TH-cam is experimenting with a new podcast feature so I've put some of my chattier videos (this one included) in a special playlist for you if you're looking to have something run in the background while you work :) th-cam.com/play/PLoo0DnvsjPWJOLTW-6Fg74JE8i1g05zF6.html
This video is just what I needed as validation to take it slow. Art is truly something that cannot be rushed and by trying to commercialize it too quickly I’m robbing myself of the process of experimentation and discovery. How can I even begin to sell my art when I don’t even have a full grasp of who I am as an artist? I am still building the foundation that I need to carry me for years to come. I used to feel a little embarrassed because I thought not posting my art= I failed and gave up, but I’m practicing in private and feel so much more ease and freedom that way because I don’t need people to see me creating art in order to feel like an artist. Also, when you’re trying to build an audience, people WILL expect cohesiveness for your art and experimentation is almost an anti-thesis to cohesiveness.
That's very true! There's a lot more freedom to try new things and work on your skills when you don't have the pressure of an audience or creating content. I've tried to push back against that urge to play it safe in my own content and just release things like prints and originals when they're ready, despite all the pressure to release things earlier. I want to say that you can still experiment while growing an audience but it's definitely harder :'(
I agree, this is where I am at right now too. I never thought i could actually have a career in Art so I never went after it and now it's all I think about at 38. I have lots of feelings of regret and imposter syndrome because my art is not consistent yet but I am allowing myself to take it slow and just make things. I hope to someday be as well thought out and planned as Kelsey but man, it's hard not to feel like its "too late" even tho dear lord 38 is not too late - these little things we tell ourselves! Anyways, I still post things to my instagram right now even though its not cohesive but it helps me feel like ok good i did another thing. Somedays I do wonder if I need to clean it up or start it over but idk
Hey Kelsey, your art career is a roller coaster. Trust me, I've been a professional for close to 50 years. You can do this. You are already doing this. I'm one of the work horses with little notoriety, but I have made a living from my art enough to put a roof over my head for a long time. I learn from you and others coming into yet another, "brave new world." of art. I am in a bit of a down turn right now, but the work is everything. Trust in developing your skills - I've been working on mine for a long time, and it is a task that never ends. Luckily - we don't want it to. Keep it up and thank you for the pep talk.
as someone who is very early on in their career, there is a persistent fear of "what if this doesn't work out?" or "what if I'm not good enough?" I just graduated in december and have started to really focus on social media. I've gained a substantial following on instagram and just got monetized on youtube, but there's still a lingering doom for this to end somehow, or what I should be doing next. but your notion that we don't have to have everything figured out right away, and that I should just enjoy the process and take it easy is really comforting. and if I am stagnating, taking your tips into consideration and applying them to my career is valuable as well. thank you kelsey, and I hope you get well soon! take it easy, and we'll be ready for you when you're back in your groove :)
You have no idea how much I neeeeeded to listen to the whole "it takes time, and its okay" I'm so anxious, I have been feeling depressed because I feel like Im not doing things fast enough or that It isn't good enough. Thank u
I know what I need to do but that would mean not having a full time job. I don't have much if any time to improve my skills right now because of said job taking up all my time. By the time I get off work...I'm so mentally exhausted that I don't have any energy to do anything. I need to pay the bills and have a safety net. I would love to make video content and live stream all the time but like I said before... It sounds like excuses and maybe I need to cut my job hours just to pursue art but the consequences of that in the long run.
I feel you. But if you dont have kids or family yet, I think you can make it. I used to wake up at 5am to draw and paint for 2 to 3 hours before I get ready for my full time job. I've done that for 2 years until I'm more satisfied with my skills. It's important to prioritize the things that mean a lot to you first day in the morning so that your energy is focused there. As you've said you're already exhausted by the time you went home so do your art as soon as you wake up. Remind yourself what's more important. We all have the time, we just need to prioritize.
I totally felt when you mentioned all the things holding you back from your self-made deadlines. Thats where Im at right now and the frustration I feel not being able to put a lot of time into my art has been overwhelming. We will have our time for art back again. This season will pass.
Thank you for another great talk!! While I haven't exactly been worrying that my "art career" isn't taking off, per se, (since I'm really only considering myself a dabbler of art right now), this video had a lot of great reminders that could be applied to other things in life....also, I just want to reassure you that at 23, you are already crushing it. Seriously. I wish I had half of your good sense at that age!!
Damn, life as an artist is really confusing, but in general life is confusing. Thank you so much, this is incredibly valuable. I'm feel inspired, confused, frustrated. I'm terrifed and excited for what the future holds. Sometimes it feels that you have no control over your life, which is ridiculous, you have the control! But... I don't know, is just frustrating, i know i'm not doing enough, i just don't know what to do...
You've become so good at explaining things to people. It's amazing to see someone at such an early age becoming a great artist. And I am also following someone who was inspired by you and is becoming great just like you. Congratulations and thank you.
Props to you ACTUALLY talking about accountability here!! I love how you mention if something isn’t working then it’s on you because tooooo many content creators act like all you have to do to succeed is put yourself out there and you’ll be an instant success! Which is why so many people give up and act like they failed because they want to blame everything on everything else BUT them when they barely even gave it a fair shot, like posting their work and if within two weeks nothing sells they shut down their shop. It’s ridiculous! I’m glad you’re talking about these things though because this whole entire generation of people don’t understand what it really takes to make it work!
Gurllll you the "I wish someone would just come into my life and clearly point out to me where I need to go" person that I've been crying about the past 5 years 🤧🤧🤧🤧 Thank you!
