Mark E Shellshear.

As Artists we need to live life with energy and passion. We need to work hard but just hard work is not the answer, we must be focused on what we are doing, having our goals in place. Art goals, personal goals all written out so we know exactly where we are going. Making each day, each hour count towards the vision for our life. We must always look lively, enjoying what we are doing and doing it to the fullness of our ability. Most of all we need to be the best Artist and the best person that we can possibly be, that is the ultimate goal, all else pales compared to that. This Artist life is not a competition with anyone at all, there is enough success for everyone who is prepared to work hard and be the best they can be. That is what we are all striving for, that is the great goal of life. At the end of your life you can look back and say with pride, that I worked hard on my Art and hard on myself, so I could be the best Artist that I could be and that I was the b...

There is no shame in being a passionate Artist. Of course there are many Artists out there who will try and calm you down, throw cold water on your dreams and try to tell you to be realistic and don't rock the boat, don't be so out there. Why are they saying that? Because they are not passionate and because if you are, then you are different, you are scary. We need passionate Artists who believe 100% in themselves, not just their Art but in themselves and who are prepared to talk about their art shamelessly. To speak out about their paintings, talk to strangers about their work, especially when others say don't promote yourself so much. Why not? If you do not promote yourself, no one else will and always remember, every opportunity lost, is an opportunity lost, yes lost, lost, lost. Be passionate, people will always gravitate to passionate, enthusiastic people, they walk away from the boring and every day. Be a passionate Artist. Be passionate abo...

Painting an original painting is an amazing process when you consider what goes into it. A painting comes out of all the life experience that an Artist has. It goes into their person and is filtered through the imagination, emotions and intellect and comes out a beautiful, original painting captured at a certain moment in time in the Artists life, which is in its own way a commentary on the life experience of that Artist. So as Artists we need to get better at absorbing what is happening around us, taking in all the emotions and the things we see, because we absorb to give out and bring joy into the life of others. The Artist has the unique ability to respond to their particular environment and produce a wonderful work of Art, reflecting the things of their life, then capturing those emotions in their Art works. Then the Artist gives of this unique gift to those around them in the form of an Art work, sharing not just the wonderful painting or sculpture but a small pi...

Then we need to get known within the Art market we live in. How can you sell paintings to people if they do not know you? If you are out selling your paintings, whether it is busking on the pavement, being in a daily market stall or showing in Art Fairs or a Gallery, consistency is the key. If you want to be known by your public then you must always turn up. If people do not know you, they cannot buy from you. If you are like MacDonald’s and you are always where you say you will be and offer a good value product, then you will build up a following. Consistency is the key to being known. People recognize that you are always there, familiarity builds a conversation and as they get to know you and like you and your product, they then become buyers. Takes time yes, but it will pay off. You offer a wonderful hand made one of a kind painting, that you lovingly made yourself and you are now allowing them to buy this very scarce commodity from you at a reasonable price,...

Borrow from the past, to invest that experience into the future. We all have regrets, that's part of being human but we cannot change the past it is done and we need to forward. If you use the past as a club to beat yourself up with, then you will get no value out of the past and not be able to move on with your life. There is always something to learn, even if its only what not to do next time. Knowing what you did wrong in the past is not enough, you must apply that knowledge to your life. Wishing that it never happened, will not change the past, forgiving yourself and moving on will. Hoping it will never happen again is not enough, we must change our life and make sure it does not happen again. Learn well so you do not pass that way again. It is never to late to take the value from past experience and invest it into your life. Look back for experience and forward for inspiration.

Because to be getting ready for success, you must believe that success is coming to you. So many Artists dream of great success but when you ask them, how are they preparing for success they look at you as if you are crazy. If it was as easy as painting beautiful paintings and doing wonderful drawings then the majority of Artists would be great successes but it is more than just great skill and talent. The real question should be, “ What are you doing to make yourself ready for success?” Imagine you are a great success and you are moving in the circles of the rich collectors, what are you going to have to change about yourself to fit into that circle? If you say no need, I will just be myself, then that is a recipe for disaster. They way you are now may be fine around your Artist friends and your family, but if you want to sell to the wealthy and be wealthy then you are going to have to change. Just being yourself will not fit in with your new crowd. If you say th...

What a wonderful way to approach your Art career and life in general. We all being watched by someone all the time, so we need to always be doing the best we can do and being the best we can be. Out there young Artists, new Artists are watching what older Artists are doing and trying to emulate them, to be like them. That is why some people copy, it is out of desire to be like that Artists in the hope that some of the “Fairy Du st” will fall on them as well. It is not good but it is one reason why people do it. Be an inspiration to those around you. Beware of the enemies of being an inspiring Artist, Complaining. Criticism. Selfishness. Jealousy. Don't complain, be someone who encourages and sees the best in each situation. Complainers are always looking to find fault like it is buried treasure. Don't criticise, be the Artist who finds something good to say always and be helper not a critic. There are enough critics, we need people who can inspire us. Don't be selfish,...