The Successful Artists

Well, I read The Painted Word from an art historical perspective and considered it a critique on modernism, especially Greenbergian modernism, and, to some extent, the nascent postmodernism around at the time it was written. However, looking back, it does mention a few business practices that were around in the '70s, such as when the museum curators would walk down into the boho artist areas and pick the next artist to blow up. While I assume that something akin to this practice still occurs, I think that there are many more ways in which artists can get their name out today than there were.
Many websites cater to up-and-coming artists, such as Etsy, Instagram, and Tumblr. Of course, I doubt any of these sites will create household names, but they are valuable ways for artists to gain recognition outside of the museum system. Also, since Wolfe wrote his essay, street art has become an acknowledged form of art by the masses, such that artists like JR can take over entire neighborhoods with his art of their inhabitants, Shepard Fairey can have a museum survey of his work (and get arrested on opening night), and Banksy can create his own settings (Barely Legal, Dismaland) and attract the attention of millions. These artists started out on the street where their art could be easily seen and gained a following long before any institutions took notice. For the contemporary artist, there are many avenues by which they can achieve some measure of recognition, even if the arbiters of taste for the masses remain the museum behemoths. 

Success? Hm, I try not to think about that word, because then my disappointment will only grow. Success for me I think is as simple as making a living and supporting myself with my creative talent. That doesn't mean, and I doubt I would enjoy, being solely a studio artist, but more likely working in marketing or advertising, or at a small print shop, and doing my own studio work on the side. I do not want to lead the life of the starving artist—and certainly not the drunk, belligerent one—but find a niche in which I am content to put my skills to good use. Maybe in my 30s or 40s I can ditch any sort of company and start my own venture, but for the foreseeable future I want to start small so that I can have room to grow and reach.