Reality TV shows like American Idol or Scouted about models gaining instant fame, feed an unrealistic fantasy that an artist’s success could be offered in one instant.

In fact, we all know that success will be earned over time with as many opportunities as you can cultivate and satisfy.

When I coach or consult with creatives I always tell them, “No one is coming to save you, no one is going to discover you. So get very clear on your SMART goal and then build and maintain an Action Plan to get there.”

I know.  I’ve been featured in the national media.  And although it can give one some street cred it doesn’t necessarily result in a wind fall of sales.

I also know how to get things done, that have not been done before, within a certain time frame.

My last straight job, seven years ago, was as a project management consultant.

This is one transferable skill that comes in very handy from my years dwelling in a corporate cubicle.

A SMART goal may be, “I’m so happy that in 2012 my art sales exceeded $80,000.”

What is required of successful artists is the faith and the fortitude to claim and then create what they want by taking constant action.

However big or small it may seem, stretch and heed the Greek sage Epictetus “First say to yourself what you would be; then do what you have to do.”

Fame comes from a lot of  media exposure.  And Public Relations is an important marketing strategy for all small businesses, but you really can’t control it.  You can only control planned and measured efforts towards a SMART goal.

Epictetus taught us that suffering arises from trying to control what is uncontrollable, or from neglecting what is within our power.  So what I can control, what is within my power, is keeping a list of potential media opportunities and contacting so many every week.  My SMART goal is to, have 3 or more favorable national press spots in 2012.

By striving consistently, it eventually pays off.  This is the key lesson.  Success is incremental.

“No one is coming to save you, no one is going to discover you.”

We all know of the artist who is the wife of a rich man or the kept creative of someone or another.

There’s a common myth that if you are going to be a successful artist you’ll need a sugar daddy or mama to keep you going financially as your build your list of collectors.

Well, my sugar daddy never showed up. Not that I was ever looking for him or that I would have even wanted him if he did arrive.  I wanted to create art and create a profitable business.  They are both vital expressions of my creative self.

My good friend Tamar Gellar, famed dog trainer to the celebrities, and NYT best-selling author, often quotes her mentor Tony Robins who says, “You don’t have to be rich, you just have to be resourceful.”  This is soooo very true.

This January will mark the start of my sixth year in business. Six years ago this month, I moved to San Francisco to start painting full time.  This place is one of the most, if not the most, expensive cities in the nation.  A zany move. I know.

Tamar’s reminder about resourcefulness made me recall some of the ways I intially secured resources.

First, this artist took care of her body.

I ran on the beach in front of my live/work studio every day.  I was stressed with the effort required to shape a profitable business painting.  So I knew that I could either let that build up in my body or channel the energy in a healthy way while breathing in clean ocean air.

Then she took care of her mind.

I audited a class for free in biofeedback at San Francisco State University and later practiced neuro-feedback.  Why?  Because I learned that star athletes and performing artists used this to gain states of optimal performance.  I knew that to succeed I needed to be on my A game and be prolific in order to be profitable.

So that I could take care of business.

I tapped all of the resources that I could at the Small Business Development Center.  They offer free or low cost support to small businesses.  Although I created my Blue Ocean Strategy, with the help of a good friend, the SBDC helped me learn more about operating a profitable business.

Note, none of the above cost anything.  I wasn’t rich.  I was just resourceful.  And I was very clear on my SMART goal.

You are chasing an aimless target if you are trying to appeal to the masses.  Successful artists appeal to a specific target.

There are no musicians famous for both their classical and country performances.

You know, the bull’s eye in the middle of the target.  Try to hit the whole thing and you’ll hit nothing.

Successful artists create a consistent body of work, and have a unique voice that offers a value to a target market.  Once they have gained a reputation in a specific space they can broaden their efforts.  This is marketing 101.

I first established a reputation as the “Wine Country It Girl” by creating strategic partnerships with prominent wineries.  I created several series of vineyard paintings.

Since then I’ve branched out and painted the aspens in snow, private gardens, and ranches.  With each of these new series my artistic approach remains the same, it’s only the demographic market profile that has changed.

Before I made these shifts into other markets, I first had to establish a reputation and gain recognition in one space.  This was a deliberate and targeted effort.

So if you think your art must appeal to the masses, think again.  And ask yourself, on what authority did your receive this information?  Who are the “masses?”

The good news is that you should first please yourself.  Then you are much more likely to please a few others.

You can’t and you don’t want to please everyone.  Be true to thyself, create with passion, heart, and authenticity.  This will increase your chance of success.

Remember, the work of copycats is dead on arrival.  Even if a copycat artist’s work is superb it will first compared to the more creative artist’s previous success.

To quote Comedian Bill Cosby “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.”

As I go about my daily life in business as an artist, I encounter a number of myths.  These common mis-perceptions about artists are so pervasive that I thought they deserved their own series of posts.

I thought it would be particularly instructive to share these myths on Artists Who THRIVE because a lot of these false legends come from artists themselves.

