So you've been painting for a while now, day by day increasing your 'brush miles', increasing your knowledge of your materials, colour, composition, your confidence has grown and you feel ready to take the next step...
So, now what?
Well, firstly I suggest that you join a local art society. All suburbs and towns in all countries have them.
In Sydney, you can get in contact with the Combined Art Societies (combinedartsocieties.com)who will be able to put you in touch with your local art society.
Before joining, I would advise that you go along to your local art society's monthly meeting and see if the society is a 'right fit' for you (all societies allow guests to visit their meetings for a nominal fee), as you don't have to just join your own suburbs' art society but can join others near you in your area.
If you are young, be warned that a lot of the membership of most art societies are retirees but don't let that put you off, there are opportunities there and there is a wealth of knowledge there for you to draw from.
By joining an art society (which is relatively cheap around $50-70/year) you are allowed to exhibit your work in their art exhibitions (some have quaterly exhibitions, others twice annually or annually), which when you are starting out is a good investment as the art society pays for the hiring of the space for the exhibition, the opening night party and all the advertising as well as covers the public liability insurance.
All members are asked to volunteer with things like helping set up the exhibition, helping on the sales desk etc. and its a good idea to volunteer as you may learn about how an exhibition is curated (what paintings are chosen to be hung and with what), the general running of an exhibition and its a great way to make new friends.
Many art societies offer cash prizes for the best in each category. Usually these categories are oil painting, watercolour painting, drawing and printing but these can change depending on the art society so check with them first.
In January of each year, the Combined Art Societies hold an exhibition at Darling Harbour in Sydney with great prizes and if you are a member of one of their societies you are eligible to enter.
Other benefits of joining an art society is that you can ask for constructive criticism of you work. Its helpful to have like minded individuals, who understand the problem solving issues that face you with an artwork, critique your work. Many art societies have critique nights where you can take along your paintings.
Art Societies also have group painting sessions, plein air(outdoors) painting groups and sponsor teachers to run workshops for their groups. Most will have an artist as guest speaker at their monthly meetings where they demonstrate their particular artistic proclivity.
So step 1 in becoming a professional artist is to join an art society and exhibit first with them. Next time I'll talk about Step 2 in becoming a professional artist, 'Preparing for a Solo Exhibition', the mundane and the creative aspects.
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