“ Hi Mark, a question?”

“We've been friends awhile now and you’ve seen my work and my hustle. My question is would I be considered an up and coming artist or should I start looking at myself in a more professional light and drop some of my humorous antics?”

I think you are a talented Artist and you need to see yourself as a Professional Artist, not as an up and coming Artist because the story you will tell yourself will be so different.

If you see yourself as a Professional Artist you are going to approach your work very differently.

You will turn up and work, no excuses.

You need then to consider who are your target market is and how do you reach them, because these are the strangers who are going to make your career successful.

Getting your work in front of these people will become your priority.

Once you know who your target market is not only do you need to get your work in front of them but in some ways you will need to become like them so they will except you into their circle.

People like us, like people like us.

This will require change and self discipline.

You can be outrageous but you must consider your target market and even with your outrageous looks and cloths, they must like you because if they like you they will like your Art.

You are a professional, so good manners, a great smile and your being able to hold a conversation with these people is a must and be friendly to everyone, these are all skills you can learn.

Drop anything in you life, like bad habits, that can stop you from achieving your dreams, if it's not helpful you do not need it.

Look forward ten years and imagine the Professional Artist that you want to be and start working on yourself to become that.

It will be hard work and will cost you some people you know and you will be criticised by some but the rewards for going after your goal with all your determination will far outweigh any loss now.

Never look back.