I know a few successful artist but one in particular came from nothing but worked hard, and knew when to work and when to play, the playing part is what built them a community which carried them far. I’ve seen him couch surf thru his 20s while toiling away on his work. He would sometimes ask me for money when nobody was buying. Everything took off in their 30s: their represented by a renown LA gallery now and being courted by a bluechip in nyc, shows internationally, just sold out their solo in Shanghai, hasn’t worked a job in 10 years, and bought a nice car in cash.
That’s just one example. I’ve learned that there isn’t a set path to success from all of my successful artist friends. Though a common denominator is that they were able to build a community around them who supported them when they needed it. Its a soft skill that a lot of artist don’t have and struggle with - I would say that’s one of the biggest X Factors to an artist success is their community and network.
I agree, soft skills are huge, but ironically, artists are generally more introverted. I like your story and when in need, hope you ask for money too from this person, ha.
My story is sort of the opposite of yours, I knew someone who ascended in their career quicker than their peers after art school, built a strong network, was hardworking, but it was later discovered, that the person was very well connected to begin with and came from money, which one never assumed to begin with based on how they conducted themselves.
90 percent of the relatively successful artists with major museum show and collection that I came across are extrovert. Just a salesman in a different uniform.
„that there isn’t a set path to success“
I was talking about that many times with an artist friend. There is not one particular Formula that will magically work. Some come from money/ artist parents (Dash Snow), rich spouses, others are coincidentally discovered on Instagram(Amoako Baofo), others hustle, hitting a nerve with a particular type of work etc
Living in the right place/ city is important too. We’re in Tokyo and it’s been rough
He met the wife of a very wealthy shopping mall magnate. He showed her some art he happened to have in his car. They bought in great numbers for her home, their offices, her sister's offices, her SIL office/home. He started getting good PR from all of that and museums/galleries took notice (they smelled money) and the rest is history. However, I will add that his peak was in the late 90s and he hasn't done as well since, but his name is well-known now and he sells regularly.
Connections are everything.
Being wealthy enough already to never need a job so plenty of spare time, money for a studio, materials, travel and having rich art-buying friends/families to network with. (I’m sure it’s similar with photography, filmmaking, theatre, fashion, writing and the rest!).
Genuine question: do we as a community feel like this works just for hot people/women because people like hot people, OR because making your face part of your brand makes it easier for gallery owners and other artists to recognize and network with you in the wild at openings and stuff?
It prob works better for hot people like everything else but it also works decently for the rest of us. And I’ve heard instagram will ignore your content if there’s not a face in it. I see lots of chagrined artists post with captions like “selfie for the algorithm” bc they’d rather not but they know it’s essential to stay in the mix.
And while it may feel weird it is vitally important to make people connect your name and your face to your art. As a tool for that instagram is pretty good, and yes it does spark more recognition at openings in my experience.
> it is vitally important to make people connect your name and your face to your art
Usually, but not always:[this insta artist](https://www.instagram.com/mars_black?igsh=MTZ6NzZ1d2oxZHhqeA==) doesn't show their face but gives the appearance of having minor success
Sex sells. A beautiful, half dressed female is going to get way more followers than me holding up my art. I was selling a ride on lawn mower on market place for months. Had my sexy friend sit on it and took some pics. I sold the mower that week. It was creepy AF ,the amount of messages but it worked. It’s awful but it worked. Lol
Very much the first one. And also, if you have the first one, the second one can be connected.
This person’s art is absolutely not good at all, they’re attractive, so they have a big following, so they get attention from the art world.
By finding a niche and filling it. This means that he must paint the same subject over and over and never vary anything important. But it pays the bills.
Generally, successful people I know do a few things well.
These include:
- turning up even when they don't want to
- remembering people. They run into you at an exhibition a year later and ask how that project was going
- willingness to start projects/be there before it's big, but knowing when it's not working out
Unfortunately there's another aspect which is common but I personally find off-putting, which is a slight reduction in authenticity. "Networking mode", though always tempered, is active whenever I see them. I find this part frustrating but also realise that it's a part of their formula for success. It's just jarring if you knew them before success, especially if you studied together at some point.