So let’s address the first myth,“artists must suffer for their art.”

Are you kidding?  Really?  Suffering is optional.

Now, I get it.  If you are struggling financially and or creatively, you will suffer.  I know.  I’ve been there.  I didn’t paint or draw a single thing for over seven long years.  During this time I developed severe anxiety and chronic clinical depression.  Notice.  I wasn’t an artist then.  I wasn’t expressing myself and that was one of the main reasons why I was suffering.

The depths of those feelings certainly inform my painting today.  And that is the silver lining in the very dark cloud I lived in for years.  But had I not focused my full attention and energy on improving emotional health and finding my artistic voice, I would certainly have continued to suffer.

Just ask yourself.  How would suffering support you in any way to be a thriving artist and entrepreneur?  Really.

Art is no doubt about feeling.  It is emotive, not literal.  Suffering transformed can inspire.  But there are healthy boundaries between your creative focus and your business enterprise.

The successful artists that I know are certainly not suffering nor are they horribly dysfunctional. I meet a lot of successful entrepreneurs.  Most of my collectors are self-made.  The successful artists that I know are just as, if not more, enterprising.

These successful artists are marketing savvy. These artists are also keen on maintaining a healthy life work balance and I find them to be generous and highly intelligent.  Is that a profile of the mythical suffering artist?  I think not.

I’ll admit.  Selling art can be a very difficult endeavor.

But I never let my frustration outweigh my gratitude for the opportunity I have to earn my living through my art.  This is bliss.  Yet it wasn’t always this way.

I’ve had to struggle and work hard to get where I am.  And I’ll have to continue this to get where I aim to go.

Every time I make a sale I am grateful.  Very grateful.  And I express this very clearly to my patrons.

In fact, I stay in touch with them each year and express my gratitude by offering them a small gift such as calendars or note cards.

Notice, I’m not giving away original oil paintings or fine art prints. These are thoughtful, affordable, and tasteful tokens.

I recently sent a patron a small package of note cards.  I had no attachment or expectation of a response.

To my delight she asked if she could purchase a custom order of these note cards.  My investment in a small gift resulted in an immediate $2000 sale.

Again, I wasn’t attached to the outcome. I considered this a gesture of good will and simply a good customer relations practice.

Good will is very important because most of my business comes by way of referrals.  Outside of my website, I do not advertise my art.

What are you grateful for?  What patrons have supported you? What can you give to express this?

Give and receive freely. Practice gratitude.  What you focus on will multiply.

1.   Your creative talent
2.   artistic ability
3.   and prolific creative output will only get you so far

And by the way you’ll need all three to be a successful artist.

1.   Artistic mastery of a certain technical standard is expected, just like a singer must hit all of the notes. If, for example, you are a glass blower, you had better know how to grind and polish the bottom of your vessel to perfection.  If you are an illustrator of architect you had must have mastered three-point perspective.

2.   Creative talent, your unique voice, must be clear enough so that work is recognizable as your own and can not be mistaken for another artist’s.  Then it must inspire, make people feel.

3.   Once you have creative talent and artistic ability down, are you ready to sell?  Maybe, if you can produce consistently.  Why?  Just like there is no use in opening a store if you are going to run out of inventory, you must produce, you must be prolific.  If you don’t, you’ll only disappoint and confuse potential collectors and your disappointment will become frustration.

And now for the big question.  Do you have a unique value proposition and a target market?  This is basic requirement for any business to thrive, creative or otherwise.

For example, what was Andy Warhol’s unique value proposition and target market? Warhol’s unique value proposition was that he celebrated the consumption of fame.

His primary target market? Distinguished intellectuals. Hollywood celebrities and wealthy patrons. He was a master of PR and networking.

So let’s get real.  The odds are very slim that anyone will make a living through their creative endeavors.

But if you have creative talent, artistic ability, and you are prolific you are half way towards success.

When is an artist ready to sell their work? An art gallery owner or art representative will determine this based on an artist’s answers to a few questions:

1. How much similar art work do you have in inventory? Art representatives will want to know if they can come back for more.
2. What other art galleries do you work with? They’ll want to have a monopoly on a certain geographic area for your work and want you not to work with anyone else in that market.
3. Do you retail your work through art galleries for more than you sell to art collectors directly? This is a no no.  If you have done this, then it demonstrates a lack of integrity because you are willing to undercut your art representative and compromise the value of your own work.
4. Do you have a website that displays your retail price or allows visitors to purchase online? Again, many art galleries not going to like this because you are eating into their market.
5. Do you accept commissions? It’s easier to sell your work if you are willing and able to do custom work and to deliver it on time.
6. Have you given your art away as gifts to your friends or family? They’ll want to know if you value your work or if you have compromised its value by gifting it.
7. What retail price do you want to sell your art work for? You need to know the answer.  That’s not their job to determine this and it will demonstrate your professionalism.  You’ll receive 50% to 60% of the retail price.
8. Do you make art full time or part time? If you make art part time, how much do you make?  What is your part time job?  The catch is that you can be judged as a hobbiest for making art part time.
9. And here’s the kicker question?  How much work have you sold your art for  for how much? If you haven’t sold anything you are far less appealing.

