How many of you have peers that can offer you support to develop as an artist?

Recently we discussed a really formative quote:

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” – Jim Rohn

Artists often work in solitude and miss the opportunity for meaningful connections with other artists. Being part of a community of artists can change the game for a practicing artist: all of a sudden you have people who can offer support, accountability and useful feedback about your art.

In any discipline, if we surround ourselves with people who hold us to a high standard, perhaps even higher than we feel ourselves capable of going, we reach further than we ever expect we could. Today, discover 10 strategies to seek out and develop your own community of like-minded creatives.

10 Ways to Develop Connections with Like-Minded Artists

(1) Find a meet-up or start one for artists in your hometown. Meet once a month for a group critique.

(2) Find a FB group that aligns with your creative goals and participate in the group. See what like-minded people you discover in there and develop those connections. I recommend Magically Mixed Art Community and my own group: SoulBrush Sessions.

(3) Sign up for classes at a local art center or community college: see what other art students are there. What are they doing? What do they want for their art?

(4) Read articles and blogs from artists you admire online. Reply to the emails they send, especially when they ask questions. Offer support that will help them: articles, ideas, think: how can I help this person? Develop a genuine connection by showing your honest interest and intention.

(5) Choose instagram and an art hashtag that aligns with your artist medium. Begin doing the related challenges and talking about them. See who else shows up in your feed. Connect. A few hashtags worth checking out are #artistscommunity and #artistsofinstagram.

 

Why hello you lovely Mandala you. I think I know you from somewhere…have we met before? The more I create of these lovelies the more I feel like a channel for art. I start each one without a plan and let each mark determine the next. Each one surprises me after they are inked. Do you always know where your artwork is going? #art #artists #Mandala #artistsofinstagram #arting #drawing #drawingmeditation

A photo posted by Carrie (@artistthink) on Aug 11, 2015 at 11:50pm PDT

(6) Try to connect with one new artist each time you go to an art show/art fair/etc. Ask them questions about their art and see how it helps inform yours. Follow up with an email reminding them of meeting and make an effort to develop the connection.

(7) Offer a local art class that let’s you teach an art based skill you know. See what you learn from teaching others about your art, techniques, and process.

(8) Arrange a google hangout with artist friends to meet up and seek feedback once a month

(9) Make a list of artists you admire. Post images of their artwork all around your creative space. Read their biographies. Watch documentaries about them. Visit their art in museums online and offline. Immerse yourself in their world. What information do you learn? How can you apply it to your art?

(10) Create a closed FB group for you and your art friends. Agree to group expectations for critique. Post artwork in the space to get feedback asynchronously. Create accountability by sharing your artwork and your anticipated deadline. Ask your friends to hold you to it.

You are the sum of the five people you spend the most time around. Who are they for your creativity? Is it time to raise the bar?

“Dear Artist: Discover 10 Ways to Raise Your Creative Bar” (Click to Tweet)

BE COURAGEOUSLY CREATIVE: I’ve created a special space for artists seeking to raise that bar. If you want to be part of a community that lifts you up, celebrates your artist growth, learning and success, that will offer feedback on your art and hold you accountable to your creative dreams. It’s called The Circle. You can learn more about it here.

Original Article here.