Bastards of Art : Episode 63

Bastards of Art: Too polished for folk art, too punk for fine art.

Episode 63

There is a fine line between a foot in the door and a foot in the ass. Making the leap to self-employment has some hidden obstacles that will arise. Those who are not ready to grow will fail. The number one enemy people face when they go out on their own is themselves.
These five traits will never be mastered and are constantly evolving. You should be prepared to continuously work on yourself and understanding how the following applies to you and your life as an independent artist.

Five Traits You Will Need for Success

Time Management

This might be the most difficult skill to learn. Even if it is foreign to most artists, it can be achieved. This is a skill that is slowly learned and consistently improved. The great news is it starts by simply learning one word: NO. When you can streamline your workflow and cut the fat from your schedule, you will have your first victory in time management.

Understanding Internet Content

We all know Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and whatever app came last week. These are tools of the internet. They are not THE internet. You should be learning how to create content and how to host that content. This could be a blog, online store, YouTube channel or podcast. Then you market your online content with the tools of the internet. The goal is to be free of third-party apps and be able to manage your own content. Then be able to drive traffic your webpage and online stores.

Financial Responsibility

I think the biggest take from this statement is to understand that when you are producing you are an entity. That entity makes money. You will need to fund this entity so it can keep making things to produce. It is only after the entity gets paid and is self-sufficient, that you get to take a draw or paycheck for yourself.
You need to nurture the entity that makes money and only take a draw of a part of that money.
The entity grosses money then it pays its expenses and builds a cash reserve. What the entity nets is what you get to take a draw from. Do not bleed your entity dry.

Patience

This is a big one. You already know not everything is going to go your way. The successful entrepreneur knows how to keep the moving parts moving. This is the biggest secret to managing a business. This is what holds people back. Your job is to make sure everyone has what they need to get their job done. Even if it is not your job, your job is to make sure everyone has what they need to get their job done.
Trust in Yourself

Imposter theory is real. Most artist have been plagued with feeling like a phony. This happens when your self-worth does not meet your current project. It could be hanging your art alongside of really talented artist, or it might happen when you are wanting to express your opinion but you are feeling like your not the person who should be offering advice.
You should fake it until you make it.

-Matt Hodel

Bastardsart · BOA63 Mixdown

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Bastards of Art Host: Matt Hodel

Matt Hodel is the owner of Ragtime Tattoo and Lillian Press in St. Louis Missouri. Working as a self-employed artist since 1995, he left his fine arts degree for a path in the low brow art world. He apprenticed for tattooing in the 90's at Iron Age Studios. From there he has traveled the globe working as an artist.
Today Matt splits his time between St. Louis and the Ozark Mountains. He enjoys Risograph Printing, landscape painting, and digital painting. Matt brings these podcasts to you the listener in hopes to inspire and motivate.

For other projects vist: Matt Hodel Design