Oh wow I needed this! Thank you so much Kelsey ❤ I have been very impatient lately because I see a lot of youtube artists' channel taking off too fast, like less than a year and I am doing this for almost a year now and I don't see the growth I expected to see when I started making videos 😢 But I realized that those small group of people who subscribed to my channel saw something they see is valuable in their lives, and that is enough for me. I am really really grateful. I got reminded that I don't do this just to attract new subscribers but also put content for the ones I already have ❤ I treasure each and everyone of them! Thank you for reminding us to be patient. And that slow growth is still growth and that we have to prioritize our skills growth rather than the numbers. I was guilty of seeking for the "magic recipe" when clearly there is none. And that I just have to work real hard for it and be patient ❤ Whenever I feel giving up, I'll remember you Kelsey and how you've made it ❤ I'm also been listening to a lot of audiobooks and podcasts about self-improvement and I think they help to keep me motivated and at peace with my mind and heart. Thank you again for this video and more to you and all the aspiring artists out there! Please remember you are not alone with this struggle ❤
You are awesome for making this video, Kelsey! Your honesty is so refreshing. As an artist that is home drawing or painting not talking to very many other artists, I really need you and your channel ☺ so thank you, fellow artist!! 🙏👏🌻
Thank you for the video! It's yet another reminder for me about how all people are so different. I have always prioritized skills first, and my mindset was "the audacity to market yourself when your art is ugly!". I looked down on those who started drawing just yesterday and already want to take commissions and etc. It's fair to say I was just as ruthless towards myself and pushing myself out of the picture just to wait for "a moment when my art is perfect" wasn't the best experience. So now I have great skills that I want to improve even more, but only recently have I started to market myself. I think I could've used many opportunities even earlier when my art wasn't as good as it is now. So yeah, it's funny how we all have different beliefs, mindsets and etc.
"You don't have to get all the answers now" omg, thank you! It's the thing i really needed to hear since months... Very often we are so hard with ourselves. Btw, Thank yooouu Kelsey!
Thank you for your continued insights and honesty about the art industry. I really appreciate your “tips and tricks” (such as it is) interspersed with some real life reality checks. It’s good to know that there’s a rainbow after the rain… but it’s also good to know when to pack an umbrella. Keep up the great work!
Welcome to my Friday, Kelsey. Thank you for being here, and for providing all that you do to this platform. HOLYSHIT! I just realized that you’ve got 155K Subscribers now! I remember when you were hoping to reach 8K, which was NOT that long ago! CONGRATULATIONS!! I hope that you’re still able to maintain your balance and your wellbeing at this stage of your career, making sure to take care of your needs so you will truly be able to make this a sustainable (and increasingly successful) business. YAY for you!!! If I could dance, I’d be Happy Dancing right now over your success - you give us fledgelings a bit of wind under our wings.
It’s crazy the difference a year makes! Thank you as always for watching Monica :) It’s thanks to viewers like you that this is my job now, and I’ll always be grateful 🥰💕
@@KelseyRodriguez Crazy? Maybe. I like to think that, rather than crazy, it’s more a matter of good planning and strategic execution that got you this far. You’d set out some goals for yourself (I know, because you’d shared them), wrestling with yourself on the rough days, and - finally, after lots of time and energy - you’re beginning to realize the fruits of your labor. So, yeah, I guess it is kinda crazy that you managed to be the one who didn’t give up. 😀 Watching you grow is so much more interesting than watching paint dry. 😀
You and Adam Duff always have uncanny timing when it comes to relevant topics/problems I'm having! Thank you for this lovely video, it solidified all these thoughts and realizations I've been having.
Damnn 23! I am 37 and trying to living from art! Sometimes it's frustrating, but videos like this make me energized é fell better. Art is not my full-time job, I don't have choice but take it slowly. Oh, someday make a vídeo about beeing to old to make art. You can interview older artists if you fell good about it. I don't know.. just a suggestion. Thanks for the video. Love your work! Hugs from Brazil!
Thank you Kelsey for sharing your experiences. ❤ The journey is so important, and we tend to forget it, as we try to rush things and being discourage thinking that we don’t improve, while we should look at the big picture to see how much already we did. ✨
You definitely touched on a point I have been thinking of a lot. Sometimes I get impatient with the speed of an art business. Then I remember how much I love art and know it's a lifelong journey 😇
Hi Kelsey, hope your feeling much better. Just found you and I’m so glad. I really needed this. I go off on a tangent with my art and then my tangents have other tangents I end up going off on. This was a real ‘woah! What are you doing? Moment. Totally brought me back. Thank you. X
God bless you Kelsey... Honestly. I adore your vantage point and it helps me stay patient with myself, too! I would also add (someone told me this) make sure 90% of your to-do list is things that will actually help drive SALES. In the beginning, that looked a lot like just painting hours on end. But now it's things like my email lead magnet, growing my TH-cam channel, and releasing textile collections! Lots of people get stuck on business cards before they have enough profit to even PAY for them... That's something that doesn't belong on your to do list until you are having people ask for them. Hope that example helps! Let's get it, y'all!
thank you for this, Kelsey! I feel like this is another video i will be rewatching every few months when i freak out about my pace of growth. Thank you for what you do
I really appreciate the solid, genuine, helpful advice presented as lovingly as you did it. Big fan of persistent and gradual progress, I might be stuck because I should be implementing it more. Thank you for all your help :)
It's really refreshing to hear someoone with a large audience saying that hashtag strategy, hacking the algorithm etc is pointless. I have fallen victim to trying to get views rather than actually improving my art and I think I needed to hear someone say that. Thanks 😁
This is the first time I've watched your videos. I must say that you are a very special young lady. Just to hear you speak has given me a reason to keep pushing ahead. Thank you and God bless you Kelsey!!! keep looking forward.
