How Do I Cut Through the Clutter?
Seven Tips for Breaking Into a Chaotic Art Market
Chris V. asks: “How would one begin his steps towards a painting journey (particularly juste milieu type of art) and strive towards a realization of work that can be admired in this endless overwhelming information age where everyone is trying to break through the clutter and outshout each other?
”Chris, that’s a very interesting question.
Don’t worry about the number of eyeballs. The raw count of viewers doesn’t matter as much as the interest and commitment of your followers.
You say you want your work to be admired. That is a much more valuable goal than fame or money. But it’s even more important that your work satisfies you first. You can’t please everybody with everything, and that’s OK.
There has always been clutter and competition. That was true even when you had to knock on the art director’s door and leave off your portfolio. But remember (Theodore) Sturgeon’s Law, that “90% of everything published is crud.”
Good stuff will rise through the clutter and get noticed. This follows closely on the last point. If you do striking, original work that speaks to human universals, discerning people will find you and celebrate you. So will the algorithms of YouTube, Instagram, an other social media.
You don’t have to indulge in bright colors, loud fonts, or fast video editing. (Unless they fit what you’re trying to say.) Sometimes the piece with quiet, soft grays will stand out.
If you create digital art, you’ve got to face AI. Inevitably if you create work on a computer and share it on a computer, your output will be buried by AI slop. To stand out, you’ve either got to join the AI arms race or head off in the opposite direction. You might want to explore options in the world of handmade and analog.
Engage with the artistic community. Connect with other artists, share your work, and invite constructive criticism. Joining online forums, attending workshops, or even forming a small critique group can provide valuable support and feedback. Art is a conversation, and engaging with others can help you grow and refine your skills.
The point about AI is very depressing. Because I am trained as a digital artist, its my skill, and its what I enjoy doing. So heading off and doing analogue work isnt really on the table. And using AI is absolutely toxic to fanbases so you can't really join the 'arms race' anyway. Kind of lost, then.
Finally able to read your article slowly, like chewing on a delicious yet healthy morsel (yes, rare, lol!). I think for me, sticking to painting and, more and more, bringing myself to “like” how I’m approaching each image and letting myself discover “what” I’m liking is my most immediate important step. I did even to keep up with AI; my photography is just to please myself first, then others. I think you often already touch on this in your posts James - liking what one does while striving to still make more so - developing one’s skills to first please one’s heart and eyes. Thanks so much, James! 🙏😊👍❤️