The other day a young artist confided that she feels immense pressure to make things happen FAST. She sees other artists her age are “killing it” on Instagram and she feels inadequate. It’s literally causing her anxiety and she’s having trouble focusing on creating art.
Thanks to social media, we feel a need to be “as good as” others. What we don’t realize is that every single artist has their OWN path to take. And that path is beautiful, special and unique.
I asked her “what do YOU want that these other artists have?” (this is as great question because clarity puts us on our path.)
She thought about it and then answered “I just want people to love and respond to my art.”
When I look at artists who are LOVED by many and are SUCCESSFUL, there’s one thing they all have in common:
They don’t worry about what other artists are doing. They are too busy doing their OWN thing.
Think of all the people you know of who are masters at what they do; artists, musicians, physicists: they all stay completely focused on what they are doing. The actions of others do not dictate theirs.
When Eddie Van Halen was a teenager, he stayed in his bedroom playing guitar from sun up to sun down, while the other kids were outside playing. He didn’t worry about what others were doing; day after day he focused on mastering his art. His guitar style was new and in the beginning not many understood it. Later, it became “ground breaking” in the hard rock world. And now he’s known as one of the world’s most iconic guitar players.
If you want your art to be LOVED and REMEMBERED, here’s how you do it:
1 – Focus on creating in a way that inspires YOU and keeps YOU excited (others will catch on eventually)
2 – Do not worry about what other artists are doing (that only serves as a distraction away from your own path)
3 – Be YOU without apology (because fakes are never loved)
4 – Be Patient and put in the time (masters are not born overnight)
The young artist asked about “the rules of the art world.” She wanted to know, should an artist work on a resume and a CV and all those other things that people say you need?
NO. Most of the great artists of our time never even had a CV! Sure, make one if you feel you need to. But trust me, when people buy your art, they aren’t asking for that. They buy it because they love it or they love you or both.
Following the rules of the art world and the rules of social media and any rule at all can hold you back as an artist.
When I look at all of the artists who have made a big name for themselves, one thread of commonality is that they did things their own way. They think for themselves.
A great example is Ashley Longshore. Her brash, provocative (and sometimes offensive!) paintings sell for over $50,000. In her earlier days she was rejected by galleries, so she said “screw it” and opened her own gallery New Orleans. Now her art buyers include celebrities, wealthy collectors and even royalty.
What is most interesting about Ashley’s story is this: she’s unapologetically HERSELF. And while she might turn off a few people who don’t align with her expression, she has enough people who LOVE her BECAUSE she is who she is. And those are the people that matter.
When people say “be yourself” what they really mean is, “don’t fake being someone else.” Never compare your path to others.
Every artist has to walk their own path.
Stay true to your own dreams, your own style, your own way of doing things. Eventually the world will come around.
Please share in the comments, do you agree? Where do you struggle with this? And do you have suggestions for the young artists who are feeling the pressure to fit in?
Thanks for reading!
Maria xxoo
Great message, Maria! Love this one. Much appreciated.
Thank you. Your suggestions are so “right on”!
I think it’s hard not to be stressed when nothing is happening in my art business, no sales, no reaction to my engagement, and when I need to have the money to live. It takes time, yes. But the bank is not waiting. Then the solution is to give up and get back to the awful and brain-killing 9 to 5.
I can see other artists having a 6-figure business. Mine is a minus 4 figure business, so the anxiety is there for sure. So for sure if it’s working for them, and if it is not working for me, maybe I should just stop
Clemence, I feel your pain and I’m sorry you’re having a hard time. Don’t stop making your art, even if it’s not selling, create it for yourself. Allow yourself to feel joy from it. That’s the number one purpose of making art.
Thank you!! Feel the same way many days!!
P.s. Not sure why my dad’s blog photo attaches to my comments! 🙂
The photo could be attached to your email address as a Gravatar – check your Gravatar account if you have one!
Spot on Maria, thank you! With social media etc we can get distracted, but focusing on what we love to create is VITAL. Until success arrives (and I’d imagine even once success is achieved, it then has to be maintained), living a creative life is a juggling act…there is the NEED to have enough money to pay the bills, food etc. I wish it were easier!! There are so many aspects to being an artist that need to be achieved – we’re actually multi-tasking marvels!! 🙂
So true, we are “multi-tasking marvels”!!!! 🙂
Just what I needed to hear! Thanks as always for the great advice.
Hi Maria, This was a beautiful encouragement to me. Thank you!
Your blog is inspiring and well targeted to help artists grow. As I was reading your words I could think of one song that closely represents your thought – My Way by Frank Sinatra.
Have a good and save week
Solid advice! Thank you Maria! I definitely agree that artists should stay true to their call and passions. They should also guard their time and make sure that every aspect of their business is focused on achieving what they really desire. I get a lot of requests and I gently say NO to almost everything. If you aren’t sure of your own brand and vision how will you carry it out? Maybe some should dream and write that out.