Kelsey, It is beginning to come to the point to me going directly to your channel for almost anything on my mind arts related, knowing I can find some value. I can paint some things, and my art/channel is more photo and editing, however I find your content informative no matter what kind of art or creative person you are directing it to. You are talented in your communication and thought process and I do appreciate every piece of content you put out. Never stop sharing yourself with the world and building up others. Thanks for being awesome, DT
Love your honesty and openness to talking about your own experiences as an artist! Keep it up Kelsey 👍 we're all in the same boat and we really appreciate having voices like yours out there which gives us encouragement and inspiration to keep on painting ❤️
Having done art full time for ten years, I completely agree with you on the putting the business first holding back your art because I absolutely did that and then had to struggle through unlearned skills which was totally on me and is still hard to balance. And as for the working hard on the wrong things, I feel like I did that for SO may years until I was able to get more clarity on where I wanted to go. Being wary of going toward a career you simply like the idea of, but wouldn't actually want to do is huge. Knowing what you want takes time and trial and error a a willingness to be humble and look within. I've personally found that the career I want aligns so much with how I function as a person and since I came to terms with that, my career has absolutely started to further line up with my personal needs. Your work is lovely! Lots of good energy on your continued path and thank you for making such an honest video!
So good!! Just what I needed. I recently decided I am going to turn my art into a business and I’m so guilty of being impatient. So I’m just doing what I can (now at the end of summer break) with kids running around and coming up with a plan rather than being 10 steps ahead of that plan and wasting time and money (that website will come eventually). Thanks again and many hugs to you and blessings on your business and art endeavours 🌸💚
I'm really glad I found your channel. good advice from someone in-the-know and also your words just make me feel better lol. It's so hard to be a solo artist, hope it continues to go well for you :)
AMAZING ADVICE. Straightforward and so real that’s it’s comforting. This is not a “do this do that” video. I love hearing true personal experience stories with here’s what I did, here’s what I could have done or maybe you could do… it’s more helpful because no one path is exactly the same! Love it.
What I love about you is that you just feel like a real person. It’s great that you’ve been able to grow. I watched you video awhile back about quitting social media, and I haven’t yet, but I think I’m about to. I hope your prints and channel take off, but I also hope your career is long and fulfilling ❤
Thank you so much for this Kelsey I really appreciate how vulnerable you were at the end - this is exactly how I've been feeling lately it's very frustrating especially being so impatient but we gotta keep going!! ❤️
i've been drawing/painting daily for a little over a month now... i still have that dream of pursuing art-as-career but i really do need to work on my skills first and so thats my current focus, and keep my day job for income for now
Hey Kelsey! Thanks for this video! There's always times lots of artists are hard on themselves when certain expectations in their heads are not similar to real life...such valuable message you put out! Grateful to you
This came at a perfect time for me. I’m relearning the fundamentals because I’ve taken too long a hiatus, but I know I want to be an independent artist but I want to build an audience as well. Being independent gives me more creative freedom but I have bills to pay so I’m currently looking to figure out what I can do as an artist that’s freelance
This is really valuable advice - something I noticed recently was I was putting a lot of energy into marketing my art, convincing people to buy my art...when in reality I actually didn't have enough art available for people to buy - I deprioritised the essence of being an artist, making artwork! It's easy to do in this era when the message for creatives is of growing your social media pages is constantly reinforced
This is pretty much everything I needed to hear. I'm 10 years into my side hustle art business and I'm so close to being able to support myself 100% financially and I'm just screaming and why am I not there already. I am drawing less and less as the years go on as I develop skills all my business skills and start to ignore my artwork and people want to see more from me and I'm just not drawing. People discount advice from Gen Z creators and I just find the perspective so damn refreshing. Thank you Kelsey
Hi Kelsey, I definitely resonate with the last point on struggling to be patient with yourself. I’m 24 and I think it also has to do with this particular decade in one’s life. I can imagine the amazing advantage you now have with this audience that you’ve lovingly and painstakingly built. Keep up content like this, the tone of voice you use is effective. Nick
I am coming up to an year in May since I quit my day job and decided to be a fulll time artist. I have seen no income, very little in fact, and I think I have stretched myself too thin that each revenue is just not making enough on their own or in a combination.
What really helped me was focusing almost all of my spare energy on building up one income stream (for me, TH-cam) and then very gradually adding on one at a time when I could. Wishing you the best of luck
@@KelseyRodriguez Thank you and that is a very good advice. I will do that. For me it is premade covers for artists, I make more money from that. YT is just starting off for me on the monetization aspect.
I guess all I needed was knowing that someone out there is also faceing the same problem as me. It's kinda comforting. Hope things get better for the everyone out there. Cheers!
Thank you for this video. I've been freelancing for 3 years and this year isn't shaping up the way I want it to, so I've been doubting what I'm doing. But this last month I stepped away from the more business minded side of things, and just been doing studies and trying to improve my skills. You gave me what I needed to hear with this.
I love watching these videos even though I have no intention of taking any of this fantastic advice into actual practice. Just feel like I'm adding good stuff to my head either way.
My main problem is being impatient and when I learn something I rush it to learn something else because in my mind I feel like if I don't do it I end up feeling regretful. I honestly think every day about what artist I really want to be because my interest change a lot and I want to do it all. I realize I am not getting younger and I already had all these goals at the age of 14 and yet being an adult now I have no idea what to do...
