Never Satisfied? You Might be an Artist!

I believe dissatisfaction is necessary for good art. I think true artists are explorers, constantly pushing into new areas, continually testing new ideas, always seeking a better form of expression. We refuse to settle. Even when we make something we love, we want to do even better next time.I think that's healthy.it drives us to keep developing. It presents us with interesting challenges. It makes life worth living.But if that innate dissatisfaction is not managed properly, it can become toxic.When that happens, those negative voices start up. The ones that say "who do you think you are? You're just rubbish at this. You shouldn't even bother."You know the ones. We all hear them from time to time.I have those same voices. Especially now as my work is going through a major shift and I don't yet know where it's leading.But the difference between the new me and the old me is that I still hear them, but I no longer let them bring me down.The shift happened when I realized that those voices are not truthful. The things they say are not facts. They're just old stories that have been playing in my head for years. They pop up as a matter of course any time I try to do something new or different and they say things I would never say to another human being (but have been perfectly comfortable saying to myself).If you don't realize this, these voices can take your natural tendency towards dissatisfaction and turn it against you so that it becomes toxic. You start to avoid making work. Or if you do enter your studio, you sabotage your efforts with negative beliefs about what will happen. In this state, you don't show your work to others and you certainly don't think about approaching galleries or applying for shows. Instead you turn inwards and cut yourself off from one of your primary sources of joy - making art.I know because that used to be me. But here's what I do now when the voices start up. I don't try to shut them up (they won't stop - it will never work!) So I let them talk, but I challenge each assertion. I don't accept that I'm no good. I don't pay any mind to 'who do you think you are?' and I categorically state that I am not going to give up.I also take action where I can. I ask for help if I think it's needed. I reach out for feedback if my paintings are not working. But more than anything, I keep painting, even on the days where nothing seems to go right. The thing is that one you stop believing those voices, painting is nothing but a joy, no matter what the results are on any given day.Those voices still pipe up every once in a while, but I'm too busy working to stop and listen.If you'd like to beat the negative voices and transform your relationship with art-making, you might enjoy my 'Find Your Joy' course. It's currently underway, but will run again early next year. If you'd like to know more, click here (and sign up if you'd like to know when we're ready to start again).