A Call to Action for Aspiring Artists

I believe that everyone has the ability to make powerful art, but I think many aspiring artists hold themselves back. I am on a mission to change that and I want to start with you.You were born with a drive to make art. You may have always felt it or it may have shown up just recently. Perhaps you were always drawing as a child, but gave it up once you reached your teens. Perhaps you went to art school but then got a ‘real job’ and gave up creating. But even though the drive has been dormant, it’s back now, pushing and prodding you, desperately trying to get your attention.You know this is what life is asking of you. The question is, will you do it?I think most of us view art-making as an indulgence – something to get to after all the chores are done; something that comes after work and friends and family and walking the dog and mowing the grass and pulling up weeds.But I think that’s the wrong lens. I don’t think art-making is about allowing yourself pleasure – I think it’s about taking responsibility; I think it’s about stepping up and doing the work you’re supposed to do.

You have been given a remarkable opportunity

Have you ever stopped to think about all the art that wasn’t created? For every Van Gogh, how many talented women were trapped in a squalid hovel hand-washing dirty clothes? And how many men were labouring long hours doing back-breaking work? Even 100 years ago, only the lucky few could make art … but now it’s available to all of us; rich and poor, young and old. (And if you’re thinking that paint is expensive, yes it is. But a pencil and paper is cheap. If you are reading this on a phone or a computer or an iPad, money is not your obstacle).Not only do we have unprecedented opportunities to make art, but we live during a time where gatekeepers no longer matter. We don’t have to wait for someone else to approve of our work; we can put it out to the whole world for free. FOR FREE! Think about that. Imagine how Van Gogh’s life might have been different if he had access to Instagram. (Let alone that poor woman scrubbing the clothes!)We are breathtakingly lucky to have these opportunities.Breathtakingly. Lucky.

So what stops us from making our art?

I think a key block is the idea that it’s an indulgence. It is not. It’s your duty. First, the world needs art. Art connects; art inspires; art questions; art expands. The world needs art.But second, the world needs YOU to make YOUR art. No-one else can do that. If you don’t do it, it doesn’t get made.Third, your family and friends need you to make art. Because if you don’t, if you keep ignoring that poking and prodding, your resentment will grow, your frustration levels will increase, and everything will get worse for everyone.So, it’s your job to make your art.

But there are other reasons we don’t do it.

Often it’s the voices in our head. I’m thinking of that primary school teacher who said you had “done it wrong” because you painted a pink cow instead of making it brown. Or the art school committee that rejected you. Or your parents who said making art was a pipe dream. Or your spouse, who doesn’t understand why you want to spend time on “such an expensive hobby.”(If you had a troubled childhood or unsupportive parents, you may struggle with self-esteem in every aspect of your life. In fact, I would go so far as to suggest that if you don’t make time for art, you probably struggle to make time for yourself in other ways. If you don’t speak up and make yourself heard through your art, you probably don’t speak up in other areas of your life.)Anyway, whoever those negative voices are and wherever they came from, they have been internalized and now they speak as if they are your own voice. So you tell yourself that you’re not good enough; that you can’t do it; that you shouldn’t waste money; that no-one will want to look at what you make anyway.It’s all crap but we let ourselves believe it. Why? Maybe because it saves us from having to take responsibility for doing the work. It means we don’t have to risk showing ourselves. It keeps us safe.And yet, there is that prodding.So you dabble. You try a bit of drawing. You test out watercolours. Maybe you even pull out an old set of acrylics or oils. And you make something. And it sucks.Or maybe it doesn’t totally suck, and other people like it, but it’s not what you want to make. What you want to make is SO MUCH MORE than this!

And that’s another reason we don’t make art

You know the standard of work you want to make – but what you actually make doesn’t match up.That’s the moment where you have a choice. You can listen to all those voices in your head and tell yourself that you just don’t have what it takes. OR, you can accept that – with the exception of the vanishingly rare, uber-talented anomaly – most people cannot just pick up a paintbrush and create a masterpiece. If you decided to run the London marathon, you’d start jogging first. If you wanted to change careers and become a vet, you’d embark on years of study. In almost every other aspect of life we understand that there is a necessary journey of learning and exploration. And what’s more, we understand that this journey is a valuable and enjoyable one. But when it comes to art, we think you’re either born talented or you’re not.This is rubbish. Art is no different from anything else – work at it and you will get good. Sit back and wait for inspiration to strike and you will not.

Comparison is just another excuse not to do your work

This much I know … the artists you admire have all walked the same path. They may have started in different places but, by and large, they all experienced the same things. They also share some things in common: they all worked hard, they all accepted what they didn’t know, they all sought out knowledge, and they all failed ... over and over again.If you compare yourself to them before you have done the same, you set yourself up for certain failure. But if you accept that you are on a journey that many have travelled before you, and if you seek out travelling companions who will help and support you, and if you understand that this is only the beginning and that what lies ahead is an exciting journey of exploration and self-discovery, then everything can be yours..

So here’s what I believe

Every single person can create unique and valuable art if they allow themselves to do it.And allowing yourself means:

• Taking responsibility and accepting that this is now your job (maybe not your source of income, but your job anyway).
• Giving yourself permission to fail (over and over again) because that’s the only way you can learn.
• Shutting out negative voices politely but firmly. (The voices in your head can pipe down, and the actual real-life people who might have opinions – well they can always buy their own paint brushes if they want to do it differently).
• Finding ways to acquire the knowledge you need. It is likely that we will need help to embark on this journey but it’s out there and a lot of it is free of charge. I suggest you begin by subscribing to our list so you don't miss anything. You can also check out this video blog and this series of YouTube videos and you can find many other great resources via Google or YouTube.
• Finding and sharing your own unique voice rather than copying others. (You will only find true joy if you are pursuing your own path).

If all this sounds like a slog, I promise it’s not. Your art making can be an amazing journey of discovery. It only becomes difficult when you try to jump ahead on the path without putting in the work. All you have to do is show up, take responsibility, drop expectations of being a natural genius, accept that you have a lot to learn, and then get on with learning it all. Do that and I promise you will have fun, gain confidence, and find real joy. Oh and you will make some kick-ass art along the way!What are you waiting for?If you enjoyed reading this post, please sign up for email updates here - you will receive a weekly email packed with original content to inspire you. Please also come and join my private Facebook group by clicking here - you will meet supportive, friendly artists from all over the world and you will finally have a place where you can talk art to your heart's content!! Join now!