Can You Have a Successful Art Business and Still Maintain Your Voice?

As artists, I have a feeling we all struggle with this question of whether it’s possible to have a successful art business while still staying true to your voice and your artistic style. I know for me personally it’s something I think about a lot. And while I won’t say I have all of the answers, I’ve definitely put a lot of mental work into this concept so felt like it would be helpful to share what’s working for me so far! 

Can You Have a Successful Art Business and Still Maintain Your Voice? 

If you’ve been following me for a while, you probably know that I love black and white. It’s been my signature style for as long as I can remember. And so many of my murals for years were in this style. It’s what I’ve been known for for a pretty long time now! 

But the thing is, when people think of murals or art, they usually think of color. When I would paint a black and white mural I would get asked ALLL the time “What color is it going to be?” 

Annoying yes, should I change my style because of a few silly comments, no. What I have always leaned into is evolving. From painting on globes to wedding invites, to murals – My art and myself have constantly grown. So as I keep learning and growing there has been some color added into this evolution.

I really love the collaboration part of the process with my clients, but sometimes when the design requests include color, I have a little internal struggle. 

Am I a cop-out for adding color and not honoring my artistic voice? 

At the end of the day, I run an art business, and there are bills to pay. But dang, it can be hard when the imposter syndrome creeps in at that moment. I’m constantly asking myself how I can continue to grow as an artist without ruining the brand that I’ve built that’s based on my style.  

Here’s What’s Working for Me Right Now 

While I don’t necessarily have all the answers figured out, here’s how I’m handling it in my business right now: 

I’m saying yes (to color), and figuring it out from there.

I have used this motto throughout my career as an artist. Right now, it’s about color, but this concept can be applied to any situation you might be experiencing as an artist. 

Maintaining your artistic voice while still building a successful art business is hard! 

But, what’s been working for me so far is saying yes to client requests when I know they’re right for me, and then learning how it all fits together into my brand and business along the way.

I’m leaning into this season of growing.

As I learn new skills like working with color, I’m trusting myself that even though it’s a departure from my original style, I’ll be able to hone this new skill and work it into a style that still represents my voice as an artist.  

I’m trusting that no matter what, the right people will find my business and love my art. 

I’ve always told myself this, but it’s an especially good reminder when I find myself struggling to balance growing as an artist and maintaining my successful brand. When you create what you love, your art and your business are a representation of you, and you will attract the people who are right for you. So even if your style is evolving to meet the needs of your business, as long as you still love what you’re creating, it will work. 

Tips & Mentorship

So if you’re still asking if it’s possible to have a successful art business while maintaining your voice as an artist, my answer is YES! Even when you feel like you might be “selling out.” It just takes some mental work to remain confident as your style evolves to meet the needs of your business. 

As a mural artist, I’ve found it to be almost necessary to evolve over time in order to stay on top of my game. It’s healthy for us to maintain a competitive drive while still supporting one another as artists. 

Where it gets tricky though is quieting the fears in your head (for me at least!). I often worry about whether I’ll be able to top my best years or not. If you struggle with this too, take my dad’s advice: don’t worry about your work being better, just focus on it being new. 

And if you’d ever like someone to talk to, please reach out to me! I believe that having a mentor is so important in growing your art business. It’s what has helped me, so I love returning the favor! 

For mentorship