Can You Afford Not to Get Business Guidance as an Artist?

For many artists, the idea of seeking help from a professional for the business side of their studio practice can feel like a distant luxury—something to pursue when sales improve or the timing feels “right.” But here’s the truth: the art and jewelry world aren’t waiting for you to catch up. Whether you’re a painter, sculptor, writer, or photographer, creative talent alone doesn’t guarantee success. In today’s highly competitive market, business guidance is no longer optional—it’s essential.

There’s an old adage: You have to spend money to make money. It dates back to 150 BC, and not much has changed in over 2,000 years. This moment—wherever you are in your career—is likely one of those crossroads where the question of investment vs. survival is staring you down. And yes, this applies whether or not you choose to call your art a business. Only a small percentage—1–2%—of creatives actually earn a livable income in a studio-based field.

Think about your own studio or gallery space. You begin with a blank room, then start investing: tools, materials, shelving, and tech. Whether it’s a 10x10 room or a 10,000-square-foot gallery, the principle is the same—you must invest to build.


The Artist’s Reality Today
Being an artist today is both more possible and more complex than ever. We’re living in a time of profound global uncertainty. From recessions to pandemics, economic upheaval is amplifying what has always been a difficult path.

Take a look at the case study on the Serious Play website about how Patina Gallery navigated 25 years of unexpected crises. The lesson? Waiting for things to stabilize is not a plan. You must find the resources—beg, borrow, save, reallocate—to engage someone who can help you survive and adapt.

I know many artists will say, I can’t afford help. My answer? Find a way. And find a way as soon as possible, sooner rather than later. Every day you wait, the problem compounds. And without meaningful support, many of you will face a harsh truth: you’ll have to set your tools down for much easier ways to support yourself.

Yes, there are classes, books, and videos that can help. But none can replace the value of a solution-driven, personal conversation that considers your unique story, challenges, and strengths.

If you have a day job, keep it. If you receive support from your community or country, count that as a blessing. But don’t let it lull you into complacency. There are still creative and inventive ways to engage collectors and clients—but you’ll need to dig deep to reinvent how you show up in the world.


Competing in a New World
Thanks to the internet, artists can now reach global audiences without gallery representation. But that freedom brings pressure: branding, pricing, managing social media, telling your story, staying inspired—and all while still making the work.

You’re still in competition with every other artist online, in your city, or across the globe. And it will be the most prepared and professionally guided artists who thrive.

Most art schools don’t teach business. Some actively avoid the subject. Many self-taught artists end up stuck in a cycle of trial and error, unsure how to turn their vision into sustainable income. Living paycheck to paycheck isn’t romantic. You didn’t become an artist to burn out. You became one to bring something meaningful into the world.

Isolation has always been the artist’s Catch-22. So if you don’t have a supportive community, consider investing in one. Time is money, they say—and it is. Would spending under $1,000 now give you clarity and structure that could carry you through the next few years? It would.

Being frozen in fear is far more costly—in lost peace of mind, missed opportunities, and the emotional toll of inaction. Art history is full of success stories—but for every artist who made it, there are thousands who stopped. And no, talent alone is not enough. If you are not planning to be the best in the world, it would be more practical to try something else.


The High Cost of “Going It Alone”
Without guidance, you’re likely to make the same mistakes others have: saying yes to everything and burning out. Posting nonstop on Instagram with no strategy. Spending on fairs or exhibitions that don’t align with your audience. Making decisions from a place of fear, chaos, or desperation.

Most successful gallery owners don’t have MBAs. But they do have advisors—people who help them make informed decisions and stay financially healthy. Without a strategic roadmap, you may miss critical opportunities: grants, press, representation, and commissions. Over time, the cost of these missed chances adds up—not just financially, but emotionally. Doubt sets in. Confidence shakes. What once brought joy starts to feel like a burden.



Amedeo Modigliani, Nude, 1917.



What the Right Guidance Can Do
Now imagine having a skilled guide in your corner—someone who understands both the creative path and the business landscape. A mentor, consultant, or coach who helps you set real goals, find your audience, price your work, and clarify your voice.

