Success in the Arts

A Gift for All Aspiring Artists: Writers, Musicians, Filmmakers, Visual Artists, Dancers, Actors. These principles apply equally to all creative careers. Answers such questions as: What factors contribute most to success in the arts? Do you have enough talent? What do you need besides talent? What are the myths about creativity? What is real creativity and how do you cultivate it? How do you get through tough times? How do you deal with criticism? How do you “get the breaks” in your field? What foundation principles don’t change? How do you hang on to the important things in life? How do you keep from “selling your soul?” What if you don’t make it?

Author Biography

A. Michael Shumate is a career graphic designer and illustrator whose work has been used all over the world. He was a Professor of Graphic Design and Illustration at St. Lawrence College for twenty-five years. Son of an artist and a musician, husband to a music teacher, and father to more musicians, filmmakers, a writer, a fine woodworker and a photographer, the principles that Michael teaches in “Success in the Arts” apply equally to all of the arts.