How Do You Know When You’re an Artist? with James Holmes (#88)

At what point do you get to call yourself an artist? What do you
need to have achieved in order to earn that title? It's not an easy
question to answer, and too many of my clients think they need to
be working as a full-time artist before they can officially assume
the title. Until that point, they are teachers, marketing agents,
engineers, and doctors. However, there is no magic point when
someone else is officially going to bestow the title of artist upon
you.  

To help you determine what makes you an official artist, I’m
joined today by abstract painter James Holmes. James is sharing
three criteria that he created before he could call himself an
artist, and he makes it clear that owning the title isn’t quite
as complicated as it may seem. 


Highlights


 


The horseback riding accident that set James on the artist
path. (3:41)



 


Connections in the art world encouraged James to continue
making art. (10:51)



 


The day job that doubles as James’s other passion. (12:10)



When is the right time to start professionalizing your art
and calling yourself an artist?  (14:31)



James’ initial response to being called an artist. (22:16)



Three criteria that James created before he would call
himself an artist. (26:32)



How to be true to and satisfied with the work you make, even
amidst criticism. (28:25)



The moment that James’s art was acknowledged by an
established artist. (35:20)



Selling a piece to someone who doesn’t know you beyond your
art. (39:10)



A look at the work that is keeping James busy now. (42:20)



 


 


 


 


Mentioned


Denver Art Museum 

Cherokee Ranch & Castle 

Tony Ortega

Lorenzo Chavez 

Angel Espino 



 


Resources


Full show notes including photos and listener comments

MagneticYouArtist.com

Art Career Success System

Art Biz Success Community

Intro and outro music by Wildermiss



 


Quotes


“I had to figure out what being an artist means. When do I
think I’ve achieved that?” — James Holmes

“It was a lesson that was well learned. It turned out to take
me to another level of my creativity.” — James Holmes

“That night it all manifested because I believed in the art
enough to exhibit it.” — James Holmes







About My Guest


James Holmes is a Denver-based visual artist. As an abstract
painter James shared, "I paint from the inside out. I believe
painting from the inside out allows me to outwardly communicate
my inner life. Everything I internalize, the experiences I have,
the people in my life, my hopes, dreams, and faith are all
reflected from heart, mind, and soul through the prism of my
intuitive lenses resulting in artistic expressions utilizing a
variety of media." James maintains a studio in Denver’s Golden
Triangle arts district, and exhibits at the Veterans Arts Council
Gallery, Centura Health Healing Gallery, and other venues. James
is a Trustee of the Denver Art Museum and Executive Director of
the Cherokee Ranch & Castle Foundation.


First posted: artbizsuccess.com/artist-mindset-holmes-podcast


Let’s do this together: https://artbizsuccess.com/community


Music by https://wildermiss.com