Young artists often ask me why it’s so hard to get an art career going nowadays. Everything is so competitive. It seems like everyone is an artist!
That’s a fair question. But it got me reflecting on something my dad used to talk about, the Flywheel Effect.
Why Art Careers Feel Slow At First
There’s a phenomenon often called the “flywheel effect,” one I’ve seen play out in many areas of life, including business, sports, writing, and of course, the art world.
What Is the Flywheel Effect?
Imagine a massive iron wheel that’s incredibly hard to move at first. You push and push, and it barely turns.
But each push adds a little momentum and eventually something shifts! The wheel begins turning with far less effort.
That’s when each push starts producing bigger results.
How the Flywheel Applies to an Art Career
Your art career works much the same way.
For you quietly build. Learning your craft, developing a voice, creating cohesive bodies of work, building a brand, exhibiting, sharing, and networking.
It can feel like nothing is happening. But every painting, every step adds momentum.
It may feel more competitive today, and in many ways it is. But there are also way more opportunities.
We have incredible tools now, online platforms, social media, and direct access to audiences all over the world! That did not exist not that long ago.
So, the challenge isn’t a lack of opportunity. It’s staying focused!
Why Focus Matters
At one point, I found myself building momentum in two different directions. I had my art career and my social media career.
I loved both. In fact, I was an early adopter of social media and was named one of the Top 100 Women on Twitter in its early days.
But then I realized something important.
You cannot effectively push two flywheels at once.
My wise mom used to say, “If you scatter your fire, you won’t hit the mark.”
Over time, I have found this to be true. So, I chose to focus on my art. And that decision made all the difference.
When the Flywheel Begins to Turn
Over time, something begins to change.
- Your work becomes recognizable
- Your name comes up more easily.
- Opportunities begin to appear more naturally.
Not because of one big moment, but because of years of steady effort, pushing.
This cycle can describe a single painting, but over time, it is also how an entire art career is built.
That’s the flywheel starting to spin!
