Words to ACT on: Over 40, Not Over the Hill
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When
someone describes you as a "mature artist, it usually means your
advanced age. Whether being "mature" is good or bad for you in this
case, depends mostly on the other person's attitudes about older
people. And on how young that person is or feels.
Mature artists
come from many walks of life. Many are retirees in a second or third
career. They now have the time to pursue what was once an interest.
Others may have interrupted showing and selling their art for a period
of time for family, health or economic reasons.
When someone
describes your artwork as "mature," it is usually a positive comment.
In this case, experience is a plus. Your work shows refinement of
technique and expressive development in subject matter.
You get
more than grey hair as you age. Mature artists can use both their age
and experience to advantage instead of buying into prevailing
attitudes. After all, they are part of the generation with the money to
either buy art or pursue it as a second career, either as an artist or
as a dealer. And they have accumulated a lifetime of skills and
connections that simply take time to get and to get good at.
The
extra years also qualify you for the "mature artist" category of grants
and places in educational programs. Recently three mature artists each
won a grant of $100K from the Bush Foundation. Not bad money for a few
gray hairs. For artists of later years who want to further their
education, many arts programs welcome mature artists, seeing them as a
positive addition to the student body.
And put away your pride
to take advantage of senior discounts. If you find it hard to admit
your age, console yourself with the extra money in your bank account.
Mature
artists who have been able to support themselves continuously have
adapted to the many changes in the way art is shown and sold. If you
want to add more strategies for sales, join A.C.T. Art Business Mentor,
Margaret Danielak for a lively discussion in "It's Not Your Mother's Art World: Sales Strategies for the Mature Artist".
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Aletta de Wal, M. Ed, Director & Artist
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Direct line: (650) 917-1225 Pacific time
www.ArtistCareerTraining.com
The
highest compliment we ever receive is when you refer another artist to
the A.C.T. community. We are honored to share our work and resources
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Artist
Career Training is here to give you knowledge and support. We gather
all the information you need to market your art and build your art
career so that you can make money and get back to doing what you love -
making more art.
"We help you build a better living from your Art."
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