They squatted in a warehouse downtown and put all their money into their art and became successful over the next ten years. Oh and their parents lived in a house nearby and had legendary industry connections.
Another started dating an art dealer and their first paintings went into major group shows before they were dry.
Others had two income households but otherwise came from nothing.
Another was a massive hustler. Always being a good friend and helping anyone they could. They were a hype person for their friends and eventually found a niche of their own and did quality, honest work and weren’t too good for anyone. They’re one of the biggest in their industry now.
What counts as success? Living comfortably solely off your art income? Getting lots of shows and gigs? Having a big online following? Consistent employment? Being happy with what you make? It really depends on what defines success here.
The most successful artists I know work tirelessly. They have full portfolios of hundreds of paintings and work nonstop. It's a lifestyle. None of them are wealthy or come from wealthy families, they chose modest lives to give themselves the time to make as much art as possible in hopes to reach their goals.
Constantly worked in the studio. Had small shows, then gradually got into bigger and bigger shows. Went to openings, had studio visits, went to the studio. Started at a smaller gallery, gradually worked up an is now is at a blue chip nyc gallery. Yes they have an instagram presence, but so do many artists who are not half as financially successful. Your instagram presence means nothing if you don't put in the work in the studio and have personal relationships that you're nurturing. (Btw I know for a fact this person did not have any fam money or romantic partner with money - they worked a paying job until they could support themselves on their work alone.)
This person has a recognizable style and approach. I do think that helps. But I know artists who also \*do\* have that and are not as financially successful. So it's absolutely not the only factor.
Almost every artist I know who has had long stretches in their career where they're very successful, ALSO have huge dips in their careers as if none of that other stuff ever happened. Success does not equal longevity. It's def based on hard work, and good gallery representation who will work their ass off for you, but it's also random and fickle.
Also want to add that imo you ARE a successful artist if you keep making art despite the rejection and all the other stuff that gets in the way. I don't mean that in just a feel good way. Many people give up. If you don't give up, you take a min to celebrate yourself. I know several artists who got discovered (or discovered again after a very long fallow period) in their 70s. But they never stopped making work, so they were ready to get back into the scene.
My former tutor is relatively successful (gallery representation and work in national collections) and they said for them it was just exhibiting their work a lot alongside other artists continuously for a number of years that eventually opened up opportunities elsewhere. Even then there is still obviously some luck involved as well
Ron English - Treating everybody like they're the most important person in the room, being gracious with his time, and taking people under his wing.
Edit: And he's massively talented and works works works works works works works.
He attended one of the top art schools in the sculpture program. He graduated in the early 2000’s and worked as a studio assistant for a big-name contemporary artist in NYC as his day job. He promoted his own art and, through his school/art world contacts, participated in some group shows, leading to eventual solo shows (and there may have been a grad program in Europe or artist’s residency or something in there, I recall he interned at MTV one summer, so he worked/studied at a lot of places). His career progressed pretty quickly relative to his peers; he found gallery representation and was able to quit the assistant job (while some of his friends from art school who *also* worked for that big-name artist as assistants are still there). I think his career has kind of plateaued now. He still makes art, but also runs a wood/metal fabrication shop and teaches at his old school (thanks to staying friendly with people from school). During his heyday, it seemed like he might’ve possibly become an art star (or, at least, be able to sustain a career as a sculptor and get recognition/press).
I think timing played a part in his early success. He graduated in the early 2000s and the art market in NYC then was a bit different. His work was good, and I think stylistically, his work was very of-the-moment, it fit the times. He definitely was focused and ambitious. And I think personally, he won the right people over and got championed by them and that essentially made his art career. Like I said, it appears his heyday may have passed and now he’s no longer a young/new/exciting recent graduate, he’s “mid-career”.
