Fighting the paranoia urge

June 30, 1:45 AMAtlanta Artist ExaminerDarla Dixon

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      JDurham/Morguefile.com

"I'm not paranoid, everybody's just out to get me."

Competition can be a good thing. It can motivate you to succeed. I know I would look at other artists' websites and think they were getting "tons" of business.

Well, most of them are not getting "tons" of clients. But don't worry, they think everyone else is getting tons of clients too!

This is when the competition turns ugly. Artists get a little paranoid about sharing any information with other artists, afraid they are going to 'steal' their knowledge and use it to get ahead. I'm pretty sure some artists feel this way, because I have felt a little afraid to share sometimes myself. Why is it that we can find plenty of websites to show you how to draw, but very few that talk about the business of art? You got it, artists are afraid to share their "special" secrets.

It's feels like a valid point that if you have found out something yourself the hard way, why share it with someone else? Why shouldn't you keep it all close to your chest? After all, you rationalize to yourself and others, "I'm just trying to make a living!"

Nope. Just share. Nothing you think is so special is really "new."  You might as well get the good vibes of helping someone else. Of course, I mean people who only mean well. If someone is stealing text or images off your site, that's gone outside ethical boundaries. So don't help them.  However don't let a few jerks keep you from helping people who are honest and come to you asking for advice.  When that emerging artist's business grows, they're probably going to refer some clients your way.

Most artists lean toward a specialty of some type. For example, some portrait artists are great at dog portraits, and some of them are great at drawing houses. Some would love to draw a motorcycle, but just the thought of trying to draw a motorcycle causes some anxiety for you, then why not refer the client to the other artist?

1: The potential client is happy and will always remember you, because you cared about his needs before your own monetary gain.

2: The other artist will remember you for your thoughtfulness, and believe me, it will come back to bless you a hundred times over.

I would like to thank artists Kevin Candon, Lee Hammond, Noli Novak, Lisa Wald Guarino, Randy Bieniek, Bob Schmidt, and others who have shared their time, advice, and referrals with me. Some when I was just starting out, and others I've gotten to know along the way.