how to become an artist: the leap into darkness

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Art evokes emotions, challenges perspectives, and offers glimpses into the human experience. However, the artist’s journey toward that moment is constellated of difficulties in both making and sharing their art.

While admiring a masterpiece, in whatever form, we are in awe. It seems like something out of a dream with a miracle-like flavor to it. It is easy to overlook the difficulties artists face in both making and sharing their art.

Creating art is an intimate and reflective process. Artists embark on a quest to translate their thoughts, emotions, and ideas into tangible expressions. However, this creative process is seldom a tranquil journey.


Self-Doubt often haunts artists. They question their abilities and the validity of their ideas. Creative blocks, periods of stagnation or lack of inspiration, can be paralyzing. To reignite their creative spark, artists must overcome these hurdles. The most important tools in an artist’s stash are persistence, resilience, and a deep introspection.

Photo by Angela Roma on Pexels.com

Sharing one’s art exposes artists to the vulnerability of public scrutiny and criticism. Fear of rejection and judgement can hinder the willingness to put their work out into the world. Artists often face the dilemma of preserving the integrity of their art while also seeking validation and acceptance from others.

Mastering the technical aspects of an art form takes time and dedication. The pursuit of honing skills and developing a personal style can be a tough journey. Artists must balance their need for technical proficiency with the freedom to explore and experiment; while always nurturing their artistic growth.

Once artists have overcome the obstacles within the creative process, a new set of challenges arises when it comes to sharing their art with others. These obstacles can hinder an artist’s ability to reach a wider audience and gain recognition for their work.

In this digital age, artists must master social media, online platforms, and galleries to gain visibility. Building an online presence, securing exhibitions, and connecting with potential patrons can be overwhelming. The ability to stand out amidst the sea of talented artists poses a significant challenge.

Artists often wrestle with the tension between staying true to their artistic vision and the need to make a living. They feel the pressure to conform to market demands, while struggling to hold on to the integrity of their work.

Furthermore, artists must worry about protecting their creations from plagiarism and unauthorized use. Copyright laws are complex and require legal knowledge and resources.

  • Photo by Ryanniel Masucol on Pexels.com

However, the rewards that come with overcoming these challenges are immeasurable. Art provides an outlet for artists to express their unique perspectives, emotions and experiences. The act of creation itself can be therapeutic, allowing artists to find solace and catharsis in their work.

Sharing art fosters connections between artists and their audiences. Art has the power to transcend language and cultural barriers, touching the hearts and minds of people from diverse backgrounds. The ability to evoke emotions and spark conversations enables artist to forge meaningful connections and create a sense of belonging.

Art has the potential to leave a lasting impact on society. Artists can shape the world around them by challenging societal norm, advocating for change, or simply offering moments of beauty and introspection. The legacy an artist leaves behind can inspire future generations and contribute to the evolution of artistic expression.

Conclusion:

To become an artist, sometimes the easiest part is to conquer the techniques. It takes time, dedication and passion, but that is the part that excites us. We struggle with all the technical issues, the project, the drawing, the materials, the tools, the color palette, the composition, and on and on. But we spear ahead. We research, we try-out, we purchase (splurge, too often) and through trials and errors we come to our final work.

And here the biggest battle starts. Maybe not for all of us. I’m talking to you, that have never been supported in your dreams, who never believed in yourself, not as an artist.

I’ve always been the rational one in the eyes of friends and family. Nobody ever thought I could be a creative soul. Too level headed and down to earth. However, there’s always been a sense of something huge hiding inside of me, pushing hard to come out. I’m learning. I have a long way to go, but I’m enjoying every single step. I encounter disbelief in the eyes of the people I have known for a long time, and admiration in recent acquaintances. Facing the prejudice is the fight.

The battle with myself is the hardest. Finding the courage to duck my fears and make that post that everybody will ignore or maybe scoff at. Every time I am scared. I will always look for that shop where I can buy some necessary resilience and a huge amount of creativity.

I believe that the genuine artist is the one that never gives up, but also the one that can make oneself vulnerable to others and face the opinion of others. It’s a leap into darkness where emotions are extreme. The fight is long, but the reward, when it comes, is everything.

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