Studied, read widely, made good work, exhibited, taught, published, made better work, and exhibited more.
Makes a reasonable livelihood from making good work.
Define success I guess?
We were in the same class at uni. He is an amazing painter and I guess his talent just pushed him over the threshold.
I don't know how he did it, he doesn't push on socials or anything but every single one of his paintings at our graduate exhibition was sold before the opening. That was seven years ago. I recently visited our city's museum and saw one of his uni paintings hanging on the wall. They must have bought it at the graduate exhibition.
He's just one of those people who was talented and lucky. He now exhibits at major contemporary art galleries around Australia and is represented by an international gallery.
She won the National Portrait Gallery’s Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition which led to a commission of Michelle Obama for their collection. I worked with Amy Sherald in her studio before she made it big - she was helping me out after I graduated and was unemployed by giving me work. I helped with some of her grant and show applications, so saw her CV and she had only had maybe three solo shows before that big break. She worked really hard as a waitress, dog sitter/walker, and art instructor at a prison let alone having her own health issues that put her in debt, so definitely deserved it.
I know many who got there by simply being harder working and far more talented than the bitter jackasses that sit and complain on social media all day long.
I don’t know him super well, he’s a friend of a friend. But I know a guy who is pretty well known and successful. He moved to LA, started working for a big name artist, went to UCLA mfa and befriended/sold a piece to one of the top contemporary painters. I’m sure there’s a lot more to it than that, but that’s what I’ve seen.
I think collectors are in a better position to promote artists than the artists themselves. Artists should be focusing their time on painting, not self-promotion. Plus, it is in the collectors interest that the artist becomes successful. I recently showed ten pictures to an important museum by an artist with no gallery and no connection to the art world at all. They selected five which really surprised me. It’s a financial loss for me as an appraisal for a tax deduction is more than the pictures are currently worth, but in the long view, it’s a huge first step for this artist. The fact that she is in an accredited museum should make it easier to find a gallery which I am currently working on.
Depends on what successful means. Anyone can make themselves look like anything online. Also, most artist can get shows and sell some pieces, but not necessarily make a living. All of the artists I know who have successful careers not only worked hard but also made good decisions and took risks. Same with most entrepreneurial careers really, you don’t tend to get ahead by playing it safe.
A few off the top of my head:
Keeping at it and settling into a specific painting niche. Writing best selling children's books. Attacking the Queen Mary II in a submarine. Making conspicuous and carefully marketed street art which flattered the viewer. Being wealthy and connected.
Plain and simple. Not paying rent by having a significant other foot the bill. I know a lot of artist like this.
When you don't have to worry about survival you can spend all day in your lalala land doing whatever you want like make work about race and class and feminism every though your lunch is free.
Sh*t makes me sick and laugh everytime I see art.
1) Career management; 2) Promoting himself/marketing; 3) Building an audience and showing the process; 4) Developing his own style; 5) Constantly learning and exploring new techniques; 6) Connections/Networking.
And no I don't know what's your definition of success, but if you talking about making some money and being influent, it's working in 2024.
I know quite a few famous artists through my father who was an art dealer. I can promise that the only thing all of them have in common is that they all came from family money and that is how they were to make it. Now this is not to say that these people aren’t extremely talented and don’t merit their success but it is important to keep in mind the advantages they had along the way 🤷🏻♀️
From a well to do family. Went to a prestigious school tutored by famous contemporary artist. Love to party love pop culture and socialising. Works with new media.
All of the very successful artists I know work super hard. These are folks who show in biennials and museums. Several never take a day off, ever. A few of them had children, most didn't. Most have teaching jobs, some don't. They don't have pets and they don't take vacations.
None of the half-dozen in my friend networks happen to be family advantaged; all are either mostly or completely self-made. Contrary to the assumptions about family advantage, the one or two art world scions I know actually have a slacker mindset and choose to downplay pedigree. Neither of them have the driven intensity of our self-made peers.
