Carlos Eduardo Medeiros
To many, monetization often seems to be the toughest aspect of being an artist. Lucia Bueso, a Guatemalan artist renowned for her abstract paintings, has been through all the hurdles of success and has felt the pain and insecurities many young artists feel in the early stages of their careers. For Lucia the biggest challenge is the emotional vulnerability that comes with selling something so personal. In her own words: “Art is an extension of who we are, and putting a price on it can feel uncomfortable. In the beginning, I didn’t even know how to talk about my art, let alone sell it” In order to overcome these difficulties she stresses that consistency and belief in your vision are key.
Attaining Visibility
Another challenge is visibility—Lucia says: “getting your work in front of the right people without feeling like you are constantly promoting yourself it’s a difficult task.” In a world where constant self-promotion is almost obligatory, Lucia strived to find a delicate balance between staying true to her creative voice while learning how to market herself in a way that feels authentic. In the early stages of her career, she used Instagram to slowly build a community around her work and then started applying to local exhibitions, gradually progressing to bigger opportunities internationally. Her path showcases an important fact that’s usually overlooked by many; that art is a long-term journey.
Consistency sounds cliché but it was Lucia’s ticket to building a career. She adds: “understanding that this is a long-term journey not an overnight success changed everything. I applied for exhibitions, showed up for opportunities, and invested time in nurturing relationships—those small consistent actions add up over time.”
Social Media and Networking
Lucia highlights the importance of social media as a tool to make connections and showcase your work. “Instagram has been huge for me. It’s how I’ve connected with collectors, galleries, and other artists. It’s also where I share my process and who I am, not just the final pieces—which I think has helped people relate to my work on a deeper level.” She urges young artists to show their faces and to connect with people by showing the story behind all that they do.
People connect with genuine authenticity and networking is essential, Lucia stresses that there was not much of a strategy for her in the beginning and the only thing she could do was to be present: “It did not start with a strategy. I built relationships by showing up, following other artists, attending openings, talking to gallerists and just knocking doors, some open and some don’t and that is fine.” In other words, you make your own opportunities appear.
The ‘Artist Vs. The Entrepreneur
In Lucia’s point of view the biggest misconception is that if an artist is talented success will come. The truth is, especially in today’s market landscape, that an artist is an entrepreneur. With the internet and especially social media it became incredibly more attainable to become an independent artist, though not always glamorous, the opportunities are there for the taken. Lucia adds: “Aspiring artists should understand that making art and selling art are two very different things—and both require effort and intention.” Lucia also highlights that she had to learn all the basics of running a business such as: shipping, pricing and writing contracts- Things no art school will teach you.
Yes, managing your time, budget, marketing, logistics while staying creative is no easy feat but it is the obstacle to achieve the dream; to quote by the great roman emperor Marcus Aurelius “the obstacle is the way.” Getting out of your comfort zone is difficult but seeing as to how much we mention it in this article seems to be a very important point of separation between artists like Lucia and those who are still not there yet.
Career and Dreams
When asking Lucia what the biggest turning point in her career was, she said: “Deciding to treat my art like a career and not just a passion project.” Which is so interesting, changing perspective on how you see yourself and your work can have such a powerful impact, many say that the first step is the hardest and most of us can relate to that statement. It is quite impressive to see that a talented and well-established artist such as Lucia Bueso will have so many relatable challenges and her success is a testament that talent does not stand alone showing that there is so much that goes into building a career out of your passion.
Lucia finished our interview with a couple of kind works for young aspiring artists: “Don’t be afraid to take up space. Trust your voice, even if it feels shaky. The world doesn’t need perfect art—it needs honest, real expressions. Keep creating, even when no one is watching.” Which is a perfect example of her approach to art: calming, profound and truly inspiring.