075: Change Your Mindset

Wherein I discuss the 3 mindsets of money for Artists

Aug 27, 2023

Welcome to week 75 of the Draw or Die Newsletter for Visual Storytellers. A reminder there are 74 other weeks available for free in the archive, covering a range of topics, from making money with your art, battling imposter syndrome, balancing a creative life. I hope it serves you well.

There’s an uptick in questions coming in about making money with your art. I don’t like to talk about this all the time, because I think it’s important that you don’t judge your art or skill based on the money you make or don’t make from it.

I know brilliant artists who can’t seem to sell their art. Sometimes it feels like maybe they’re “too good”— but in reality it’s probably that they lack some marketing training or business basics to really stand out in the market.

And here’s some truth:

You might not be able to make money drawing the things you really want to draw.

…and that’s okay.

BUT, you do have the skills to go get the money that’s out there. And it DOES exist. You can use that money to go create the things you really want to do.

It’s the same situation as Artists who have to have a day job. (And that’s the majority of us) You may indeed need to have a day job, but use some of that money to do what you love.

It’s a hard truth when we look around and see that the world really doesn’t value artists or their skills. Artists are taken for granted. And with the emergence of AI Generative Art and writing, it’s getting worse.

None of that means it’s impossible. It’s just trickier to make money with your art these days.

The key to success is to have the right mindset.

And if you find yourself in the wrong mindset, you may need to shift into the right one fast.

Our 3 Common Mindsets

Mindset #1 “Clueless but Curious”

You have no idea where to even begin, and so you don’t even start. That’s where the majority of artists are. That’s mainly because society around us says that art isn’t a real job or something you can make a career with. It’s a lie.

“Clueless” isn’t an insult, it just means you haven’t learned enough yet, you’re willing to learn. Maybe it’s why you’re on a list like this one.

If you’re in a learning phase, it’s important to look to successful artists, and even try to speak to them if you can. Learn from those who have done it.
Remember, DO NOT LISTEN TO THE NAYSAYERS.

Making a living from your art is totally achievable.
But it’s going to take work.

Mindset #2 Tunnel Vision

You’ve had your heart set on doing one specific style and making a living from it.

Maybe you set out to be a tattoo artist or draw comics and for whatever reasons it’s not worked out.

Your ego is the enemy. You may find yourself thinking you don’t want to be a sellout and do resort to drawing something that you feel is beneath you. Your ego can blind you to the opportunities that could lead to even larger success, if you’d just be a little more flexible and humble.

This is the danger zone, because so many artists QUIT and give up because they set out to do one thing with their art, they perceive it as failing and so they stop.

And we all know what happens when artists force themselves to stop making art, right?

You’re going to walk around miserable, feeling lost, depressed.
Some artists get angry, and some wreck themselves with drugs and alcohol.

It’s no way to live. DRAW or DIE!

Mindset #3 The Willing & Able

This is the dynamic mindset. The artists who stay open minded and willing to try new things or explore other avenues to success.

In many ways, it’s easier to go from “clueless & curious” mindset to “willing & able”, than to get unstuck from the “tunnel vision” mindset.

🂃 When you become flexible and dynamic, it can become a domino effect. You never know when one thing might lead to something bigger, or lead you right to where you wanted to be all along.

I understand all three levels because I’ve been there.

At one point I was totally clueless on what to charge, or that anyone would be willing to actually pay me to draw something for them. I undercharged for my art, and there are many out there who will take advantage of poor artists.

And then I found myself accidentally stuck in tunnel vision mode. For me it was just “make it in comics” or nothing else.

I focused everything I had into “breaking in” and getting published and paid to draw comics. Occasionally I would draw the one off thing for a friend but I’d never freelance much. I did achieve some success there, but it fell apart rapidly, and I saw how fleeting that one industry was. I had bet all my chips on comics, and the odds are not in your favor there.

Out of sheer necessity, and maybe by accident, I had to shift my mindset to “willing & able.”

Example: People didn’t want to buy my independent comics at shows, but they loved my art. They wanted me to draw their favorite character in their style. I fought this for a long time and felt like doing fan art of any kind was hacky and beneath me.

Finally at one show I broke down and decided to offer some live sketching of fan art, and I was instantly busier than ever.

While I enjoyed drawing those commissions, I wasn’t feeling happy about it inside.

It wasn’t my favorite thing to do. But it was paying me well and I had return customers. And the added bonus was that it brought a lot of joy to fans.

My mindset shift happened kind of naturally there, where I realized, yes I didn’t WANT to draw those things, but I had a skill to provide.

Think of the market you’re in as a river that’s flowing. The market is going to show you what’s working, and it’s hard to swim against that current. It’s when you go with the flow that things can begin really sailing along.

I realized I could use that money to invest in myself and what I really wanted to do.

This mindset shift also allowed me to enjoy my own art again … for myself.

I felt unburdened by the pressure or feeling that if it wasn’t making money it must not be a success. I just wanted to make what I wanted to make for myself, and I didn’t even really care if nobody saw it.

You probably have something like this in your art journey.
Maybe you’re asked to draw tattoo designs, and you hate the idea.
Maybe someone asked you to paint a mural?
Or draw their cat?

Self awareness is your key

I know artists who have been drawing for decades and they never seem to improve their art? Their style kinda stayed “stuck”- I know several artists like this in comics. Very similar thing happens to musicians and tattoo artists.

I think it has a lot to do with being stuck in that “tunnel vision” mindset.

If you’re stuck in a tunnel like that it’s very hard to hear feedback or objectively look at your own art. You’re kinda lost in your own world.

The market decides. Not you. If the people knew you existed and they don’t pick up your work, there must be a reason.

But you’ll never know or see it when you’re stuck in your own tunnel.

It’s not easy, but it’s worth it

Changing your mind can feel freeing.

If you find yourself struggling against the current, consider this your sign to start going with the flow.

That’s where the magic happens.

🔥This Week’s Drawing CHALLENGE!

This week’s drawing prompt is:

“GO WITH THE FLOW”

Be sure to tag #drawordieclub on the platform of your choice so we can all find each other (we’re mostly on instagram) Maybe we’ll feature your art in future livestreams and content!