Thank you, Kelsey. I really needed this advice. It's been really disheartening with just how slow my business is. Even though I know I'm just at the beginning stages right now, I can't help but feel saddened at the fact that it's really not picking up yet. But I am in it for the long haul. And I will keep plugging away at it slowly. But like you said, I need to take time for myself, my life and also my art. I still have lots to learn and improve on. So, thank you for your very informative and well spoken videos. Please take care. Wish you all the best.
I always thought of fulfillment as a feeling you get when you help other people; I NEVER heard about being creatively fulfilled until this video! This has completely changed my perspective on art making in a good way. Thank you for sharing this! 🖤
Great advice. Technically I feel like a lot of artists know most of what you're saying but you made the message so clear. And I personally needed to hear that. Thank you.
This was very VERY helpful. I thought I needed to use a specific hashtag or certain songs that were popular, etc. But now that I think about it, I haven't prioritized my art skills; I've just been doing what's trendy. By doing so, I burn myself out and don't post for a week or so. Maybe I am rushing my journey bc I hate my full-time job so much.
I've decided to pursue my dream to be an artist 4 years ago and I still haven't been able to leave my 8-5 job, sometimes I feel really bad about it but this video Made me think that it can take Time and that's OK. Thank you for this amazing advice 💞
Kelsey, I know you said you're frustrated right now. and I love your honesty and sharing these issues. I wish I had had the clarity of mind and desire at 23 around art and business that you have. I've only managed to start developing it now, at 56. I wouldn't trade any of the experiences put myself in, but... I'd be in a very different place had I known how to analyze how to get where I wanted to go when I first realized where I wanted to go. LOL Starting now is a very different feeling than it would have been had I had an extra 33 years to take this journey.
Hello Kelsey, great to hear you say ( and recognize) that you have all your life ahead of you. Smart. I on the other hand am on the other side of the spectrum. I never had a set career out of high school ( I graduated in 1982 and didn't have a clue what to do with myself). Lets speed it up the two weeks before Christmas going into the your of 2000... I got hired and fired many times in between and so I opened up my own shop in downtown Winnipeg, "Pencil Portraits by Al". I learned how to draw portraits out of a book and so at 38 years of age I had my own portrait studio. Mind you I had to work odd jobs to make ends meet and still do... I would like to say Kelsey that over the course of our decades here on jolly green planet earth we change. Our perspective changes, our interests in art changes. What I am saying is I started out as a pencil portrait artist and now I travel with a caravan as a caricature artist. We travel giving small towns of Manitoba festival rides and games. In short , try a variety of art medias, it could be that the artist is getting bored and doesn't know what to do. I always liked to do other medias but my true love is portraiture. Caricatures is fun as I found my own style but I am trying out other "wild' caricature styles. For those that feel heart broken about their career in art...Please...do what you like such as playing guitar... don't let you passion pass away. Realize also you make not have to make a living at the art gig. Accept that. Also know you have other gifts in you. We all have a variety of talents to bless others with. It is just a matter of time. It took me 38 years to find my gifts and anothe 22 to develope them! and you know what... I am still learing WHO I AM. Press on , Press on!
Wow thank you so much...its a lot like ALOT ALOT to put yourself out there like this.... honestly learning that you and me are the same age was mind-blowing, i feel so heard and seen through your videos, im trying to figure my life and everything out.... Being realistic is so key in developing, and i am so grateful i had the privilege to see your content.... I appreciate your advice and whenever i have my stuff together i want to support you and your journey too, keep up your amazing work and just thank you for making this content for us! ❤😊
Hey! I used to think, I wanted to start a channel about art, but after listening to you, I am thinking maybe I should not do a channel not in art. I have been painting on and off all my life, and I am not sure, I even want to pursue promoting my art It's too personal, and no one ever wants to buy art anyway! I don't want to post on IG 5X a day X7, and If I YT , I need to post once a week. That leaves 52 scripts. I don't have enough in my head to write 52 scripts about my art or anyone's art! So I will just keep watching you, painting when I have time and make money doing something else!
Damn Kelsey! That video was like a personal phone call! I was thinking last week exactly that problem! I don't know what instinct led you create this video, but it was like you talked to me!
Well said Kelsey, and Congratulations for paving your own path / setting your own pace. Great confirmation and reassurance for many of us I dare say. Thank you :) xxx
I 100% agree. I've found that since focusing on basics it's making art fun again and takes the pressure off. I constantly ask myself, do I want to be seen as a good artist or be a good artist? I've put the social media grind on hold to focus on other things that art more important, art being one of them. Dope advice Kelsey!
Thought I was reaching my potential in my career until I watched this! There's a lot of room to change and focus my energy better. Thank you for this insightful and earnest video.
I can relate to this so hard right now, a few weeks ago I almost hit emotional breakdown level, freaking about what kind of job to have by the end of the year etc because this is my last year of uni, but I had to tell myself all of this too.