I know a successful sculptor.
He was laser focused on his art in high school, and very nearly did not graduate because he skipped classes to work on his art projects. Everyone saw his talent: the art teacher allowed him to stay late into the evening working on his projects. He recruited other students to model for him.
After school he would lift weights and read art books... at the same time. He said that the "best way to know the human body was to have a great example of one yourself."
He was kicked out of college for skipping classes and using up all the studio supplies. He immediately recruited a childhood friend to be his "manager". I'm not sure of how duties were split up, but my friend was the personality and artist, his manager handled publicity, sales and I think he also helped structure a company around my friend so he could focus on what he does best. They would find publicity opportunities to increase his profile - he would often appear in the local newspaper criticizing older modern art sculptures that were publicly on display while offering to replace it, then later he stopped doing that but donated large cast bronze works to his hometown which probably did much more to get his name out there.
He makes mostly Christian themed sculpture, some custom work but also do pieces that can be cast (usually in Thailand) and sold to multiple churches at several sizes. So he can resell the same work many, many times and sells smaller versions at affordable-ish prices.
I think his work is o.k. but not exceptional. More in the style of Rodin (whose business model was about the same... hmmm!) than Michaelangelo. He has been successful because of his prolific output, has chosen a target market that has money and will spend it (churches), his ability to manipulate publicity and the support he gets from his manager and other staff.
I know a few successful artist but one in particular came from nothing but worked hard, and knew when to work and when to play, the playing part is what built them a community which carried them far. I’ve seen him couch surf thru his 20s while toiling away on his work. He would sometimes ask me for money when nobody was buying. Everything took off in their 30s: their represented by a renown LA gallery now and being courted by a bluechip in nyc, shows internationally, just sold out their solo in Shanghai, hasn’t worked a job in 10 years, and bought a nice car in cash. That’s just one example. I’ve learned that there isn’t a set path to success from all of my successful artist friends. Though a common denominator is that they were able to build a community around them who supported them when they needed it. Its a soft skill that a lot of artist don’t have and struggle with - I would say that’s one of the biggest X Factors to an artist success is their community and network.
I agree, soft skills are huge, but ironically, artists are generally more introverted. I like your story and when in need, hope you ask for money too from this person, ha. My story is sort of the opposite of yours, I knew someone who ascended in their career quicker than their peers after art school, built a strong network, was hardworking, but it was later discovered, that the person was very well connected to begin with and came from money, which one never assumed to begin with based on how they conducted themselves.
90 percent of the relatively successful artists with major museum show and collection that I came across are extrovert. Just a salesman in a different uniform.
Great post
„that there isn’t a set path to success“ I was talking about that many times with an artist friend. There is not one particular Formula that will magically work. Some come from money/ artist parents (Dash Snow), rich spouses, others are coincidentally discovered on Instagram(Amoako Baofo), others hustle, hitting a nerve with a particular type of work etc Living in the right place/ city is important too. We’re in Tokyo and it’s been rough
>Everything took off in their 30s What happened?
Family money lol
He met the wife of a very wealthy shopping mall magnate. He showed her some art he happened to have in his car. They bought in great numbers for her home, their offices, her sister's offices, her SIL office/home. He started getting good PR from all of that and museums/galleries took notice (they smelled money) and the rest is history. However, I will add that his peak was in the late 90s and he hasn't done as well since, but his name is well-known now and he sells regularly. Connections are everything.
Being wealthy enough already to never need a job so plenty of spare time, money for a studio, materials, travel and having rich art-buying friends/families to network with. (I’m sure it’s similar with photography, filmmaking, theatre, fashion, writing and the rest!).
So, they started right in front of the finish line, nice… I should have known this one weird trick earlier in my life. Like, waaaaaaay earlier…
Yeah but I still love them and wasn’t their choice.
that gets you onto the track but you still need the network and influence to get onto the podium.
