• You could be a full time professional artist, like me with forty years in my studio, and still going strong!
• You could be published worldwide.
• You could have regular exhibitions of your work in many countries on five continents.
• You could have international sales of your work grossing about half a million dollars a year.
• You could be your own boss, as an artist, and enjoy the good life.
• Like me.

Does that sound attractive? It is not easy. We made many mistakes on the way up. 'How to make a living as an artist' will explain the common pitfalls, and how you can overcome or avoid them. We will share the route from survival to success with you in this book.

This book will walk you through the process step by step, chapter by chapter. You will be able to skip from subject to subject in any order.

But the life of an artist is not just a wonderful way of making money and kicking goodbye to the wage slavery of working for someone else. There are several other benefits when you become a full time professional artist.

What, where, when, who, why and how.

• What is the artistic lifestyle all about.  The real bonus of this lifestyle is experiencing the excitement and buzz that you get from being creative and free thinking. You will find that the ability to make art every day, whenever, however, and where-ever you want, is a mind blowing experience. Creative juices will flow and all your artistic ideas can be tried out. The spill over into your everyday life will astonish you. You will be thinking for yourself about your work, and you will find new ways of thinking about every other aspect of your life. You probably already know that artists are often philosophers, poets, musicians, designers, inventors, and writers as well as being artists. Being an artist encourages these other activities. 
• Where you can do it.  You can be an artist where ever you like. An artist can legitimately travel to far flung exotic places to be able to paint them. You can follow in Gaugin's footsteps and settle on a south sea island, and the tax man will allow it as a justifiable expense. Or you can set yourself away from prying eyes in your own hidey-hole studio right in the centre of town, emerging to mingle with cafe society and the company of other artists. You can choose the town, you can choose the country. The world is your oyster.
• When you can do it. An artist creates art when inspiration and circumstances are right. That means that you will not be a clock slave. You will probably want to work very hard because you are having a good time and enjoying the work. But you can take time off when other interests are foremost. You are the boss. The old nine to five routine is a thing of the past. Work all night then take a week off. Be prepared to have moments of frenzied activity before an exhibition, followed by periods of rest and calm when you will be preparing for the next one.
• Who you will be. Do all this and bask in a respected and admired position in society. The international status of an artist has never been higher. You can experience the limelight in whatever size bites that you wish. If you are extrovert and enjoy being the focus of attention, or if you are introverted and wish to keep yourself to yourself, either way you can build a successful career as an artist, and still expect to receive the accolades of your fellow citizens. Artists command respect where ever they are.
• Why being an artist is so good. Here is another bonus that you will find as an artist. You will find that you have access to new exclusive upper circles where the role value of being an artist is understood, envied and revered. Here you will meet and mix with the wealthy, powerful, and influential social leaders, where you can benefit from patronage and established good taste. You are rightly valued because you as an artist contribute to the well being of society. Your work will be sought out and collected because it could be a good investment, and because you are seen as a trend-setter.
• How to make a living as an artist. This book can show you how to make a good living, and command respect and status. It can show you how to think about yourself, feel proud and free, and do something that can put you into the art history books. It is not just a dream. This book can show you how to make the dream come true.

This book will walk you through the process step by step.

You will find out about the 12 golden rules.

You will be warned about some nasty shocks.

You can learn about eight strategies for selling your work yourself.

You can find out about other sources of income from your art like licensing and publishing.

You will be told how to achieve the practical competence and inner confidence that are necessary to survive and succeed on your path to becoming a full time professional artist.

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"Your book..... I think it's excellent, jam-packed with invaluable stuff, vigorously expressed. 

It also made me laugh (in a good way). "   Mike Sims.

Mike Sims is Editor of 'Art Business Today' Magazine

"Colin, I'm out to buy your book, sounds good."

Shirley Trevena. International artist and author.