I, as a 26 year old is humbled by you. I have a v3ry impatient personality and have been that way since I've born. But I'm trying really hard to plan and space out what I need to do for my career. It's taken so long, and at a certain point, my mental health went down. So, having that time to take a step back really helps, and I'm trying to do it right this time around. Like I said, I'm only 26 and hopefully have my whole life to do art, and thankfully I have a job that I like even if it doesn't pay well. But at the same time, that's what makes me feel rushed at times, because as we all knows we need money to pay the bills. Your channel has helped me a lot and I hope 1 you feel better and 2 continue to do this for a really long time.😊💜
Art career? More like commercial artist. I already tried it. It failed. People took all of my art away on disk and never got back to me and a lot of negative things happened, despite me having contracts and a site etc, and I'd even been trained to be a commercial artist on a course. A.I art being here and made common invalidates a lot of effort from art creators too now, so it's soon to be even more difficult, after all why should anyone pay you a few $100 for something that will basically cost them nothing. I started drawing at 25 and practiced constantly, drawing people and everything else I could, for years. I got paid less than $100 in my entire art 'career', despite trying my hardest, day after day, even falling asleep on my computer where I was trying to make art for so long and so intensely. A lot is down to privilege, expectation and how much more outgoing you are to make contacts than any other thing. You don't even need to make great art to get paid, you just need to have the appearance of being very sociable and nice and approachable, and accommodating. That's my take away from the whole thing, now that I'm in my 50's, and having met many other artists. Someone even bought a painting from another artist I knew, because they wanted 'something blue for the conservatory'. If you don't get to attend shows with your art. if people haven't met you, if you don't have the sort of art they 'feel' is right, then you don't get the job, and you don't get paid. That goes for you and your art, no matter how professional, and how great your art might be, or even how well advertised it is. In a country that's small, like the UK, you see the sheer saturation of artists, and you see how much more approachable a lot of them are, or have learned to be compared to yourself, and slowly, but surely, your find your place isn't there, where you want to be. I've never even owned a passport, nor have I even owned a car, so can't display anywhere else. As I say it's somewhat about privilege too. I have to depend on online only, or exhibitions which accept that you can't answer any questions in person as you can't be there, and previously could only answer things by phone, as today's media landscape is widely different from when I started. For some people, they have the magic ingredients for the kind of clients who approach them, and the life situation is good enough, or the luck or whatever it is that no-one can really define outside of privilege, appearance, and the other elements I've mentioned here, and for others, the starving artist archetype is real, and it's a place you might end up too.
Wonderful video! I am making the best art of my life and just now realized that I must build a community around my work. You made me realise that TH-cam is a very good way to do just that. Thanks! One Love!
Thank you so much for this video. I'm at a point in my life where I want to do EVERYTHING at once. And I know that that's not how it goes I can't wake up and accomplish magically all the goals I have set for myself. Making art and being creative are the biggest parts of my life and I will LOVE to make an income our of it. However it is not the time for that right now. I have to prioratise other things to get to where I want to be. And that's okay. I for sure need to as well calm down my inpatience as well. Thanks again I really needed this ❤
I have a super successful family, some are scientists, successful artists and good jobs, except me. I was the only one to have minimum wage jobs and no successful business or artistic career, so you can imagine how I feel. You can feel everyone treating you like a loser and not a serious person. Sometimes I feel really lonely and desperate thinking I even stopped painting and drawing because I felt like I would never come to nothing.
Thanks.There is an "art institute" that promises that you'll have it all set up in one year. They have a few students who did graduate and have an audience and a functioning website and prints and sell their paintings. It made me think I should have been able to do this. Photoshop was a huge problem for me. I bought a large expensive printer and got photoshop and thought I would just start printing. It took me six months to figure it out enough. I took weeks to even figure out how to use a basic camera to photograph my art properly. I soared with the actual painting, but being a technophobe my whole life held me back a lot. Some people it is their people skills.
I know what you mean about things conspiring against you lol, I've had to put all of my life and career goals on hold since 2020 because of chronic illness (I also relate to the family problems) I hope I can get better, but in the mean time watching your videos has really helped me feel somewhat productive whilst I've been really frustrated at my lack of productivity, I relate to you a lot (I'm 24) so I always look forward to your videos so thank you for doing what you do ❤
TH-cam is experimenting with a new podcast feature so I've put some of my chattier videos (this one included) in a special playlist for you if you're looking to have something run in the background while you work :) th-cam.com/play/PLoo0DnvsjPWJOLTW-6Fg74JE8i1g05zF6.html
This video is just what I needed as validation to take it slow. Art is truly something that cannot be rushed and by trying to commercialize it too quickly I’m robbing myself of the process of experimentation and discovery. How can I even begin to sell my art when I don’t even have a full grasp of who I am as an artist? I am still building the foundation that I need to carry me for years to come. I used to feel a little embarrassed because I thought not posting my art= I failed and gave up, but I’m practicing in private and feel so much more ease and freedom that way because I don’t need people to see me creating art in order to feel like an artist. Also, when you’re trying to build an audience, people WILL expect cohesiveness for your art and experimentation is almost an anti-thesis to cohesiveness.
That's very true! There's a lot more freedom to try new things and work on your skills when you don't have the pressure of an audience or creating content. I've tried to push back against that urge to play it safe in my own content and just release things like prints and originals when they're ready, despite all the pressure to release things earlier. I want to say that you can still experiment while growing an audience but it's definitely harder :'(
I agree, this is where I am at right now too. I never thought i could actually have a career in Art so I never went after it and now it's all I think about at 38. I have lots of feelings of regret and imposter syndrome because my art is not consistent yet but I am allowing myself to take it slow and just make things. I hope to someday be as well thought out and planned as Kelsey but man, it's hard not to feel like its "too late" even tho dear lord 38 is not too late - these little things we tell ourselves! Anyways, I still post things to my instagram right now even though its not cohesive but it helps me feel like ok good i did another thing. Somedays I do wonder if I need to clean it up or start it over but idk
Another good question you can ask yourself is:
"Is my career failing or just stagnating for like a month and i am overreacting?"
