The barriers to being part of the art world are gone. It’s never been easier to directly reach supporters for your art than now…and it’s only becoming easier! Introducing the rise of the Tik Tok Artist! This next generation of artists is changing how we consume and support art. And while these artists carve their own lane in the art world, some would consider them the black sheep of the industry.
It’s time to redefine “success” as a Tik Tok Artist and decide if it’s the path you want to go with your art.
TikTok Artists Are Trending in the Art World
Art galleries and museums are often seen as the gatekeepers to being an artist. But can you truly be a successful artist if your art isn’t exhibited in these established venues? Based on the latest industry trends, Tik Tok artists have found a way to establish their own credibility to lead to success previously unattainable to the leisure artist.
TikTok Artists are content creators of Tik Tok (and Instagram) who use their art to grow a following. This new wave of artists has found ways to bring value, not only to the finished product but leveraging their creative process to build loyal fanbases. A quick scroll through the popular hashtag #tiktokart (which receives 15.7 billion views) showcases the wide range of creative content by these artists—time lapse drawing videos, work-in-progress, remixing famous artworks, art tips, syncing paintings to trending songs, showing off their workspace, and more!
Social media has helped bring the artist and their creative processes to the forefront of engagement. Those who have achieved large followings have mastered the art (no pun intended) of connecting with their audience.
Defining Success as a Tik Tok Artist
While gallery exhibitions and sales often define the success of the traditional artist, Tik Tok Artists rely on different metrics for their success. These artists cover a range of leisure artists who post for fun and artists intent on making it a full-time career—and, if lucky, achieve widespread recognition for their work. We’ll focus on the latter.
The Louvre Museum is the most visited in the world, with approximately 7.5 million visitors annually. That’s a lot of eyes on the world’s most famous artworks. However, consider top Tik Tok Artists like @devonrodriguezart, whose subway drawings of random people can reach 10+ million views in less than one week, or @auditydraws, whose cartoon drawings have amassed nearly 14 million followers. And the best part is that art lovers can enjoy their creations right from home.
Growing a big following is only one side of the coin for Tik Tok Artists. Large following and views can make a Tik Tok artist feel famous, but it doesn’t always translate into earning a living with your art. Successful Tik Tok artists find new ways to monetize their audience and create a sustainable business so they can continue making art. The most common ways these artists make money are by selling prints/merchandise, brand partnerships, art courses, and commissions. It doesn’t take millions of followers to make a living with your art—but it sure helps!
Debunking Myths of Tik Tok Artists
Do you think Van Gogh would’ve shared a “making of” video of him painting “Starry Night?” Or how about a time-lapse of Michelangelo transforming a slab of marble into the iconic “David” statue? Or better yet, Grant Wood posting blooper reels of the models posing for his “American Gothic” painting.
While we can only fantasize about seeing how the most famous works in history were made, Tik Tok artists are providing that glimpse into today’s contemporary art.
There is a lot of criticism over being an artist on Tik Tok:
It saturates art consumption
Bedroom artists don’t get respect in the industry
It’s only for amateur artists
They don’t make real art
It’s more for entertainment than for serious artists
Nobody buys their work
Why pay when you can consume their art for free
It’s a trend that will eventually fade
These reasons and more is why they’re considered the black sheep of the industry. However, it’s a perspective only by people stuck in traditional ideals of art. As with everything, industries evolve, and Tik Tok artists have a place in the art world.
Bryan’s Thoughts: A New Community of Art for the Next Generation
Future art collectors look to new mediums to find works. Instead of relying on galleries and museums to show them trending artists, they can simply look to social media to see the latest. Collectors who value relationships with artists have a direct connection with each other and are immediately part of an artist’s community via followers and comment sections. As for value, we’ve seen new-age artists catapult into stardom, such as Beeple, whose NFT art sold for more than $69.3 million–and also uses Tik Tok. And if you need even more convincing that social media is credible for artists, remember that even Banksy has an Instagram.
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