Thoughts on Artistry

I was given a compliment by Evansville’s Creative Type Podcast when we met up for our pre meeting the other day and one of you called me a successful artist.

First of all, thank you.

Second of all imposter syndrome so hard.

And third I don’t consider myself a successful artist.

I like to think that someone who makes whatever kind of painting they want and immediately sells it, would be my ideal of what a successful artist is. Which I don’t, and of course, wish I would, but I still consider myself a beginner because I keep branching out into many different mediums and I enjoy that. I am successful at onlyfans and patreon in a monetary sense and I use those income streams to fund my other projects.

I was a 14 year old who was given access to a guitar, piano, and acrylic paint. I’d spend my nights in my room painting as many notebook pages as I could. I don’t consider myself particularly gifted or talented, except when it comes to having an eye for color and putting pallets together, but I loved smearing paint around and kept doing it on and off for 15 years.

When I went to graduate school, the art looked worse to me and the concept was high. I was constantly told I wasn’t making art, I was making aesthetically pleasing things. I don’t think academia is the place for art. Some art, sure, go for it, make a statement, say something. But to the people out there making kitschy, crafty wreaths, make them! Go for it. I want everyone to feel encouraged and supported to express themselves and share their creativity with the world. Even if it’s ugly, even if it doesn’t look how you wanted to: share it, post it, give your art as a gift to someone because what everyone does is important. Get the art out of your head and into the world. Birth it. Do it. Be it. Have ideas and make them come true. Make a bad painting, paint over it, keep going, keep trying. Don’t try to be perfect, just try.