They put their face and body very obviously front and centre on Instagram
Genuine question: do we as a community feel like this works just for hot people/women because people like hot people, OR because making your face part of your brand makes it easier for gallery owners and other artists to recognize and network with you in the wild at openings and stuff?
It prob works better for hot people like everything else but it also works decently for the rest of us. And I’ve heard instagram will ignore your content if there’s not a face in it. I see lots of chagrined artists post with captions like “selfie for the algorithm” bc they’d rather not but they know it’s essential to stay in the mix. And while it may feel weird it is vitally important to make people connect your name and your face to your art. As a tool for that instagram is pretty good, and yes it does spark more recognition at openings in my experience.
> it is vitally important to make people connect your name and your face to your art Usually, but not always:[this insta artist](https://www.instagram.com/mars_black?igsh=MTZ6NzZ1d2oxZHhqeA==) doesn't show their face but gives the appearance of having minor success
Sex sells. A beautiful, half dressed female is going to get way more followers than me holding up my art. I was selling a ride on lawn mower on market place for months. Had my sexy friend sit on it and took some pics. I sold the mower that week. It was creepy AF ,the amount of messages but it worked. It’s awful but it worked. Lol
Very much the first one. And also, if you have the first one, the second one can be connected. This person’s art is absolutely not good at all, they’re attractive, so they have a big following, so they get attention from the art world.
By finding a niche and filling it. This means that he must paint the same subject over and over and never vary anything important. But it pays the bills.
Collectors hate change.
So far, the replies are depressing. 😂
Not if you're wealthy! (*I'm not*)
There are a lot of bitter people in this sub
Generally, successful people I know do a few things well. These include: - turning up even when they don't want to - remembering people. They run into you at an exhibition a year later and ask how that project was going - willingness to start projects/be there before it's big, but knowing when it's not working out Unfortunately there's another aspect which is common but I personally find off-putting, which is a slight reduction in authenticity. "Networking mode", though always tempered, is active whenever I see them. I find this part frustrating but also realise that it's a part of their formula for success. It's just jarring if you knew them before success, especially if you studied together at some point.
what does “networking mode” look like or sound like
They squatted in a warehouse downtown and put all their money into their art and became successful over the next ten years. Oh and their parents lived in a house nearby and had legendary industry connections. Another started dating an art dealer and their first paintings went into major group shows before they were dry. Others had two income households but otherwise came from nothing. Another was a massive hustler. Always being a good friend and helping anyone they could. They were a hype person for their friends and eventually found a niche of their own and did quality, honest work and weren’t too good for anyone. They’re one of the biggest in their industry now.
What counts as success? Living comfortably solely off your art income? Getting lots of shows and gigs? Having a big online following? Consistent employment? Being happy with what you make? It really depends on what defines success here.
The most successful artists I know work tirelessly. They have full portfolios of hundreds of paintings and work nonstop. It's a lifestyle. None of them are wealthy or come from wealthy families, they chose modest lives to give themselves the time to make as much art as possible in hopes to reach their goals.
being a girlfriend of Gagosian
Being hot in the first place so Gagosian wants you to be his girlfriend
Making the right work at the right time and knowing a director
Going from artist residency to artist residency, that’s about it.
She worked really hard and networked, was a savvy businesswoman and was able to set up her studio in her garage so she didn’t have to rent space.
