How To Feel Miserable As An Artist
I recently saw this post online, and it hit me like a ton of bricks to the dome-piece! I’m not expert at how to feel great about yourself as an artist, but here are some nuggets of advice on how to combat the default critical tendencies we fall into as artists:
This list is a part of a project called The Artist’s Survival Kit by Keri Smith
Personally, I fall into the rabbit hole of scrolling though Instagram to find new artists to compare my work to (for better or for worse). My thought was, “Hey! There are about 80 million photos shared daily on this app daily; there’s no way I’m that great,” but honestly with that mentality, it’s impossible to fall in love with anything I create. My best advice? Look at your stuff, find whatever you want to improve on for future shots, and then find the quality in the composition that you created; leaving a good taste in your mouth (then repeat tomorrow or months later when you’re feeling nostalgic).
For me I got lucky that my family is supportive of what I do, as long as it’s not trying to become a musician again. My best advice? Give them your shit for Christmas year after year, and they’re eventually going to find a place for it in their home, or pay you to stop the torture.
Basing the success of your entire career on one project is like expecting a to retire off of lemonade stand. That’s my one line of advice.
This advice doesn’t come from me, it actually comes from my ex-girlfriend. When you fall into your defaults; you get the same results. So if you put shit in, then you’ll get shit out. Put some quality into your work, and be willing to change.
This kind of goes with #1. Drown yourself in your own shit, and engulf yourself in the stench of your own glory.
There’s a phrase that’s been coming to mind recently, “Choose a job you love, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” I don’t know if Confucius had a post-Depression era in mind when he said that. My advice is get a side gig if creating art doesn’t pay the bills, and if it does then revel in the fact that it does.
So, the phrase “starving artist” is real, y’all! My advice is don’t bring somebody onto your hamster wheel for the romantic idea of being poor & in-love. Focus on yourself, your craft, and your version of success. There are only two things worse than a hungry individual, and that’s a hungry couple or a hungry family.
If advice #2 worked too well, and now your family is overly-supportive of your work. Well…my best thing to say is sorry bout your luck, Chuck! (kidding). My advice is to express to them that you have your vision/ creativity and advise them to express theirs however they seem fit. Invite them to create with you even; my sister was the first person I’ve ever shot alongside (oh shit! I just realized she was trying to get me off her back).
You are one in 7.53 billion people in the world, and so are they; they can go eff themselves. I’m not saying piss off every client you get because there will be more, but just understand that you don’t HAVE to bend to satisfy one person’s preferences.
This is possibly one of the most important bits of advice that I can give: Don’t rush it. If you plan on building an empire, build one building at a time If you want to host your own exhibition, create one piece at a time or follow one theme at a time until eventually you have all the pieces you need to finish that puzzle.
