Image via Complex Original
Our How To Make It series continues this month with the ever-exciting and growing genre of street art. In our 25 Biggest Art Moments of 2012, we noted that street art continues to go mainstream through spreading online, various festivals worldwide, and paradigms shifting towards realizing the medium's power to influence positivity and social uplift.
We asked 10 street artists, two who are duos, to give us a "rule for success" in this challenging profession. As is the case with any creative career, there isn't one way to "make it," but there are pieces of advice to help guide the way. It's worth realizing that all of these artists transcend street art as a genre and work within it in various ways. Many also practice other mediums, show work in galleries, and paint indoors, as well. Their advice reflects their years of experience in street art, despite all of them practicing it in their own way.
Enjoy How To Make It: 10 Rules for Success From Street Artists, a selection of ideas and explanations that are applicable to any aspiring creative in any field.
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Kid Zoom
Kid Zoom
Rule: Don't be a street artist.
"Theres that great quote floating around the web attributed to Robert Downey Jr., 'Listen, smile, agree, and then do whatever the fuck you were gonna do anyway.'
Be an artist. Artists have always been working on the streets and in public, but 'street art' is a relatively new term. Before that, it was called Art Intervention, Guerrilla Art, Detournement, Graffiti, Vandalism, Protest Art, etc. I'd argue that most of the great street artists dont really consider what they do street art exactly; or if they do, they see it as only a component of what they do as an artist (or activist).
I feel like that about my work; I paint with aerosol, I hijack advertising space, and I paint walls. But I also make video/film works, photography-based works, and large installation exhibitions. Each project/body of work/exhibition is something I'm passionate about making, which can mean being out all night hijacking advertising space or spending months re-building my childhood home for an exhibition.
So In the wise words of Downey Jr., do whatever the fuck you were going to do anyway. Make the work you want to make, and if that work happens to be on the street, great."
Photos of work by Nicole Reed
How and Nosm
How & Nosm
Rule: Endlessly explore ways to express yourself.
"In our early years as (graffiti) writers, we were searching for ways to coin the style of our work. Now it's more about refining and experimenting with our work, being able to translate it in an honest way, and having fun doing what we want to do (and not what others expect). Your creativity and work should evolve with a fearless approach. We are realistic about our goals but also aren't intimidated by big ideas. Having the discipline and motivation to keep working is important. We've managed to stay on course and don't allow distractions to get in our way."
Website / @hownosm
How & Nosm's "Late Confessions" exhibition opens at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery pop-up exhibition space on 557 W 23rd Street in New York City and will be on view from February 1 to February 23, 2013. Inquiries can be directed at naheed@simjeetextor.com.
Meggs
Meggs
Rule: The journey is the reward.
"I have this tattooed on my chest as a reminder to never stop moving! The experiences of process are as important as their end results. Most inspiration and progression for an artist comes through the process and the act of making work. Travelling is equally important to me. Taking my art to new people, places, and having new experiences is key to my growth as both an artist and a person."
Eric Haze
Eric Haze
Rule: Dedicate yourself to excellence in everything you create, no matter how big or small the objective.
"Ultimately, it's up to you to figure out what your greatest talents and passions are, and then develop and apply the skills that will allow you to shine in your chosen field. We may all be built with completely different tools and mindsets, or different ideas of what we may consider success, but going the extra distance to achieve the best possible result at any (or no) price is a universal language on the road greatness.
*Rule #2: Earn respect first, money second...it rarely works out the other way around."
Rone
Rone
Rule: Feed your fans.
"Many of us paint on the street so our work can be see by more people, but you should never stop there. 1000x more people will see your work online.
Think about how many artists' work you know and love, but you've never seen their work in person. The web can be a great way for people to find your work, but then you have to find a way for them to keep coming back to you.
Just because someone loves your work doesn't mean they are going to follow everything you do. You have to let them know what you are up to, either by social media or a mailing list. It may take years to build a good base of followers, but each time you meet someone who likes your work or sell someone an artwork, you should keep in contact with them in some form. It might be someone you met five years ago for a second that has followed you and all of a sudden needs a huge wall painted or wants you to exhibit in their new gallery."
Anthony Lister
Anthony Lister
Rule: Try to break the rules as often as possible.
"I've always had most fun in places I shouldn't be. The taxi driver just asked me what I do for work, and I said that I work on spreading the message. Imagination is our only weapon in the war on "reality." Reality is a boundary. Time is a slave tool. Take the tool to the job, not the job to the tool. You're only as good as your last production and as smart as your last decision. Work smarter, not harder. The best pen is the one you are using."
Photos of work by Ian Cox
Poesia
Poesia
Rule: Just do it!
"I know, I know; I apologize for the Nike reference, but really, this is the best motto to create under. Make sure you take action over anything else. It will obviously secure either failure or success. Each of these scenarios are part of being an artist, and failure can be just as important as success sometimes."
Jasper Wong
Jasper Wong
Rule: Don't be shy.
"Throughout the duration of your life, everyone from your priest to that dirty old homeless dude that slangs Boys II Men CDs on the corner of Chinatown is going to tell you that the key to success is "work hard." That's all well and true. Most definitely work your buttocks off and let your milkshakes bring the boys to the yard. At the end of the day, you can be the most talented guy around, but if all you're doing is sitting at home and stewing in your own filth with your right hand and a sock as your only friend then no one is going to know who the hell you are. Unless you're Henry Darger and your landlord discovers your art after you kick the bucket. You'll be dead and famous, and he'll be the only one making a mint selling your drawings of naked girls rocking baby dicks. My rule: Go out. Make friends. Make awesome shit with your friends and become even more awesome."
Dabs Myla
Dabs Myla
Rule: Get up as much as possible.
"It's a strange thing to succeed at street art really; it depends on how you look at it! As a graffiti writer or street artist, to succeed would be to get up as much as possible...and get it up with style! It can be seen as a more mainstream idea of success, but work hard and always keep pushing yourself; improve your style and be open minded. Also, look outside the street culture for new influences. Let it take over your life, but remember it doesn't rule your life!"
Website
Photo of Dabs Myla by Jeremiah Garcia
Will Barras
Will Barras
Rule: Evolve.
"I dont know if I am a successful street artist; I do OK, but you know, I could do better...The advice I would give is to try not to get stuck repeating one character or style over and over again; try to evolve, even if it's a very slow change, like the hour hand on a clock. This is for life-create your own universe and learn to paint and draw as well as you can. Somehow try to find places where you really feel like making work, because it's not always easy to start. When you're trying to make the best work, it's not always enjoyable, and you have to work hard sometimes. Working in different places under different conditions can make interesting new things happen (being inside, outside, time restrictions, collaborations, medium, music, booze, etc.) This won't necessarily make you successful, but you might make some good work and some good friends."