Surviving as an Artist

This weekend Art News Blog had an interesting post on Reality Check - Being An Artist. They talk about "Sylvia White's article called "5 Facts Artists Have To Face To Succeed In Business". She calls it her cold water splash in the face for artists."

Here's the 5 points White discusses in her article:

1. You will not get "discovered."


2. You will not find a gallery that "understands your work" and feels as passionately about it as you do.


3. No matter how original you think your work is, it has been done before.


4. Just because your work looks just like Jackson Pollock, (or, fill in the blank) doesn't mean it's as good, or that you can price it the same.


5. You will not be able to make a living off the sale of your work.

Seems like a pretty harsh list, luckily Art News Blog also had a bit more optimistic (and funny) Do or Die List for Artists, including:

• Learn to like noodles from packets as you probably won't have much spare cash to buy real food for at least a few years.


• Have at least a couple artist friends so that you're not always the only weird creative person in the room.


• Learn about business, marketing, taxes, media, and start your own website.


• Being an artist is a privilege. Don't feel sorry for yourself or other artists that are "struggling".. feel sorry for people working in jobs that they hate.

What would you add to these lists? Do you think artists need a reality check?