My answer to the question, When is an artist ready to sell their work? Anytime you have a buyer.

When you build your own market, you have control.  No one can claim a monopoly on a market where the terms are consignment, a common practice that is unethical at best and illegal at worst.

Am I slamming art galleries and or art consultants?  No.  I’m just relaying the questions that I was asked when I worked with art galleries.

Once I realized that I could develop ongoing relationships with my collectors, keep control and all of the money, I stopped working with art representatives.

When is an artist ready to sell their work? I’ve found that I’m always ready to sell my work.  But a representative may be involved in selling another artist’s work.

Are you so productive that you never get anything done?  This is can be a professional artist’s dilemma.

Do you know why?  Are you clear on your goal?  Have you made your goal your priority?  Focus.

Here’s the big question. Are you avoiding the responsibility of reaching that goal?  Maybe you need support?

It’s only when you make your goal your priority that you’ll reach it.  Until then you’ll be distracted with busy work.

Busy work could be digital habits that include checking emails, Facebook, and Twitter.

Are you ready to put aside what is distracting you from reaching your goals?  Great!  Because life is short.

Maybe your next question is “how?”

Much of our distraction comes from our physical environment.  Is your studio a mess?

Make yourself a de-clutter date.  If this is something you struggle with then either hire a personal organizer or enlist a friend.  And most importantly give yourself a deadline to get your supplies and paperwork in place.

The next step is to turn inward.  Our thoughts either distract or shape our focus.  And thoughts are things.

What do I do?  I meditate for at least 15 minutes a day. Its like erasing the chalkboard.

Many people say that they have difficulty committing to a mediation practice.  I look at it this way.  If you can brush your teeth each day then you can meditate.  Mental hygiene is as important as dental hygiene.

But if you’re struggling, actually try steadying your mental focus while you are brushing your teeth.  You know that you are going to brush your teeth each day so start by associating these habits.

It’s no accident that Jonathan Fields refers to Attention Management and focus in his new book Uncertainty and that the billionaire Venture Capitalist who reviewed my business plan evaluated its singular focus.

Multitasking dilutes your attention and it is not productive.

Know your priorities and focus on one thing at time.  Target your attention.

I just returned from traveling for a press event at Scarpetta’s in New York City to promote the new Montage Deer Valley Residences.

Before this event met up with my friend Jonathan Fields for lunch at Soho House, a hip kind of country club for creatives.

Jonathan has just authored his second insightful book “Uncertainty, Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance.”

If you are involved in any type of entrepreneurial endeavor or if you are a creative who makes their living by way of your creative output. Get the book!

Jonathan has outlined clear and useful insights that should be part of every MFA and MBA program.

I met Jonathan a few years back when he was writing “Career Renegade, How to Make a Great Living Doing What you Love.”

I’ll admit it.  I am biased because my company was profiled in Career Renegade, but I can tell you that each story was inspiring, as was my discussion with Jonathan last week.

As we talked about our creative process as it relates to our uncertainties and fears we also explored the antidote, which seems to be both acceptance and ritual.

My ritual takes this form.

• Before I start a painting I put my studio in order. It has to be clean and free of distractions.
• Then I will light one stick of sandalwood incense.
• I’ll meditate in silence for about 15 minutes.
• I pause in gratitude for the privilege and opportunity to make my living painting.
• Then I set my intention to do my best work that will inspire and move others.
• Before I pick up the paintbrush I’ll put on some soulful music that might include Amy Winehouse.

This creative ritual drops me down into a familiar mode.  I know, and I accept, that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.  I remain loosely attached to the outcome.

I do know that each time I preform this ritual and I get into a familiar headspace, I’m increasing my chances of creative satisfaction.

Ancient Greek mythology tells of the Muses, the goddesses who inspire the creation of literature and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge.

Let’s face it.  Our creative inspiration can ebb and flow.  But if you’re making your living from your creative output you can’t always wait for the Muses to show up.  We need to get crackin’.

I don’t believe in forcing one’s creative expression.  If you’re just utterly exhausted or you are just not feeling it, then you’re not.

But I have found that nine times out of ten, if I just show up in front of my easel, supplies out and brush in hand, the Muses shows up.  Yes.  The energy to create appears.

This discipline is vital as I have a commissioned based art business and I have deadlines and obligations that must be met.

Now there is that one in ten chance that I’m still not going to feel it. That’s fine.  I just let myself off the hook, go rejuvenate, and come back later.

Do you know what rejuvenates you? Is it a bubble bath, a walk around the block, a good book, and chat with a friend?

If the muse is not there then just go plug into what gives you energy or what relaxes you.

But if you are not feeling it, just try.  Prepare to create and then see if the muse shows up.

If you keep an open mind, the energy can show up.  If it’s just not there then go refuel.