Why Creating Art is A Lost Art and What To Do About It

As an artist, who has been painting for nearly 10 years, I know what it is to have dry spells, to give up, and to start over in my art career. We all know it, as artists, it’s extremely difficult at times to create, and even more so, to believe in your craft.

But as we look around, there are so many artists out there, so quick to fame and success, and some doing it well, and others, we ponder about the genuineness of creating. Are there people out there who call themselves an artist, only for notoriety and money? Perhaps. But what about the other artists, who create, seldom have the money to advertise, and yet still, somehow, feel like they are falling short, or aren’t reaching their potential, or are overly tired of seeing the Ads pop up on their digital screens, reading, “Make Thousands Selling Your Art Online”, or, “How Pinterest Made me Reach 3 Million Subscribers to my Art Website”. You can fill in the gaps. Or, a recent one I saw and couldn’t help but boil a bit, “Think Marketing is the Answer to Reaching Thousands with Your Art? Think Again.” (and this was a sponsored ad, so it was obviously paid for, and yet they market it as though “paying” for ads, simply isn’t needed. Not to mention, they are offering FREE! advice if you subscribe to their website link.)

Typically, and from my experience, these free videos are dandy until they make you pay for their book that holds the “secrets” to growing your online business at the end of the video.) For many of us, this will not be our story. And for many, it’s not the answer, but for all of those paid ads featuring the next perfect blogger with perfect hair and make-up and stationary in the video, we can’t sit here and think they didn’t spend a pretty penny. And then, what’s more, wonder why we’re not getting there. It can get so exhausting seeing these everywhere, it's no wonder we believe getting "Insta-famous" is important. It's not, friends. In the end, I assure you, it will not matter.

In addition, as an artist who uses Instagram and Facebook, I can’t tell you how tired I am of the messages I get to be "featured" on an Instagram account that has 24K followers, but of course, for only a small fee. Majority of them aren’t actual companies, they just have a large Instagram following (which you can also pay for Instagram followers, so you don't even know if they are actual organic followers) that may do little, if nothing, to actually help grow and market your art business, the business you’ve worked so hard on growing organically. If I go deeper into this, is your work really worth $65 dollars to be seen on a tiny square, that will probably not even make you a sale? I have never paid for a single Instagram advertisement that I was asked to do. I don’t believe in them, because unfortunately, these “advertisers and agents” just want a quick money transaction and probably don’t care about the heart of your business, which is why, you’ll see that a lot of them, have various, odd, sometimes cringe-worthy art on their pages. I am not talking about reputable sources, such as official Instagram accounts, like the official Etsy account (which doesn't even offer ads through their IG to begin with, except to tag #MyEtsyFind!). There are plenty of “agents” wanting you to advertise on their Instagram for only a small “fee”, and we’ll get exposure, right? Don't fall for the majority of them.

On another note, you also feel bogged down by perhaps the people in your own life who want your work easy. And you, being you, nice, artistic, and giving, feel obligated. This is the case here: your work, your artwork, is one of your chosen careers, regardless if your making $100 a month or $3000 a month, it is equally important to you as a legal document would be to a lawyer. It does not need a price tag, but it is your work, it’s what you do with your hands, and if you ever feel in your heart that someone is taking advantage of you and everything you’ve built, don’t be afraid to say no, or to offer a different medium, such as commercial licenses or wholesale. If other people want your art, not for their homes, then they can get it the professional way, without stepping over you to get it. Help others, but don't let them take advantage of your business to grow theirs. There is a difference.

Now, the heart of my article.

What happened to the pure, simple, and engaging act of simply creating art for the sake of creating? Don’t we feel like we just have to post it, or it didn’t matter, or even happen? Don’t we feel like it has to have a certain number of likes, or just perhaps it wasn’t good enough? Don’t feel mentally exhausted, than ever before, when it comes to comparison and feeling like you’re not good enough?

I’ve been there. I think we’ve all been there as artists.

I think we need more than a breather. We need a break. I’m not saying to stop going on Instagram and Facebook, but by all means, do if you feel led. But what I am saying, is to remember when you first started painting or crafting, or whatever creative medium you chose to do with your hands.

I remember being in the 1^st grade, and I knew I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. I’ve always drawn in sketchbooks, freely, and with joy. I loved it. As a little girl, it felt challenging, exciting, thrilling, even. As I grew older, it began to feel like a burden. As Monet once said, “Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment.” It was all of these things and more. I began to tuck away the little girl inside me, and I pursued writing instead.

Don’t we give up sometimes? Don’t we give in to the lies that we simply aren’t good enough, aren’t worthy enough, aren’t called enough?

Well, this may be a shocker, but that’s when Jesus stepped in, took a hold of my hands, and whispered His truths over my being. You are called. You are chosen. Use your joy of creating for my glory, and I will do the rest.

“You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill.” Exodus 28:3

You may not believe in Jesus, so you may not understand where I am coming from, but that is OK. I think you know what it’s like for someone to encourage you, to pull back your hair and to whisper good things, and to say that you are good enough. If you don’t, then I am so sorry no one has ever told you how worthy, called, and beautiful you are, and moreover, what beauty you can create with your hands as an artist. It matters. The world needs art, not because it stirs emotions and can be labeled as “good” and “hyper-realistic” or “famous”, but because God can use art to speak to that lonely soul, wading in the corners of their room. It can point them in the right direction--inspire them, even.

For me, I hope my work gently reflects the nature of my God.

For all of you artists out there, please create for the sake of creating and let God do the rest. Rest in the fact that you sat down and completed a painting, that is a feat. Rest in the joys of moving your hands along the paper, seeing your brush dance and hearing it sing. Create by the window, seeing the light pattern makes on your desk. Drink your tea. Drink your coffee. Listen to music. Find the thrill again of seeing something come to life from a blank canvas. Don’t feel the burden of sharing every single thing you paint to be seen and noticed. Don't rush the process, do it for the process.

Your artwork is so much more than a like and worth much more than a follower. Your art is not money. There is a danger in constantly posting and tweeting—as artists, we will get burned out. Don’t let this happen.

I now create for the contentedness it brings me; just in this small moment of my life—this small fraction—a brush and paper, and Jesus is all I need.

“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14