Author Offers Advice on Handling Artistic Challenges

The following article appeared in The Nashville City Paper
on February 22, 2005


by Ron Wynn

Author Paul Dorrell has experienced both the highs of success and lows of failure combining two careers as an art dealer and novelist. His new book Living The Artist's Life: A Guide to Growing, Persevering and Succeeding in the Art World (Hillstead) is a survival primer that, while predominantly covering the universe of art galleries, paintings and sculpture, also contains plenty of valuable information that aspiring writers, musicians, actors, and filmmakers could utilize. Dorrell, who signs copies of his book today at Borders West End, said that the ultimate lesson he's learned was that passion, rather than money, must be the driving force in your life.

"As someone who has received more than 177 rejection notices over the past 25 years, yet has still had several novels published, I've discovered that if you aren't driven by passion you will never make it as an artist," Dorrell said. "But you also can't base success on a monetary foundation. I've discovered that eventually you will achieve a certain point financially, but that can't be how you define success, because otherwise you'll probably be unhappy. Only a handful of people in any field ever become wealthy just as a result of what they do, but many can be successful and have very fulfilled lives. What I've done here is outline the ways that you can improve in terms of some basic things."

Dorrell covers everything from deciding where you should live and if graduate school is necessary to the correct way to craft a promotional package, how to evaluate choices of industry shows and even establishing relationships with other dealers. He also includes a chapter on the psychological problems inherent in the lifestyle, spotlighting such issues as depression, inspiration and whether pursuing an arts career represents a viable option. His later chapters get more specific to art dealers and/or artists, covering things like commissions, pursuing gallery space, contractors, museums and critical response. Dorrell also examines the Internet's impact on artists, calling it something that can be extremely helpful if properly used, but warns that personal relationships are still the most important thing in building a career.

"Anyone can adopt the arts as a hobby or dabble in it part-time, but you must have drive and be able to persevere and handle rejection if you plan to make it your life," Dorrell concluded "Parents that try to talk their children out of being artists or musicians often only make them more determined to try it. If someone not only has talent, but they have the kind of determination that won't let anyone tell them no, the lessons in this book can help them get started and avoid making mistakes in choices or judgment. But beyond that, it's up to the individual."

A Guide to Growing, Persevering, and Succeeding in the Art World