 As I mentioned the other day, being an artist doesn't have to be competitive. Stay focused, work hard, learn from others and have fun. That's my best advice.
But there is one last thing we all need to do and that is learn as much as we can from our "competition". What on earth do I mean from that? First off, you have to know who "your competition" is. To be honest, I don't even like the term "competition". But you know who I am talking about. It's that group of artists who we all place on a pedestal who are really successful and awesome. I have a list of these artists that I really admire and wish I could be more like them. I admire mant of them for their painting skills, others I admire for their marketing success and others I like because they are just really great people. Some of these artists are really great friends and some of them I have never met. But I follow all of these artists on a regular basis. I watch what they do, where they go and how they do it. I follow them on social media, visit their websites regularly and keep up to date on who follows them. It's not stalking (I promise). It's just a way to understand what makes them successful and learn how I can do the same. This is the way I am leaning from my competition. But I never consider them as a threat, or do I compare myself to them. Rather, I just try to be more like them! Do you know who is your "competition"? 
3 Comments
8/11/2016 04:31:19 am
This is real hard for me. I am very self conscious about copying the actions of others. Sometimes we have the same subject matter, thus drawing on similar audiences, and in close quarters on Facebook, I shut down when I feel I'm being too similar to another artist. Needless to say, this causes me a lot of angst. How to get around feeling this way? Obviously the word threat is in my vocabulary.
Leslie Saeta
8/11/2016 04:53:05 am
I completely agree. I wasn't referring to painting similar subject matter as other artists. Rather I think it's important to watch others when it comes to marketing. Where are they showing their art? How is the art portrayed? Are they using videos, advertising on Facebook, advertising outside the art community, etc. Sorry I didn't make this clear. 8/11/2016 06:34:59 am
Thanks for the great post today, Leslie! A lot of "food for thought". I do have certain artists I follow because I admire their work and their determination. I feel like I could never achieve like them. After reading your post, I realize I don't have to. I just need to be me and use what I have gleaned as advice in my own artist's journey! Thank you. By the way, i follow you because I admire your art and your drive to achieve. This week I started writing down my art goals! Thanks for the idea! Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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Leslie
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