt us or limit approval. Thanks for sharing this. I also see how forgiveness plays a big part in de charging his limiting belief you have fought against..
Nicholas, thank you for sharing your father’s wisdom and courage. A great adage for us all to adopt in reply to the naysayers who’d rather see us conform. The best thing I ever did was earn a liberal arts degree in Art History…for no other reason than I loved art and history. The next best thing I ever did was take a leap of faith and started creating things. At the time, even those closest to me asked how I was going to make money doing so. My answer was that making money was secondary. Early on I supported myself through a sideline; and within a few years, I was making my own work full time and had a studio/workshop and a staff helping me–and I gave up the sideline. I’ve not achieved great wealth, but I’ve always made my rent and payroll, and my children have never gone without life’s necessities. When younger people ask me what they should ‘do’, my response is: ‘do whatever you are compelled to do and have true passion for, without regard for monetizing it….you’ll figure that part out later’. Monetizing one’s passion is just another aspect of living a creative life. Best to you and thanks for sharing your father’s wisdom and open-minded spirit with us.
well said–thx
I think that sums it up for me too.
Sharing your positive reinforcement from your Dad with us really helps us understand one of many reasons why your art is so powerful, Nick. I think what we “eat” (hear, process, read) is often how we think, and what we think definitely impacts our art and how or where it fits in our life. You and your work are an example of how important it is, early in life, to have positive reinforcement and encouragement from someone you totally respect and love, your Dad. Because he filled you with nothing but positive thoughts to fill your mind from a very young age, you took it and ran with it and never looked back. Now, you help others do the same. You are an original, and it goes to show that without inhibition, being able to tap into your childlike passion with adult skill, motivation and life experience, truly the world is your oyster. It is a very inspiring reinforcement for those of us who are parents with children. I had loving parents, one who was exceptionally creative, but her Japanese culture placed art at the bottom of the totem pole (but teaching, very high!). My father’s appreciation of art was for Norman Rockwell, but not much beyond that. You stand as a beacon of hope for those of us who need and must find our way to self discovery and belief to come to that place where we can fully embrace your very important mantra. It is just a joy to see your work and through it feel your passion and contentment with life; it bubbles up from a huge resource of belief in yourself. Thank you, Nick’s Dad, and thank you, Nick for giving back what you have been so generously given – HOPE!
Thank you Pamela for speaking from the voice of people who “ate” the message that “art” is not a business, but a hobby filled with passion. I also heard: “The odds of earning a living from visual art is very small.”
Thanks, Sue! I ate a lot, that’s for sure – i.e., that if I liked gardening, “I was a farmer”, and that I should be a doctor, state senator, but not an architect since (according to the newspaper article my uncle presented to me) “Women Don’t Make Good Architects.” etc. Because I ate, and swallowed, “art is just a hobby – get your degree first”, I did just that. I got a degree in Biochemistry that nearly killed me. So yeah, what we say to our kids matters, and that’s why I feel Nick is on a mission to “save art souls” and he’s doing it, one person at a time. Hope you’re eating healthy now 🙂 I’m on a strict art/DietCoke/Atkins bar diet myself!
But what would make anyone think that art is a business?
By the way, 1% of the visual artists in Holland can live exclusively from doing their art. The percentage is comparable elsewhere I would think.
Art is a business because people want some of it and pay money for some of it?
well thanks–I just feel sometimes there needs to be an alternative to the starving artist paradigm! You too are proving this wrong..
Thank you for sharing that!
What a gift to have a parent as an artist who understands the range of emotions and obstacles we all have to deal with. My short story–parents supportive through college but I needed a “paying” job>found graphic design and advertising and illustration>career for 35 years>learning various painting media throughout>finally launched myself in 2013. Love every minute and I don’t worry about past just look forward to where I can take my work in the future. Happier than ever. (Love reading your thoughts.)
In my experience being able to make money from your art is a different skill from making art. If I was as good at say accounting as I am at painting, I am pretty sure I would be making a living from it. Perhaps it isn’t the right question.
yes, Zom it is the right question, it is, as e e cummings has said, ‘the beautiful question’ and thank you for having the courage to ask it. Sarah
I agree entirely…however–I think artists think that if they choose to make art they will be poor financially. This does not have to be the case –but only if they understand that strong personal work, derived from paying attention to one’s personal artistic journey, has a strong liklihood of selling–this kind of art coupled with the mentality (very important) that financial returns are possible as a result of your psssion is not spoken of- in my opinion, enough. There is a shame that somehow we (artists) are not supposed to be even remotely thinking about money less are art becomes tainted…my art will be made regardless of sales- however the sales for me, given that I still live in the real world and have to earn money to live, go a long way to enable me to build and continue my momentum as an artist.
Although I agree with most of this, I do think that one artists’ personal journey may not sit as well on a wall as another’s. There are many artists whose very competent personal work has a difficult time finding a market. That doesn’t make the work less valid, it just means that the work is less palatable for most of the art market.
Yes true..however I am amazed that what I see in terms of super strong work—really developed-that work- not matter what kind or style, finds a mark
et. People recognize and value strong work…
Love this!!!!
Nicholas, I always really appreciate your advice and your inspiration ( and I also really like your art ) but I’m afraid that this time, I have to take issue with your “nothing but money in art” post. It’s possible of course that money could be a by-product of your art-making but in my opinion, making art is not about making money. If one starts thinking like this, one is on a slippery slope – which could end up with making art to please the art market. Not a good idea, wouldn’t you say? eoin
Totally agree with you Eoin. The difference between making art, and then it happens to sell. And making art to sell. Different worlds entirely.
I agree and maybe the post title is confusing—Of course you don’t set out to make money and decide a way to do it is to make Art…that never informs properly…I merely am offering the idea that art if made from a place of authenticity–if it is something you truly care about and it is unique and personal that there is a market–a huge market actually for this caliber of work. When I stepped up my commitment to my Art my sales increased. IF we never talk about the financial connection between making strong work or staying in the realm of making art believing there is no way artists can ever climb out of the financial abyss of art making- the starving artist, I feel many people won’t even try. this post attempts to offer an alternative idea based upon my personal experience. -.
… an important synapse created early from a parent – doesn’t get much
more powerful than that – a potent affirmation. never too
late to create a new synapse either for those of us without that
particular early affirmation. create it now. mine is ‘i am a creative and
financially successful artist’. i used to be an eye-rolling cynic about affirmations, but have used them repeatedly in recent years (why not? i thought to myself one day), and it has created a new lens to look through and made a difference in my attitude – a half-full, rather than a default half-empty attitude – with some pleasing results. baby steps.
– Annabelle