Looking for help to improve your painting skills? Join my Animal Painting Skool, where I share my entire process and members are seeing incredible results: https://www.skool.com/animal-portrait-painting/about

Dave’s Links

https://www.davidfrederickriley.comhttps://www.instagram.com/davidrileyart/https://www.facebook.com/DavidFrederickRiley/

Summary

In this episode of the Business of Art podcast, host Mark McKenna interviewscontemporary wildlife painter David Frederick Riley. David shares his artistic journey, fromhis early influences and education to his transition from illustration to fine art. Hediscusses the importance of personal development and mindset shifts that propelled himtowards success. David's breakthrough came with his wildlife portraits, leading to aflourishing art career and gallery representation. The conversation highlights thechallenges and triumphs of being a professional artist in today's market. In thisconversation, David Frederick Riley shares his journey as an artist, discussing thechallenges and strategies he employed to navigate the art world. He emphasizes theimportance of mindset, daily routines, and taking responsibility for one's artistic journey.Riley also highlights the balance between production and personal life, and the need tofind a unique approach to art that resonates with both the artist and the audience. In thisconversation, David Frederick Riley and Mark McKenna explore the multifaceted nature ofart, emphasizing the importance of balancing personal expression with market demands.They discuss how art impacts others, the significance of creating with purpose, andprovide valuable advice for aspiring artists. The dialogue also delves into the necessity ofdeveloping technical skills, navigating the art market, and fostering an abundance mindsetto thrive in the creative industry. Ultimately, they highlight the emotional connection thatart fosters between the artist and the audience, and the importance of trusting one'sinstincts in the creative process. In this conversation, David Frederick Riley shares hisinsights on the artistic journey, emphasizing the importance of persistence and the long-term commitment required to succeed in the art world. He discusses the balance betweenpersonal projects and commissioned work, the challenges and opportunities in the printmarket, and the significance of outsourcing tasks to maximize creative output. Riley alsohighlights the mindset needed for artists to thrive, encouraging them to view feedback as alearning opportunity and to embrace the abundance of potential art buyers.

Takeaways

• ​David's early exposure to art shaped his career path.
• ​Transitioning from illustration to fine art was a significant shift for David.
• ​Personal development played a crucial role in David's success.
• ​David emphasizes the importance of mentorship in the art world.
• ​The wildlife portraits marked a turning point in David's career.
• ​Mindset shifts are essential for overcoming the 'starving artist' stereotype.
• ​David's approach to pricing his artwork was informed by market research.
• ​Establishing gallery representation was key to expanding his reach.
• ​David's journey reflects the importance of resilience in the art industry.
• ​Continuous learning and adaptation are vital for artistic growth.
• ​KeywordsDavid Frederick Riley, wildlife painting, art career, personal development, artistic journey,contemporary art, mindset, gallery representation, portrait painting, art market, art,galleries, daily routine, personal responsibility, art production, creativity, art, artisticexpression, aspiring artists, abundance mindset, technical art skills, art advice, art,commissions, art prints, artistic process, motivation, artistic success, creativity, passiveincome

Looking for help to improve your painting skills? Join my Animal Painting Skool, where I share my entire process and members are seeing incredible results: https://www.skool.com/animal-portrait-painting/about