Art journey mishaps and gaining confidence in your art pt 1

I don't have the quick and easy answer. There is no quick and easy way to confidence in your own art.

In fact, my own journey to gaining confidence in my art has been really fucking treacherous. I wouldn't wish the totality of what I've gone through in 30+ years on anyone. BUT I can appreciate the lessons I've learned. I can appreciate how content I feel right now, sitting in my kitchen, surrounded by my own paintings.

In reflection on things I learned the hard way, some advice I can give you, the artist, is:

Stop appealing to the wide audience. Stop trying to get everyone's attention. Really focus on the people who love your art, and focus on the niche(s) you are based in. I'm not saying you cannot grow into other things, but please prioritize the small group of fans you already have.

Why? Because the numbers don't matter.

The money speaks for itself.

No one wants to have 5k followers and zero passive income.

Ideally, you want a handful of dedicated followers who buy your newest things and want your commissions.

When people are buying your stuff, you feel confident. Confidence bleeds into everything you do.

I didn't follow this advice. I went the route of trying a new Instagram, running two Instagram's, dipping my toes in a lot of genres, facing rejection in all forms till I said fuck it and flipped a table.

I then embarked on just my own ideas. This time four years ago, I would have told you I have zero original ideas. This time four years ago I just wanted to draw Megatron endlessly. But I had zero self confidence in my art, I hardly promoted my stuff. I hated reblogging my own art, I felt I was begging for attention. None of that was true.

Have you ever gone to your favorite artists twitter and tried finding some of their recent art they tweeted? You probably won't see any, UNLESS THEY AVIDLY RETWEET THEIR OWN STUFF.

It took me a few times trying to find my friend’s art to retweet, to realise, holy shit, the art really does get lost and you really should retweet. You really should promote yourself.

But you're less likely to do either, unless you're proud of what you do.

It took a lot of hard knocks for me to realise there is a place for every artist in this world. They're not all competition, and I deserve a spot among the rest, like everyone does.

Unforuntalty it is up to us, the individual artist, to do the hard work. To believe in ourselves.

It helps to review your accomplishments. It helps to realise that there is no end point. There is no point where you will feel content,you've achieved it all. You will likely always have a small yearning to do more. To land another comic cover. Get another painting sold. Fair enough, you need to have goals and motivation.

But also celebrate the fact that you DID get one comic cover already. You DID sell that original painting you never thought would sell.

It's NOT a fluke you do well on social media. Own your accomplishments. I hope some confidence in your art will come shortly after.

This will be an ongoing discussion as I remember other tips & things that would have helped, if I knew them sooner.