A Message for Discouraged Artists
EPISODE 99
Sometimes being an artist is hard. This week, in my first solo episode, I talk about the ups and downs of creative life and share a message of support to artists that are feeling discouraged or weary.
It’s a short episode, but it’s enough. In many ways, this sentiment sums up what this episode is all about. Being gentler with yourself, letting go of the endless quest for more and trusting in your own creative path. I hope you find comfort and encouragement in the episode.
If you scroll down, you can read a transcript of the message that I read out in the episode.
A SPECIAL MESSAGE
Dear Artist,
Sometimes being an artist is hard. I know.
You put your heart and soul into a new body of work and it doesn't sell.
You think you have come up with something original only to have someone say, "Your art looks like someone else's.”
You buy all the supplies and set up space to create, and then your baby decides that it doesn't want to nap anymore.
You sell work, but by the time you factor in the creative time, marketing, shipping, and packaging, your income amounts to less than the minimum wage.
Then there's the world of social media. Every day we see the flip side of this:
We see the artist that sells out their work in minutes.
We see work that feels more unique than we could possibly make.
We see artists working with babies by their side, peacefully sleeping.
We see fancy studios with studio assistants to package and ship the work.
It's a challenging world filled with highs and lows. Sometimes it feels like it would be easier to pack it in, get a 9-5 office job, quit social media ... But would that be better?
Take a moment to remember why you started making art. Was it to carve out some space just for you? To do something that you truly love, or maybe something you loved as a child? To feel connected and alive! Even if you aren't feeling that way now, please know that the good feelings will return.
Also, know that every discouragement leads to growth. And that overtime ...
Customer bases grow painting by painting.
Work becomes more unique the more we make and dig in.
Babies grow up and start sleeping.
We learn how to be more efficient with marketing, packing, and shipping.
These things change, but one thing remains the same—the joy that comes from expressing ourselves creatively. The moment when we splash paint on the canvas and all of our worries fade away, when we take that photo or feel the clay in our hands—that feeling is the feeling of being alive. A feeling of purpose, and we can do the hard things when we have that.
So trust in your creativity. Trust that it is guiding you to exactly where you need to be. Trust that it will show up for you if you show up for it. And if your creativity is telling you right now that you need a rest, then listen and allow this to be a quiet season.
Let what you have right now be enough. Let painting for 5 minutes be enough. Let selling one painting out of a hundred be enough. Let only posting on Instagram once or less this month be enough.
Be kind to your discouragement and take a moment to remember why you create and just how far you have come.
From one artist to another,
WE’VE GOT THIS!
Laura XO
WANT MORE INSPIRATION?
My brand new online course, Modern Mixed Media, is open for registration! Class starts on the 20 July 2020. Click below to find out more.
HELP THE PODCAST GROW
subscribe | Click the subscribe button in your podcast player to be notified of new episodes weekly. Find us on all the main platforms including iTunes, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify and Overcast.
review | Reviews matter! When you leave a five star review on iTunes, it encourages other artists to check out the podcast and join the community. Plus, it brightens our day!
share | If you loved an episode how about sharing an Instagram story, writing a Facebook post or telling a friend. Every share makes a difference and helps us to connect with new listeners.