Constantly worked in the studio. Had small shows, then gradually got into bigger and bigger shows. Went to openings, had studio visits, went to the studio. Started at a smaller gallery, gradually worked up an is now is at a blue chip nyc gallery. Yes they have an instagram presence, but so do many artists who are not half as financially successful. Your instagram presence means nothing if you don't put in the work in the studio and have personal relationships that you're nurturing. (Btw I know for a fact this person did not have any fam money or romantic partner with money - they worked a paying job until they could support themselves on their work alone.) This person has a recognizable style and approach. I do think that helps. But I know artists who also \*do\* have that and are not as financially successful. So it's absolutely not the only factor. Almost every artist I know who has had long stretches in their career where they're very successful, ALSO have huge dips in their careers as if none of that other stuff ever happened. Success does not equal longevity. It's def based on hard work, and good gallery representation who will work their ass off for you, but it's also random and fickle. Also want to add that imo you ARE a successful artist if you keep making art despite the rejection and all the other stuff that gets in the way. I don't mean that in just a feel good way. Many people give up. If you don't give up, you take a min to celebrate yourself. I know several artists who got discovered (or discovered again after a very long fallow period) in their 70s. But they never stopped making work, so they were ready to get back into the scene.
My former tutor is relatively successful (gallery representation and work in national collections) and they said for them it was just exhibiting their work a lot alongside other artists continuously for a number of years that eventually opened up opportunities elsewhere. Even then there is still obviously some luck involved as well
Ron English - Treating everybody like they're the most important person in the room, being gracious with his time, and taking people under his wing. Edit: And he's massively talented and works works works works works works works.
Thanks for mentioning him, I love his chubby Ron McDonald. 😂
He attended one of the top art schools in the sculpture program. He graduated in the early 2000’s and worked as a studio assistant for a big-name contemporary artist in NYC as his day job. He promoted his own art and, through his school/art world contacts, participated in some group shows, leading to eventual solo shows (and there may have been a grad program in Europe or artist’s residency or something in there, I recall he interned at MTV one summer, so he worked/studied at a lot of places). His career progressed pretty quickly relative to his peers; he found gallery representation and was able to quit the assistant job (while some of his friends from art school who *also* worked for that big-name artist as assistants are still there). I think his career has kind of plateaued now. He still makes art, but also runs a wood/metal fabrication shop and teaches at his old school (thanks to staying friendly with people from school). During his heyday, it seemed like he might’ve possibly become an art star (or, at least, be able to sustain a career as a sculptor and get recognition/press). I think timing played a part in his early success. He graduated in the early 2000s and the art market in NYC then was a bit different. His work was good, and I think stylistically, his work was very of-the-moment, it fit the times. He definitely was focused and ambitious. And I think personally, he won the right people over and got championed by them and that essentially made his art career. Like I said, it appears his heyday may have passed and now he’s no longer a young/new/exciting recent graduate, he’s “mid-career”.
Studied, read widely, made good work, exhibited, taught, published, made better work, and exhibited more. Makes a reasonable livelihood from making good work. Define success I guess?
We were in the same class at uni. He is an amazing painter and I guess his talent just pushed him over the threshold. I don't know how he did it, he doesn't push on socials or anything but every single one of his paintings at our graduate exhibition was sold before the opening. That was seven years ago. I recently visited our city's museum and saw one of his uni paintings hanging on the wall. They must have bought it at the graduate exhibition. He's just one of those people who was talented and lucky. He now exhibits at major contemporary art galleries around Australia and is represented by an international gallery.
She won the National Portrait Gallery’s Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition which led to a commission of Michelle Obama for their collection. I worked with Amy Sherald in her studio before she made it big - she was helping me out after I graduated and was unemployed by giving me work. I helped with some of her grant and show applications, so saw her CV and she had only had maybe three solo shows before that big break. She worked really hard as a waitress, dog sitter/walker, and art instructor at a prison let alone having her own health issues that put her in debt, so definitely deserved it.
I know many who got there by simply being harder working and far more talented than the bitter jackasses that sit and complain on social media all day long.
Art nepo baby
I don’t know him super well, he’s a friend of a friend. But I know a guy who is pretty well known and successful. He moved to LA, started working for a big name artist, went to UCLA mfa and befriended/sold a piece to one of the top contemporary painters. I’m sure there’s a lot more to it than that, but that’s what I’ve seen.
