3 Lessons I've Learned in 3 Years as a Full-Time Artist
This past weekend, on August 5th, I celebrated three years of being a full-time artist! Reflecting on this milestone, I wanted to share a few lessons I’ve learned along the way. So for any other aspiring artists, creatives, and dreamers, here are the top 3 lessons I’ve learned in 3 years as a full-time artist:
Don't Overthink it
My fellow overthinkers and perfectionists, I understand. I've always had a natural inclination toward anxious second-guessing. Becoming an artist was my childhood aspiration and my lifelong dream, but I was scared. For too long, I tricked myself into believing that I had to have all of the details ironed out first. I thought that my work had to be "perfect" before I could share it (spoiler: there's no such thing!). Often, I still feel this way, and I have to combat the perfectionist in me daily. I have to remind her that it's better done than "perfect," because your work can't inspire if it stays inside your room and your dreams can't come true if they stay inside your head. Yes, it’s scary to put yourself out there and pursue a dream, but ultimately, I’ve found that it’s scarier not to.
Befriend fellow creatives
Learn from them, be inspired by them, bounce ideas off of each other. You really do become who you surround yourself with, so be sure to surround yourself with people who inspire and uplift you. No matter how different their path may look from yours, you can still find inspiration from the myriad of ways to make it in the creative world. Be wary of comparison though. Fellow artists and creatives are not your competition. Instead, they can be your inspiration, your role models, your potential collaborators, and your kindred spirits forging their own one-of-a-kind paths just like you. After all, nobody will ever be able to express your unique voice as authentically as you can.
make authentic art
I used to think that happy art would never be taken seriously. “Art must comfort the disturbed and disturb the comforted,” and all of the other vexing quotes thrown out in my art seminars would reverberate through my mind and startle me into creating work that matched these sentiments. I’ve discovered that art isn’t about expressing any one particular feeling or mood – it’s about authenticity. Release yourself from anybody else’s expectations and make the art that feels most authentic to you. Whatever kind of work that you feel compelled to create, I promise you, you will find your audience. Once you find that community of people who truly appreciate your most authentic expression, you’ll realize that it is so much more valuable than trying to please everyone with your work.