If you want to have a career as an artist – or even if you’re just working on a single project – there may be some business that you’ll need to take care of, or make sure someone else is taking care of for you.
Business doesn’t fit with the romantic notion of being an artist, and many artists don’t like this aspect of their careers. However, it’s rare that an artist’s work is seen by the public without some paperwork and organizing beforehand. Success as an artist is a mixture of talent, luck, connections and, for many, skill at writing grant applications. It’s often a case of preparation meeting opportunity.
First of all, if you want to sell your art, or to communicate an idea to the public through your artwork, then you have to let people know what you’re doing. This is called “networking” or “promotion.” If promoting, or “selling,” yourself is hard for you to do, then you may eventually find someone to do that for you.
Finding a gallery to represent you is a good route to follow if you’re a visual artist but the gallery will, of course, take a “commission” (a percentage of the price) for any sales they make of your work. A portfolio that has photos of your work is essential for the visual artist.
Especially in these times artists also have to be business people.