Now we’ve hit the first full working week of 2017 it’s time to refresh your plan and goals for this year. Below Art Prize Consultant Caitlin Smyth has put her top Artist Resolutions to help inspire your 2017 push!
 
1. I’ll do it tomorrow: What is the saying, don’t do tomorrow what can be started day? Spend a bit of time pulling together a list of opportunities, their deadlines and their submission requirements that you can track and possibly enter this year. Even if you don’t enter it’s helpful to see who and what gets submitted and of course who the winners are to help support your knowledge of the industry. You can do the same kind of thing with art fairs and exhibitions if you’re feeling very organised! 

2. Lose the art speak: Anyone else sick of fundamentally juxtaposed, yet simultaneously obvious ideas permeating work yet? Nope I’ve got no idea what you’re getting at either! Lose the overly complex language and elongated sentences this year. The simpler the text the larger the number of people that can relate to it and the more likely they are to engage with your work. Simple language suggests confidence in your ideas. The same goes with the structure of your writing, focus on one idea at a time, you don’t need to come up with 100 reasons to justify making your art, commit some time to working out that one resounding theme at least a couple of times a year. 

3. Look at old work: It may make you cringe but it can also be very affirming to how far you have come and help you assess how your practice; the work itself and the ideas behind pieces, has evolved. Knowing where you have been can help you understand where you are going. 

4. Power in your Peers: It’s time we understood the power of peers. Connect through platforms, support each other, offer feedback, go to artist run events and exhibitions. The more people you know the more chance you have of making valuable connections that will in turn support your own development. 

5. Don’t Work for Free: Now this doesn’t mean only work for money but there has to be a real benefit to you that may come in the form of exposure, connections, payment etc etc. Set your own acceptable parameters based on what you want to achieve this year – if you want to make money focus on paid opportunities, want to widen your network, maybe look at open calls etc. And don’t be afraid to say no if it isn’t right! Keep the connection and down the line it may be useful. 

6. If you don’t ask, well then, you don’t get: Despite how much you want to pretend you had nothing to do with being unsuccessful at getting that group show or being selected for that residency, I’ve got news for you, you do have a degree of control – over your own actions. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, follow up, ask for feedback, ask questions and connect on a human level with the people you want to gain something from. Relationships can take time to build but all it takes is one person to remember you to result in a potential opportunity. 

7. Small fish, big pond: However, following from the above, try not to over analyse if people don’t get back to you straight away. It’s easy to start slamming this Director or that Consultant because they missed you email or follow up call but people are busy! Back it off until a more appropriate moment and don’t burn any bridges by acting the diva, it will get you nowhere! Keep them in the back of your mind. 

8. Trash Talk is Exactly That: Put your work out there and encourage feedback but also put on that thicker skin and let anything that isn’t constructive wash off. Chances are someone who comments that they’re 20-year-old, one eyed Labrador could have made that was never interested in what you’re doing in the first place, and never will be. Don’t let it waste your time but instead think about how you can make your work even more accessible by explaining it in a different way. 

9. Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery: Well, it’s not if you’re an artist Oscar! Plagiarism is a real thing but what are you going to do – hide your art in a box and let no one see it just in case? We think not. In a modern age which is increasingly globalised there are going to be artists working in a similar manner to you, equally if you put it out there someone may take ‘inspiration’ too far, but I always find that an idea plagiarised shows through immediately as lacking authenticity and in depth understanding, of course, you don’t have to take my word for it, but you could take it and get your work out there anyway. Be confident in your work and that it is the most authentic out there.   

10. Go and be part of it: It’s easy to get stuck in your art world but don’t ever think that what happens in the auction houses or is exhibited at big art fairs won’t permeate different levels of the industry, go and see, pay attention, look, understand and be a part of the industry you throw yourself into. 

Follow Caitlin Smyth on:
T: @caitlin_smyth
I: @_caitlinsmyth

Can you briefly describe your work? 
I am a painter and printmaker. 

What attracted you to the Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize?
The opportunity to exhibit in London.

How did you find the entry process? 
I found it very easy. It was one of the most supportive competitions I have entered. 

