Since my last post, I’ve been working hard to put together the most simplified, helpful, and practical artist advice I can for my readers in 2012. I believe you can start your “resolutions” at any time of year (not just New Years), so why not start now?

This is the first in a series of 10 weekly posts that will present different ways to positively improve as an artist. This will include artistic, educational, and career-minded advice. I hope you enjoy, and would love to hear how these suggestions are working for you.

WEEK 1: Contact Artists you Admire

Many people will tell you that networking is important. It is, of course! Is it easy to walk up to a stranger at an art opening to introduce yourself? Not really. (Not for me, anyway). But this isn’t the only way to start a dialogue with someone. Now that most artists have their own websites, it’s usually quite easy to contact them either through email or by commenting on their blog or website.

Several good things could come from contacting artists you admire. You could ask them questions about their process, career, or experiences and learn about how they work or how they’ve succeeded. You could even just write them a note saying you admire their work. Who knows, maybe they will ask you about yours? Either way, starting up a dialogue with other artists (especially those who you admire) is an excellent way to develop your own artistic practice.

Project for the week: Send out messages to 5 artists you admire. Ask them questions, comment on their work, and of course be polite and respectful. See where it leads!

Photo by Margarit Ralev,  Margarit.Ralev.Com