Philosophy
Throughout the centuries-long history of fine art complexity and uncertainty have plagued art critics, art dealers, public art gallery curators and collection committees, private collectors and artists themselves. Of all the paintings, sculpture, sketches, drawings, prints and photographs flooding the art market, month by month, year by year, which of them are products of current trends, destined to die with the trend? Which of them regurgitate past acclaimed applications, without crucial revitalizing and imaginative components? Which of them will survive the test of time and endure to become masterworks?... Nobody knows, or has ever known, the answer.
Nevertheless, specific realities simplify complexity and uncertainty to the extent of guiding artists toward at least some little hope for their chances. The route to abiding success is eased considerably when the artist exhibits in notable galleries and gains attention and approval of the news media and influential people; when the artist is mentored or taught by recognized artists and associates with people in the arts; when the artist is actively engaged in a potentially significant art movement or group. It helps, as well, to win public and private financial grants of some kind. Regardless of how gifted, rarely does an artist rise to prominence without those advantages.
Most important of all, an artist must have a firmly held individual philosophy or purpose and an unwavering urge to make it known and credible via his or her work.
Those components in the development of an artist's life and work are applicable in any field of human endeavour.