Maria Brophy

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How to Become a Famous Artist and Leave a Legacy

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“At the age of six I wanted to be a cook. At seven I wanted to be Napoleon. And my ambition has been growing steadily ever since.”   Famous Artist, Salvador Dali

Many of the artists that I consult with ask me “How do I become well-known for my art?”  They don’t want to use the word “famous” but that’s what they are asking.

Some people yearn for fame, and I suppose it’s natural to want that, because if you’re famous, it means that people like what you’re doing.  Creative folks crave being liked; it gives their work meaning somehow.

Being famous also means that the money will follow.  And making money from your art means that you can create more and quit that other job that you don’t like.

Deep down inside, though, what most creative people really want is to leave a legacy with their art.   They want recognition for their artwork.   They want to know that what they are doing is meaningful in some way.

Becoming famous for your artwork can take a lifetime.  Think of all the artists that have left behind a legacy; it took them a lifetime to do it!

But you have the time, because time is going to pass anyway.  If you dream of being remembered for your creative work, read on:

HOW TO BECOME A FAMOUS ARTIST AND CREATE A LEGACY IN 6 STEPS:

1 – CONSISTENTLY PRODUCE A LARGE BODY OF ART WORK OVER TIME:

I know an artist who painted five paintings, inspired from a trip to South America.  He exhibited those five paintings for years, traveling the U.S. and showing them and selling prints of them.  While the art itself was nice, it wasn’t enough to create an impact.

Picasso, Da Vinci, Warhol, and other artists who are well known have created large bodies of work, consistently.

Through the process, their talent deepened and their techniques improved.

Consistency and quantity = quality.

2 – DEVELOP A CONSISTENT NICHE, STYLE, LOOK OR MEDIUM:

Develop your own, distinct style so that everyone would know that it’s yours, even if your name wasn’t on it.

When you see a Picasso painting, you know its Picasso’s.  When you see a Picasso knock-off, you know it was copied from a Picasso painting.

A distinct style becomes your own, and over time, people come to know it as yours.

(My husband Drew Brophy is the most imitated surf artist in history; but when people see one of his “copied” pieces, they know it’s a Brophy knock-off because his style is so distinct.)

If you have trouble creating a distinct style, then become known for a distinct niche (such as “the artist of horses,” etc.)

Or, your medium could be unique.  An artist named Tedos in Santa Barbara, California, creates surfboards using carved leather techniques that are so unique, he’s the only person in the world doing it.

When you have a distinct style, medium, technique, or niche, you eventually become known for it, and you become the go-to artist for people who looking for it.

(For instruction on how to find your niche, read:  BECOME WELL KNOWN AND RECOGNIZED; HOW TO FIND YOUR NICHE)

3 – TELL YOUR OWN UNIQUE STORY (CONSISTENTLY):

It’s up to you to tell people what you want them to remember about you, your story and uniqueness.  If you don’t tell people what you want them to know, they will make up their own stories about you.

Decide what your story is, then tell it!

Your story should be told consistently, online in your biography, about page, and across all social media and written/printed platforms.

Every person has a unique story.   It could be your life journey, overcoming a difficult past or an illness (or learning to live with one), your unique lifestyle, or what you do for fun.   Tell your audience what you want them to know!

Salvador Dali told his story.  He was a master manipulator of the media, painting himself as an eccentric.  Once, he delivered a lecture wearing a wetsuit, for no apparent reason!  It had people talking about him, and they said the things he wanted them to say.

4 – INVEST IN PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS OF YOUR WORK AND YOURSELF: 

Invest in having professional photos taken of you and your art, regularly.

For the short term, post the photos online, on your website and social media sites.

For the long term, professional photos are important for future documentation that will be used in art history books, coffee table books and historical exhibits.  (If you are planning to leave a legacy, this is something you need!)

Invest in photography sessions that capture you working in your craft.  Also, get a few good head-shots (that can be used for media, online, etc.).

When the media wants to feature you in a story, you’ll be ready with excellent photos.

We hire photographers four to five times a year to shoot Drew and me working, traveling, or in the studio.  The photos come in handy for many different uses.

5 – SHARE YOUR WORK ONLINE: 

Make it easy for people to share your work online.  Post quality photos of your work.

For copyright protection, and to claim the art as your own, include your copyright notice or signature on each photo (but don’t place your copyright notice in the center of the image; that’s annoying and people won’t share it).

6 – INSPIRE OTHERS: 

This is the most impactful of all:  Be generous with your knowledge.  Don’t be afraid to share some of your secrets.  This is what makes you memorable, and it leaves a legacy.

