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Finding a niche?

How do you find a niche in art? I'm a multi-disciplinary art student at uni and use lots of mediums but am finding it hard to find a direction in starting a career. My tutors encourage finding a niche but I'm interested in so many things and mediums!

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John’s Answer

Hi Juliet,

There is a popular meme out there that you need to spend 10,000 hours to master a craft. That may or may not be true. But I think it's the path to finding your niche. To be an artist, you must make art. No excuses. You must work at your craft like an obsession. Take a look at Picaso's work from when he was 14. Then look at his work later in life. You'll see Picaso was making art well before he found his niche.

How many hours do you work on your craft per day? Are you really being an artist? Or are you just playing around with it? Art like professional sports is no joke. It takes a serious commitment to make a go of it. The good thing about it is, so few "artists" really work at it. So if you put in the time, you will be one of the few that find their niche and make a name for yourself.

Best of luck,

-John

John recommends the following next steps:

Make art every day.
Make more art
Make art
Repeat
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much John, it's super helpful to hear your opinion on this, I've definitely gotten closer to finding a niche but you're right only work, time and practice will develop it! Juliet
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Thank you comment icon Glad it helped! Send me some links to photos of your work! John Husband
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Adam’s Answer

Hey Juliet, I think that is a bit of a putting "the cart before the horse" question. I love what John said at the end for next steps. Make Art every day. Make Art. Make More art. Repeat.

I would add to move toward the art that feels good wen you make it and that people react to. Good or bad. If you are enjoying the process you will make art more, thus engaging what I will now call the "John cycle" . But if you are looking for a niche and making stuff that gets a bland reaction- good or bad- that is not going to help you in your pursuit. I would warn, however, not to put too much credence into the opinions of your professors or your peers
(and certainly not some rando online giving you advice) but listen to your heart. Your inner voice that is never wrong. And Make art everyday!

You got this Juliet!
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Jacqueline’s Answer

hi Juliet, i can understand how you feel! i'm also an artist and the temptations of the many different mediums pull in different directions . Having said that, i think that is also the beauty of art. If you really want to find a niche, pick that that interests you most now and go with it. Also niches can change and shift and art is also about all the inspirations that hit you at certain moments in your life. Sometimes u dabble in this, sometimes you dabble in that - it's all fun and bewildering at the same time. I once consulted my art instructor about how he came to build his career. It wasnt so much about the academic qualification he got in art, it was through his years of practice, self discovery and then mastery where he learnt to solve different problems and eventually found his passion as an artist and instructor. i started documenting my hours and artwork after being inspired by him and to encourage myself on the progress i am making.

so, go for it. remember, a choice now is not a choice forever, but it will be a great first step.! all the best
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Vania’s Answer

Hi Juliet,

I also remember being pushed to have a style or niche when I was studying art in college. I was interested in so many styles and mediums and felt lost being told I had to pick one. I agree with the others' advice to continually create and practice and explore by making art.

Every time you create, you'll learn more about yourself and what your sensibility is. You'll learn what you like, what you don't like, where you feel you can improve and how you like to approach a subject or a problem. Your style or niche may change as you grow but strengthening your sensibility (how you approach your work and your subjects) will be the core of what makes your work YOU.
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