S2E1 - How to Identify Your Niche, Pursue it, and Amplify it Properly to the Public

Don Maitz is an artist and illustrator who has earned the Hugo Award for Best Professional artist, two times, as well as the World Fantasy Award. A fun fact about Maitz, is that he created the original Captain Morgan Bottle label for Joseph Seagram. Don Maitz Joins Erin Sparler this week, sharing his background and educating the public with helpful tips and tricks to both motivate and encourage artists much like himself. 

 

Matiz encountered his battles with finding his niche and pursuing it. As many artists encounter, Maitz faced the fear and doubt from both reality and others when seeking to pursue his artistic passion. Don shares his background and what lead him to be where he is today. By following his intuition, he found his niche and success in the imaginative realism field.  

 

Don shares with Erin the various avenues of his work. Not only did Don identify his art niche and pursue it, along the way he has gathered an extensive background on different art avenues to take and ways to express work to the public. He is a man who has done it all and shares his ways on how to amplify artwork. 

 

Along with amplifying art, there are secrets and red flags to look out for when it comes to the logistic and business side. Don helps unveil the truths, tricks and tips needed to successfully overcome the contract and licensing platforms, as well as how to protect yourself and your artwork along the way.  

 

In this episode you’ll hear: 

[1:55] The Story Behind the Creation of the Captain Morgan Label 

[7:53] The Three Factors of Talent 

[10:28] Don Finding His Niche  

[15:45] The Start of Don’s Artistic Realm  

[19:17] The Decision to Pursue Becoming an Artist in The Real World  

[22:34] Don Following his Intuition and Finding his Art School 

[25:51] Don Expresses His Art Through Holiday Cards 

[29:38] Avenues Don Takes to Get His Work Out There 

[32:48] The First Thousand are The Hardest 

[37:48] How to Tell a Story Around Art 

[38:56] Loving and being Emmeshed in What You Do  

[46:30] Erin’s Take away From Don’s Steps to Success 

[46:26] Contracts, Laws and Protecting Creativity and Intellectual Property 

[53:46] The Importance of Measuring, Celebrating and Rewarding Success 

 

Links and Resources: 

Paier School of Art Hamden, Connecticut  

Mythic Journeys Documentary 

www.howtomakemoneywithyourart.com  

Don Maitz LinkedIn 

 

Books Mentioned: 

Tim Ferriss, The 4-Hour Workweek 

Andrew Loomis, Creative Illustrations 

James Gurney, Imaginative Realism 

James Gurney, Color and Light