Help other artists, allow them to use your art as inspiration, and applaud them when they do.  This will come back to you ten-fold.

You will become known as the artist who inspired many others after you.  There’s no greater way to create a legacy than to influence others with your art.

“A true artist is not one who is inspired, but one who inspires others.”  Salvador Dali 

Please, share in the comments; do you have a yearning to leave a legacy, to become well known for what you do?

And if so, why?

I’d love to hear from you!

Thanks, Maria xxoo

 

PS:  If you need help creating your own niche or style, please consider letting me help!  Visit my Consulting Page and let’s set up a time to talk.

 

 

 

 

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77 Comments How to Become a Famous Artist and Leave a Legacy

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  2. Suzanne Anderson

    Maria,
    Thank you for giving me the guidance and fortitude to see what I am capable of this past year. You are truly a talented, insightful and master of art and business. 2018 was very scary and challenging, but I made it through because of you! Happy New Year!

    Reply
  3. Lisa Bryant

    I want to leave a legacy because I enjoy just “taking in” art. Pieces that just reach deep within; feel moved by the piece of art! I’d would like for persons to see a painting, photo, hear a song that I sing or play etc and for that piece touch them!!

    Reply
  4. Nash Cox

    When I read this I thought “Famous? No” “Legacy? Mmmm, no. That’s just not me.” But after thinking about it I realize the truth is I do seek fame on a certain level, and to leave a legacy. So why is that? I think it’s because I get tired of people looking at my art, being blown away by it, and then blowing me off as some sort of fake because they haven’t heard of me before. It’s basically branding. People will buy Nike shoes not because they’re good shoes, but because they’re familiar with the name. So yes, a recognizable name (call it fame if you like) is necessary to a successful Art career. I love the look of name recognition on a person’s face when I introduced myself.

    Reply
  5. Brenda I Salamone

    Every day I ask myself what is it that I truly want, and it is consistently to be an internationally renowned and collected artist. I’m in a show right now that is getting thousands of visitors a week, and 90% of them stop at my booth and exclaim over my work. I want that euphoria, that feeling that my work moves people, that they can’t look away from it, and especially that they can’t WALK away from it without making it their own.

    Reply
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  7. Joan Marie

    You ALWAYS give the BEST advice!! We are all SO LUCKY to have you to turn to!! Yes, my goal has always been to feel my art has lifted someone’s spirit. The greatest joy is to share and give of ourselves to others through our passions! (: Great blog!…as always! XO!!!!

    Reply
  8. Liz Church

    Hi Maria, this blog, which I first saw in your newsletter, really resonated with me. I feel like I’ve been building up to this place in my life where I’m ready to fly with my art and begin building my legacy. I’ve just committed myself to producing a piece of work every week (with planning over the prior 2-4 weeks). It may not be as much as full time artists but I’m working full time so 12 hours painting a week is the most I can currently do. My aim is to swing the balance to more painting and less ‘9-5’ work over the next three years. Your book and newsletters are a huge support. Thank you!

    Reply
    1. Maria Brophy

      Liz, thank you so much for this comment and for your kind words. I’m so glad that my book and emailers are helping you move towards your dreams. You’re doing a great job, keep taking inspired action and it will all come together for you!

      Reply
  9. Yvonne Póo

    Hi Maria, thank you for the advice. The thing is if your husband would not have such a supportive partner probably he could not do the art and all the job you do to promote his career by himself. Making art takes time and handling all the hundreds of things we artists have to do to be seen and to be understood and to reach an audience, takes not only tons of effort and energy but knowledge we do not have. Educating ourselves about marketing, social media, writing, and all the weird jumps we have to perform to approach galleries steals all the time to get really good technically and creatively at our crafts. To me I have no choice because I am going to be an artist no matter what. I will create until I exit this world simply because that is what I should be doing with my existence. The world can come around or not and the public can buy my art or not, I am not going to do a meaningless activity for the rest of my life behind a desk, only to eat and survive. I rather live during my time on earth than survive. Would be nice to live in a world where people support artists instead of criminals.

    Reply
  10. Jason Holladay

    Thank you for this blog post. I’m in the pursuit of creating a video channel on YouTube called “The Artist in You & Me.” It’s a way to connect with others as I draw with them and then provide them with a finished work of art. This has recently been challenging for me because as I started this project, COVID hit, and so this had to be put on hold. Now I am excited to get started on this project again.

    Reply

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