Why is it so hard for artist to have a successful career?

Question

Why is it so hard for artist to have a successful career?

Answer 1

Because art is in the eye of the beholder.  An artist's work has to appeal to others in order to sell. If you mean successful, financially, that is why it isn't easy; however,  I know artists who never sell anything.  They still consider themselves successful.

Answer 2

It takes time to make good art. If you spend a week to make something you have to sell it for enough money to live on.

Most customers will not pay a lot of money for art unless they feel it will become worth more than they paid someday.

Only art that is in some way special will command high prices. That means that only a few artists who become thought of as making "special" art will make enough money to live well as artists.

Many people make art because they enjoy doing it and are happy if they sell the art for as much money as it cost them for the materials to make it. It is possible to support yourself as an artist but it is not an easy profession and most artists have other jobs to pay the bills.

Answer 3

Simple economics.  The supply of art greatly outstrips demand, and in some cases self-produced art is much more acceptable than what one can purchase.

Associated phenomenon: the artist who manages to carve out a brand and to mass-produce is the one more likely to generate a great profit.  Kinkade, Warhol, Mariah Carey, Hollywood, etc. etc.

Answer 4

i think part of it is luck