What Is An Artist Coach?

An artist coach is someone who helps creative individuals, like artists, find what they're looking for, whatever that might mean for their career and personal growth. This often involves leveraging unique professional experiences to guide them. For example, during a chance encounter in London, I, an artist and coach, met a former professional artist now working in tech. He expressed confusion about what a coach is, asking, 'What kind of coach? Like sports? I don’t understand what a coach is, or why I’m talking like this to a stranger.' I explained that I'm an artist with a gift for helping other artists, guiding them to discover their path. This interaction began on a train, where we chatted about his past as a professional artist, the cool places he’d shown his work, and the wild adventures he’d had. He shared his decision to leave the art world for a 'real job' to be a better role model for his teen-aged son, and the conflicts he felt as a result. Our conversation continued in a hidden bar, where I clarified that while I don't love the word 'coach' myself, my role is to help artists navigate their challenges and aspirations. We spoke of his past and future, his art, and his son, highlighting the deep, personal guidance an artist coach provides.