Agreed! That definitely falls into the patience category, there will be seasonality to your art career for sure
Hey Kelsey, your art career is a roller coaster. Trust me, I've been a professional for close to 50 years. You can do this. You are already doing this. I'm one of the work horses with little notoriety, but I have made a living from my art enough to put a roof over my head for a long time. I learn from you and others coming into yet another, "brave new world." of art. I am in a bit of a down turn right now, but the work is everything. Trust in developing your skills - I've been working on mine for a long time, and it is a task that never ends. Luckily - we don't want it to. Keep it up and thank you for the pep talk.
as someone who is very early on in their career, there is a persistent fear of "what if this doesn't work out?" or "what if I'm not good enough?" I just graduated in december and have started to really focus on social media. I've gained a substantial following on instagram and just got monetized on youtube, but there's still a lingering doom for this to end somehow, or what I should be doing next. but your notion that we don't have to have everything figured out right away, and that I should just enjoy the process and take it easy is really comforting. and if I am stagnating, taking your tips into consideration and applying them to my career is valuable as well. thank you kelsey, and I hope you get well soon! take it easy, and we'll be ready for you when you're back in your groove :)
Dear Kelsey, you are only 23 years old but you help and inspire a lot this 42 years old "frustrated artist" to keep going ❤
"Slow but steady " probably one of the best art advices I've heard recently 👍 thanks Kelsey!
You have no idea how much I neeeeeded to listen to the whole "it takes time, and its okay" I'm so anxious, I have been feeling depressed because I feel like Im not doing things fast enough or that It isn't good enough.
Thank u
I know what I need to do but that would mean not having a full time job. I don't have much if any time to improve my skills right now because of said job taking up all my time. By the time I get off work...I'm so mentally exhausted that I don't have any energy to do anything. I need to pay the bills and have a safety net. I would love to make video content and live stream all the time but like I said before... It sounds like excuses and maybe I need to cut my job hours just to pursue art but the consequences of that in the long run.
I feel you. But if you dont have kids or family yet, I think you can make it. I used to wake up at 5am to draw and paint for 2 to 3 hours before I get ready for my full time job. I've done that for 2 years until I'm more satisfied with my skills. It's important to prioritize the things that mean a lot to you first day in the morning so that your energy is focused there. As you've said you're already exhausted by the time you went home so do your art as soon as you wake up. Remind yourself what's more important. We all have the time, we just need to prioritize.
I totally felt when you mentioned all the things holding you back from your self-made deadlines. Thats where Im at right now and the frustration I feel not being able to put a lot of time into my art has been overwhelming. We will have our time for art back again. This season will pass.
Thank you for another great talk!! While I haven't exactly been worrying that my "art career" isn't taking off, per se, (since I'm really only considering myself a dabbler of art right now), this video had a lot of great reminders that could be applied to other things in life....also, I just want to reassure you that at 23, you are already crushing it. Seriously. I wish I had half of your good sense at that age!!
Damn, life as an artist is really confusing, but in general life is confusing. Thank you so much, this is incredibly valuable. I'm feel inspired, confused, frustrated. I'm terrifed and excited for what the future holds. Sometimes it feels that you have no control over your life, which is ridiculous, you have the control! But... I don't know, is just frustrating, i know i'm not doing enough, i just don't know what to do...
Life has a way of getting in the way of our creativity.
You've become so good at explaining things to people. It's amazing to see someone at such an early age becoming a great artist. And I am also following someone who was inspired by you and is becoming great just like you. Congratulations and thank you.
Props to you ACTUALLY talking about accountability here!! I love how you mention if something isn’t working then it’s on you because tooooo many content creators act like all you have to do to succeed is put yourself out there and you’ll be an instant success! Which is why so many people give up and act like they failed because they want to blame everything on everything else BUT them when they barely even gave it a fair shot, like posting their work and if within two weeks nothing sells they shut down their shop. It’s ridiculous!
I’m glad you’re talking about these things though because this whole entire generation of people don’t understand what it really takes to make it work!
Gurllll you the "I wish someone would just come into my life and clearly point out to me where I need to go" person that I've been crying about the past 5 years 🤧🤧🤧🤧 Thank you!
Oh wow I needed this! Thank you so much Kelsey ❤ I have been very impatient lately because I see a lot of youtube artists' channel taking off too fast, like less than a year and I am doing this for almost a year now and I don't see the growth I expected to see when I started making videos 😢 But I realized that those small group of people who subscribed to my channel saw something they see is valuable in their lives, and that is enough for me. I am really really grateful. I got reminded that I don't do this just to attract new subscribers but also put content for the ones I already have ❤ I treasure each and everyone of them! Thank you for reminding us to be patient. And that slow growth is still growth and that we have to prioritize our skills growth rather than the numbers. I was guilty of seeking for the "magic recipe" when clearly there is none. And that I just have to work real hard for it and be patient ❤
Whenever I feel giving up, I'll remember you Kelsey and how you've made it ❤
I'm also been listening to a lot of audiobooks and podcasts about self-improvement and I think they help to keep me motivated and at peace with my mind and heart.