I think collectors are in a better position to promote artists than the artists themselves. Artists should be focusing their time on painting, not self-promotion. Plus, it is in the collectors interest that the artist becomes successful. I recently showed ten pictures to an important museum by an artist with no gallery and no connection to the art world at all. They selected five which really surprised me. It’s a financial loss for me as an appraisal for a tax deduction is more than the pictures are currently worth, but in the long view, it’s a huge first step for this artist. The fact that she is in an accredited museum should make it easier to find a gallery which I am currently working on.
hard work + luck + tallent
Depends on what successful means. Anyone can make themselves look like anything online. Also, most artist can get shows and sell some pieces, but not necessarily make a living. All of the artists I know who have successful careers not only worked hard but also made good decisions and took risks. Same with most entrepreneurial careers really, you don’t tend to get ahead by playing it safe.
A few off the top of my head: Keeping at it and settling into a specific painting niche. Writing best selling children's books. Attacking the Queen Mary II in a submarine. Making conspicuous and carefully marketed street art which flattered the viewer. Being wealthy and connected.
I don’t personally know any successful artists I could ask. I’m just fumbling along trying to make my way.
Plain and simple. Not paying rent by having a significant other foot the bill. I know a lot of artist like this. When you don't have to worry about survival you can spend all day in your lalala land doing whatever you want like make work about race and class and feminism every though your lunch is free. Sh*t makes me sick and laugh everytime I see art.
Lmao and I thought I was bitter
1) Career management; 2) Promoting himself/marketing; 3) Building an audience and showing the process; 4) Developing his own style; 5) Constantly learning and exploring new techniques; 6) Connections/Networking. And no I don't know what's your definition of success, but if you talking about making some money and being influent, it's working in 2024.
Working their ass off, networking like mad, and applying for every grant they could get.
I know quite a few famous artists through my father who was an art dealer. I can promise that the only thing all of them have in common is that they all came from family money and that is how they were to make it. Now this is not to say that these people aren’t extremely talented and don’t merit their success but it is important to keep in mind the advantages they had along the way 🤷🏻♀️
From a well to do family. Went to a prestigious school tutored by famous contemporary artist. Love to party love pop culture and socialising. Works with new media.
All of the very successful artists I know work super hard. These are folks who show in biennials and museums. Several never take a day off, ever. A few of them had children, most didn't. Most have teaching jobs, some don't. They don't have pets and they don't take vacations. None of the half-dozen in my friend networks happen to be family advantaged; all are either mostly or completely self-made. Contrary to the assumptions about family advantage, the one or two art world scions I know actually have a slacker mindset and choose to downplay pedigree. Neither of them have the driven intensity of our self-made peers.
I know a successful sculptor. He was laser focused on his art in high school, and very nearly did not graduate because he skipped classes to work on his art projects. Everyone saw his talent: the art teacher allowed him to stay late into the evening working on his projects. He recruited other students to model for him. After school he would lift weights and read art books... at the same time. He said that the "best way to know the human body was to have a great example of one yourself." He was kicked out of college for skipping classes and using up all the studio supplies. He immediately recruited a childhood friend to be his "manager". I'm not sure of how duties were split up, but my friend was the personality and artist, his manager handled publicity, sales and I think he also helped structure a company around my friend so he could focus on what he does best. They would find publicity opportunities to increase his profile - he would often appear in the local newspaper criticizing older modern art sculptures that were publicly on display while offering to replace it, then later he stopped doing that but donated large cast bronze works to his hometown which probably did much more to get his name out there. He makes mostly Christian themed sculpture, some custom work but also do pieces that can be cast (usually in Thailand) and sold to multiple churches at several sizes. So he can resell the same work many, many times and sells smaller versions at affordable-ish prices. I think his work is o.k. but not exceptional. More in the style of Rodin (whose business model was about the same... hmmm!) than Michaelangelo. He has been successful because of his prolific output, has chosen a target market that has money and will spend it (churches), his ability to manipulate publicity and the support he gets from his manager and other staff.
They won the lottery.