What advice would you give on the submission process? 
Take your time. Answer honestly and from your heart! I found answering the questions thought provoking as it made me deeply question why I make the type of art that I do.

How has your career progressed since entering the Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize? 
I am still painting and printmaking, but I have been focusing more on my painting. I have been exhibiting locally in Sheffield and in the Peak District where my last exhibition was held at the Chatsworth Estate during their Art Out Loud event.

Last year I was selected to take part in the National Open Art Exhibition at the Royal College of Art and I also won the Harley Gallery's Harley Foundation Prize. This year I was selected for the ‘Small Print International’ exhibition which is touring this year and next, and I was recently awarded third prize in a Poetry into Art competition which was part of the publication of a book called Millstone Grit.

I am presently working on a project called Analysis of the Woods with fellow artist Kay Aitch. This is a year-long project where we use our local ancient woods as a studio to see how they inform our work on an emotional and physical level.

What is the best advice you have for emerging artists? 
Be true to yourself and create work that comes from within you, or that truly resonates with you.

Is there anything you would like to add about the Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize?
It was such a rewarding experience. I especially enjoyed the opportunity to write about my work as the piece that I entered was a very deep personal piece for me. I had been grappling with the relationship that I have with my disabled child and yearned to express it visually, so being Highly Commended was very emotionally fulfilling. 

You can find out more about Sarah Sharpe’s online at www.sarahsharpe-art.co.uk 

Can you briefly describe your work? 
I photograph beautiful abandoned spaces all around the world with a symmetrical painterly view and present them as framed artworks.

What attracted you to the Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize?
I was keen to get my work seen by a new audience and had been successful in other competitions, so thought I’d try my luck!

What advice would you give on the submission process? 
Be a great editor. Don’t necessarily upload several pieces of work because they fit together, think of each piece of work as a single entry. Also, try to detach yourself from it and think about why you are entering in the first place, that will help to guide your choices.

How has your career progressed since entering the Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize? 
I have been published in House & Garden, Aesthetica Magazine and the British Journal of Photography. I've been chosen as a contestant in the Sky Arts Master of Photography show, I won second prize in the Lacey Contemporary Summer Arts Prize and won first prize in the Secret Art Prize. I've also shown my work at the Moniker Art Fair and at the Other Art Fair twice.

My proudest moment was when my work was exhibited at Photo London by Eleven Gallery. I also had a show in Paris and I will be exhibiting at FotoFever in Paris next week.

Did the Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize help your career as an artist? If yes, how so?
It helped me reach a new audience who had not seen my work before.

What is the best advice you have for emerging artists?
Don’t be shy to market yourself and if you are, hire someone to do it for you! Support other artists. Don’t say yes to every opportunity as it may end up costing you more than it’s worth, and be a great editor of your work. 

Also, meet as many people as possible. Go to art fairs and private viewings as you never know who you might meet, and always carry business cards!

You can view Gina's work on her website: www.ginasoden.co.uk

Can you briefly describe your work?
I am predominantly a painter but I also use poetry, performance and installation work as part of my practice. The paintings are executed on silk using ink and acrylic.
 
What attracted you to the Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize?
I looked at the caliber of the judges and decided that this was a competition worth entering. I was also impressed by the series of lectures that were facilitated by the prize.
 
What advice would you give on the submission process?
Submit more than one piece of work and make sure that your work is well photographed.
 
How did the Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize benefit you?
It helps with exposure. I exhibited in Canary Wharf and was then approached by Gray MCA after I was shortlisted and have subsequently been exhibiting with him.
 
How has your career progressed since entering the Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize?
I have been exhibiting regularly with Gray MCA and I have undertaken other projects. I had a solo show at the Yahudi Menuhin Concert Hall in November and I will be exhibiting at the London Art Fair and Palm Beach Art Fair early next year.
 
What is the best advice you have for emerging artists?
Keep on going!
 
Is there anything you would like to add about the Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize?
It is a good art prize with a high caliber of judges. The inclusion of the talks and feedback is designed to help artists.
 
Find out more about Bob's work online at www.bobaldous.com

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If you're an emerging artist who would like to enter the Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize 2017, you can find full details about the prize, information on upcoming events and interviews with our judging panel on our website: www.artprize.co.uk