Thank you again for this video and more to you and all the aspiring artists out there! Please remember you are not alone with this struggle ❤
You are awesome for making this video, Kelsey! Your honesty is so refreshing. As an artist that is home drawing or painting not talking to very many other artists, I really need you and your channel ☺ so thank you, fellow artist!! 🙏👏🌻
Thank you for the video! It's yet another reminder for me about how all people are so different. I have always prioritized skills first, and my mindset was "the audacity to market yourself when your art is ugly!". I looked down on those who started drawing just yesterday and already want to take commissions and etc. It's fair to say I was just as ruthless towards myself and pushing myself out of the picture just to wait for "a moment when my art is perfect" wasn't the best experience. So now I have great skills that I want to improve even more, but only recently have I started to market myself. I think I could've used many opportunities even earlier when my art wasn't as good as it is now. So yeah, it's funny how we all have different beliefs, mindsets and etc.
Thanks!
Of course
"You don't have to get all the answers now"
omg, thank you! It's the thing i really needed to hear since months...
Very often we are so hard with ourselves.
Btw, Thank yooouu Kelsey!
Thank you for your continued insights and honesty about the art industry. I really appreciate your “tips and tricks” (such as it is) interspersed with some real life reality checks. It’s good to know that there’s a rainbow after the rain… but it’s also good to know when to pack an umbrella. Keep up the great work!
Welcome to my Friday, Kelsey. Thank you for being here, and for providing all that you do to this platform. HOLYSHIT! I just realized that you’ve got 155K Subscribers now! I remember when you were hoping to reach 8K, which was NOT that long ago! CONGRATULATIONS!! I hope that you’re still able to maintain your balance and your wellbeing at this stage of your career, making sure to take care of your needs so you will truly be able to make this a sustainable (and increasingly successful) business. YAY for you!!! If I could dance, I’d be Happy Dancing right now over your success - you give us fledgelings a bit of wind under our wings.
It’s crazy the difference a year makes! Thank you as always for watching Monica :) It’s thanks to viewers like you that this is my job now, and I’ll always be grateful 🥰💕
@@KelseyRodriguez Crazy? Maybe. I like to think that, rather than crazy, it’s more a matter of good planning and strategic execution that got you this far. You’d set out some goals for yourself (I know, because you’d shared them), wrestling with yourself on the rough days, and - finally, after lots of time and energy - you’re beginning to realize the fruits of your labor. So, yeah, I guess it is kinda crazy that you managed to be the one who didn’t give up. 😀 Watching you grow is so much more interesting than watching paint dry. 😀
You and Adam Duff always have uncanny timing when it comes to relevant topics/problems I'm having! Thank you for this lovely video, it solidified all these thoughts and realizations I've been having.
Damnn 23! I am 37 and trying to living from art! Sometimes it's frustrating, but videos like this make me energized é fell better. Art is not my full-time job, I don't have choice but take it slowly.
Oh, someday make a vídeo about beeing to old to make art. You can interview older artists if you fell good about it. I don't know.. just a suggestion.
Thanks for the video. Love your work! Hugs from Brazil!
Thank you Kelsey for sharing your experiences. ❤ The journey is so important, and we tend to forget it, as we try to rush things and being discourage thinking that we don’t improve, while we should look at the big picture to see how much already we did. ✨
You definitely touched on a point I have been thinking of a lot. Sometimes I get impatient with the speed of an art business. Then I remember how much I love art and know it's a lifelong journey 😇
Hi Kelsey, hope your feeling much better. Just found you and I’m so glad. I really needed this. I go off on a tangent with my art and then my tangents have other tangents I end up going off on. This was a real ‘woah! What are you doing? Moment. Totally brought me back. Thank you. X
God bless you Kelsey... Honestly. I adore your vantage point and it helps me stay patient with myself, too! I would also add (someone told me this) make sure 90% of your to-do list is things that will actually help drive SALES. In the beginning, that looked a lot like just painting hours on end. But now it's things like my email lead magnet, growing my TH-cam channel, and releasing textile collections! Lots of people get stuck on business cards before they have enough profit to even PAY for them... That's something that doesn't belong on your to do list until you are having people ask for them. Hope that example helps! Let's get it, y'all!
thank you for this, Kelsey! I feel like this is another video i will be rewatching every few months when i freak out about my pace of growth. Thank you for what you do
I really appreciate the solid, genuine, helpful advice presented as lovingly as you did it. Big fan of persistent and gradual progress, I might be stuck because I should be implementing it more. Thank you for all your help :)
It's really refreshing to hear someoone with a large audience saying that hashtag strategy, hacking the algorithm etc is pointless. I have fallen victim to trying to get views rather than actually improving my art and I think I needed to hear someone say that. Thanks 😁
This is the first time I've watched your videos. I must say that you are a very special young lady. Just to hear you speak has given me a reason to keep pushing ahead. Thank you and God bless you Kelsey!!! keep looking forward.
Coming to your channel (especially when in overwhelm) is such a nice breath of air. You keep a lot of us hopeful and working, thank you!
Kelsey,
It is beginning to come to the point to me going directly to your channel for almost anything on my mind arts related, knowing I can find some value. I can paint some things, and my art/channel is more photo and editing, however I find your content informative no matter what kind of art or creative person you are directing it to. You are talented in your communication and thought process and I do appreciate every piece of content you put out. Never stop sharing yourself with the world and building up others.
Thanks for being awesome,
DT
Love u Kelsey your so awesome!!! Sorry your sick hope u get to feeling better.
Love your honesty and openness to talking about your own experiences as an artist! Keep it up Kelsey 👍 we're all in the same boat and we really appreciate having voices like yours out there which gives us encouragement and inspiration to keep on painting ❤️
Having done art full time for ten years, I completely agree with you on the putting the business first holding back your art because I absolutely did that and then had to struggle through unlearned skills which was totally on me and is still hard to balance.