If it weren’t for accountants, career advisors, marketing specialists, and a circle of trusted professionals, I wouldn’t have lasted five decades in this field. Business guidance isn’t about turning your work into a product. It’s about learning how to communicate your value, tell your story, and create a structure where your creativity can thrive.

And remember: you don’t need just any guidance. You need the right person—someone with experience, insight, and a deep understanding of the artist’s journey. Just as you wouldn’t trust any surgeon with your heart, you shouldn’t trust your career to just anyone with a business card.


Can You Afford Not To?
Think about all the time and energy you’ve spent trying to figure things out on your own. Now imagine what could happen if that energy were focused, supported, and directed toward your growth. The longer you wait, the more you risk delaying the success you’ve worked so hard for.

Guidance is an investment—but so is every hour you spend in the studio. Wouldn’t it make sense to invest in the systems that help your creativity become sustainable?

Success never happens in isolation. Behind every thriving artist is a web of support—mentors, teachers, peers, and consultants. During the COVID crisis—the hardest moment in my business life—it was the guidance of my colleague Ivy that helped us keep the gallery that I co-founded alive. Without her strategic insight, we might’ve closed our doors.

Sometimes success hinges on a single person showing up with the right tools at the right time. And sometimes, that person is the guide you finally allow in.


Where to Begin
Start by asking yourself: What support do I need most right now?

• Do I need help clarifying my story?
• Structuring my pricing?
• Connecting more meaningfully with collectors?
• Creating a sustainable workflow?

Once you know, seek out the right person—whether it’s a consultant like Serious Play, a coach, a mentorship circle, or an artist residency.

What matters most is that you begin. Don’t wait an hour more. And again, your goal is to be the best in the world. There’s likely someone in your own neighborhood who’s already figured out what you’re still struggling with.



Ansel Adams with Camera, 1950, Yosemite Field School Yearbook.



In Conclusion
Your art is your calling. Your studio is calling or your gallery is calling. Turning it into a sustainable career takes more than talent. A top-of-the-line camera won’t create a masterpiece unless it’s in the hands of someone who knows how to use it. Put that same camera in the hands of Ansel Adams—and the results speak for themselves. There are no shortcuts either. Most overnight success stories are created by paying your dues, one step at a time.

So the next time you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward, ask yourself: Can I really afford not to ask for help?

Because the difference between thriving and fading away may come down to the help you allow yourself to receive. Behind every prominent maker and artist there is one person, sometimes more, keeping them on point, usually with a right brain.


© Ivan Barnett 2025, All rights reserved.

 

About the author

Ivan Barnett
As co-founder and creative director of Patina Gallery, Ivan played a pivotal role in elevating artists’ careers and shaping the gallery’s international reputation. His expertise in gallery management, marketing, and exhibition planning allows him to support creatives in crafting sustainable careers. Through one-on-one coaching and curatorial support, he encourages artists to refine their narratives, embrace risk, and find deeper creative meaning.
Raised in a family of artists, Ivan was influenced by his father, Isa Barnett, a celebrated painter. After studying at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, he pursued a career in painting, metalwork, sculpture, and mixed media. In 2023, he launched Serious Play, integrating mentorship with innovative business strategies to help artists refine their messaging and expand their careers.
Unlike most consultancies, Ivan’s empathetic and intuitive approach fosters creative dot connecting, collaboration and profound storytelling, proving that art is not just something we create—it’s something we are. Learning the art of playing seriously can transform and propel our lives toward new heights.

Serious Play, based in Santa Fe, NM, is a creative consultancy founded by Ivan Barnett, an artist, curator, and mentor with over five decades of experience in the art world. Ivan helps artists, galleries, and arts organizations navigate the complexities of creative careers by blending artistic exploration with strategic business acumen.
Serious Play’s purpose is to mentor artists and art organizations to tell more of their untold stories.

creativemornings.com/individuals/ivanbarnett
seriousplaysf@gmail.com