This week, it seems the theme of my rampant lectures has been about 'Networking' and its highly crucial role in the professional world of art.

Now, I'm sure many of you have heard about networking before. Certainly, it's nothing new--but I don't think people understand the sheer importance of getting out of your studio/workspace, getting out there, and talking to people.
It also seems a lot of people who already do know the importance of networking and putting themselves out there--perhaps have no idea where to start. I mean, it's a massive world, with billions of people--who do you start with? What do you say?

Well, get comfortable and glue your eyes to your monitor for a little while longer, because I'm going to try and be of some assistance here.

There's one secret in the professional industry--and for some, it might be a little disheartening, but for most--it's a liberating fact.

You ready for it?

You don't have to be an entirely amazing artist to make a comfortable living in the field.

Absolutely not! In fact, you could be the greatest artist on the face of the planet--but the bottom line is, if you don't know anyone, no one's going to know you and chances are, making a living off art is going to be tough for you.

If you are considered a 'mediocre' artist--it's not impossible for you to be receiving so many job offers, you don't know what to do with them. How?
Networking.

Let me give you one of those handy 'true story' examples:

I worked with a lady--who's work was honestly...nothing incredibly special. In fact, it was pretty run of the mill. To me, nothing stood out about it, and skill-wise, it showed solid mediocrity.
The amazing thing about this lady, however--was the people she knew. I'm not kidding you, this woman had dinners with some of the top illustrators and animators in the industry. For fun, in her free time! And the freaking love her.

She's received job offers from all over the world, from big name companies including (but certainly not limited to) Pixar, and many of it's smaller, related studios. It was through this woman that I had the privilege of eating breakfast with one Mr. Dean Yeagle (and his wonderful wife)--and then enjoy dinner with one of the animators who worked on Pixar's 'Up' that very same day. These were people she had gone out of her way to fit into her ring of personal friends. She receives so many offers for work, she's forced to turn down most of them because she simply hasn't the time to accept all the jobs she's offered.
If you'd like, you can check out this astounding lady's blog here: [link] and see that she's not just a fragment of my crazy story-telling imagination.

So, the question becomes, how did she do it? As is the truth with most artists, there are guys out there who could paint circles around her! So why is it that she's the artist these big name professionals all know, love, and refer to?

Well, for starters, she's possibly the most outgoing, amicable, confident artist I've ever met. She wasn't born with these connections. Her family and childhood friends never knew these people. No, she went out and asserted herself to these people on her own volition. She's not afraid to talk to people others might have considered 'too high up' or 'too big'. She demanded their attention, and dammit, she made sure she got it.

Now, we're not all such social butterflies--and I'll be the first to admit, it's hard talking to people revered as 'big names' in the industry. It's hard to find a place to start, and once you do get in touch with them, it's hard maintaining a calm, confident composure and making sure they remember you.
It's hard, but not impossible.
And like anything, the more often you do it, the more comfortable it becomes. The more you start realizing, they're all people who started off the same way you did--and they completely understand where you are coming from.

And still, the question of 'where to start' lingers.
Those of you in some kind of art college, or in a larger urban center--you guys have so many starting points right at your finger tips, it's almost overwhelming.

College students: Your instructors and peers are your biggest asset. Don't do what the majority of students do which is--don't spend weeks in your work space/studio/bedroom alone working day and night trying to produce perfect assignments to receive perfect grades. The crushing truth is that, while perfect grades might look shiny, they don't matter. Spend some of the time you invest feverishly into your assignments--on socializing.
It's crazy, I know. But it's crucial that you get in good touch with your peers, and communicate with your instructors outside of class.
Your instructors should already have an established career in the industry--which means they have their own list of contacts and good people to know. Bug them for it--ask them who are good people to talk to about getting your feet wet in the industry. Pay your due diligence and let it all cascade from there.

City Dwellers: There is an art scene in your city. Where there's enough people to make a city, there's enough artists to create an art scene. It doesn't matter if you are in the conservative red neck capitol of the world, an art scene exists (speaking from Calgary, Alberta, myself). It's up to you to hunt it down and get involved in it. Attend gallery openings, go to art shows, attend comic conventions and hang out in the artist's alley, what ever it takes--just get involved and talk to people at these events. The more you get to know these people, the more they'll introduce you to their people, and again, if you pay due diligence, it will cascade from there. Also, more than likely, there is a company in your city which hires artists. Find out what those companies are--and research them. Talk to the producer, or the artist director--introduce yourself as an artist and ask them about the company.

Now, for those of you who live in rural areas, my biggest suggestion would be to pay a visit every weekend or so to the nearest by urban center and get involved with their art scene. However, I understand that this is not always a possible solution.
To which I counter that dilemma with this marvelous innovation in modern day communicative technology:

The Internet!


The internet is the greatest resource for any artist to have. So use it. Simply by being on here, reading this--clearly, you are doing something. Who are the artists you admire? And why haven't you contacted them? It's ridiculously easy these days to speak with a professional in the industry--if only through email or instant messaging! And I promise you, they won't think you're a creep if you present yourself seriously and professionally in your email. Introduce yourself as an artist trying the get in the door, and ask if they can offer any advice as an established professional--and try to get their list of names of other people who might be good to talk to as well. Have a good back and forth conversation with these people called ' professionals '. The vast majority of them will be flattered that you came to them for this kind of advice (it'll be refreshing from the usual, 'can you teach me your art making techniques so I can be as good as you!?' )--and they'll most likely be thrilled to offer you the advice you ask for.
The worst that can happen with an online conversation--is that they don't get back to you. Which--honestly, is nothing to worry about. So what stops you? :]


In the end, I do believe strongly from my own observations--that being able to Network is more important than being highly skilled in the world of art. Unfortunately, it's not something that's driled very well into the heads of artists looking at getting into the industry. I think there's a large myth that there is a certain prestigious level of skill an artist must display in order to establish a comfortable living making artwork. It's a point of frustration for many--and is simply not true. Learn to speak with people, to present yourself professionally and amicably, and do it often--things will suddenly start to feel a lot more easier. And the crazy ' professional ' world of art will begin to feel a lot more accessible to you.
I hope this article was at least somewhat informative for those of you who took the time to read it.

Happy networking, my peers! :]