And as for the working hard on the wrong things, I feel like I did that for SO may years until I was able to get more clarity on where I wanted to go. Being wary of going toward a career you simply like the idea of, but wouldn't actually want to do is huge. Knowing what you want takes time and trial and error a a willingness to be humble and look within. I've personally found that the career I want aligns so much with how I function as a person and since I came to terms with that, my career has absolutely started to further line up with my personal needs. Your work is lovely! Lots of good energy on your continued path and thank you for making such an honest video!
So good!! Just what I needed. I recently decided I am going to turn my art into a business and I’m so guilty of being impatient. So I’m just doing what I can (now at the end of summer break) with kids running around and coming up with a plan rather than being 10 steps ahead of that plan and wasting time and money (that website will come eventually). Thanks again and many hugs to you and blessings on your business and art endeavours 🌸💚
I'm really glad I found your channel. good advice from someone in-the-know and also your words just make me feel better lol. It's so hard to be a solo artist, hope it continues to go well for you :)
Out of all of the videos I have watched about starting an art business. THIS was the most helpful. Thank you ❤
This is what I need! Thank you Kelsey :)
AMAZING ADVICE. Straightforward and so real that’s it’s comforting. This is not a “do this do that” video. I love hearing true personal experience stories with here’s what I did, here’s what I could have done or maybe you could do… it’s more helpful because no one path is exactly the same! Love it.
What I love about you is that you just feel like a real person. It’s great that you’ve been able to grow. I watched you video awhile back about quitting social media, and I haven’t yet, but I think I’m about to. I hope your prints and channel take off, but I also hope your career is long and fulfilling ❤
your advice is so useful, been feeling discouraged lately but this helps
Thank you Kelsey for great pointers! Always happy to find your new video uploads!
Thank you so much for this Kelsey I really appreciate how vulnerable you were at the end - this is exactly how I've been feeling lately it's very frustrating especially being so impatient but we gotta keep going!! ❤️
I love your content. Everytime I have issues or start having doubts, you always have the right video to help me keep going.
You are absolutely incredible. Thanks for being.
i've been drawing/painting daily for a little over a month now... i still have that dream of pursuing art-as-career but i really do need to work on my skills first and so thats my current focus, and keep my day job for income for now
Hey Kelsey! Thanks for this video! There's always times lots of artists are hard on themselves when certain expectations in their heads are not similar to real life...such valuable message you put out! Grateful to you
This came at a perfect time for me. I’m relearning the fundamentals because I’ve taken too long a hiatus, but I know I want to be an independent artist but I want to build an audience as well. Being independent gives me more creative freedom but I have bills to pay so I’m currently looking to figure out what I can do as an artist that’s freelance
This is really valuable advice - something I noticed recently was I was putting a lot of energy into marketing my art, convincing people to buy my art...when in reality I actually didn't have enough art available for people to buy - I deprioritised the essence of being an artist, making artwork! It's easy to do in this era when the message for creatives is of growing your social media pages is constantly reinforced
This is pretty much everything I needed to hear. I'm 10 years into my side hustle art business and I'm so close to being able to support myself 100% financially and I'm just screaming and why am I not there already. I am drawing less and less as the years go on as I develop skills all my business skills and start to ignore my artwork and people want to see more from me and I'm just not drawing.
People discount advice from Gen Z creators and I just find the perspective so damn refreshing.
Thank you Kelsey
Hi Kelsey, I definitely resonate with the last point on struggling to be patient with yourself. I’m 24 and I think it also has to do with this particular decade in one’s life.
I can imagine the amazing advantage you now have with this audience that you’ve lovingly and painstakingly built. Keep up content like this, the tone of voice you use is effective.
Nick
I am coming up to an year in May since I quit my day job and decided to be a fulll time artist. I have seen no income, very little in fact, and I think I have stretched myself too thin that each revenue is just not making enough on their own or in a combination.
What really helped me was focusing almost all of my spare energy on building up one income stream (for me, TH-cam) and then very gradually adding on one at a time when I could. Wishing you the best of luck
@@KelseyRodriguez Thank you and that is a very good advice. I will do that. For me it is premade covers for artists, I make more money from that. YT is just starting off for me on the monetization aspect.
I love listening to you talk and you mostly seem to hit the right topics everytime. Wish you a great day and the inspiration to keep going.
I guess all I needed was knowing that someone out there is also faceing the same problem as me. It's kinda comforting. Hope things get better for the everyone out there. Cheers!
Thank you for this video. I've been freelancing for 3 years and this year isn't shaping up the way I want it to, so I've been doubting what I'm doing. But this last month I stepped away from the more business minded side of things, and just been doing studies and trying to improve my skills. You gave me what I needed to hear with this.
I love watching these videos even though I have no intention of taking any of this fantastic advice into actual practice. Just feel like I'm adding good stuff to my head either way.
My main problem is being impatient and when I learn something I rush it to learn something else because in my mind I feel like if I don't do it I end up feeling regretful. I honestly think every day about what artist I really want to be because my interest change a lot and I want to do it all. I realize I am not getting younger and I already had all these goals at the age of 14 and yet being an adult now I have no idea what to do...
Thank you, Kelsey. I really needed this advice. It's been really disheartening with just how slow my business is. Even though I know I'm just at the beginning stages right now, I can't help but feel saddened at the fact that it's really not picking up yet. But I am in it for the long haul. And I will keep plugging away at it slowly. But like you said, I need to take time for myself, my life and also my art. I still have lots to learn and improve on. So, thank you for your very informative and well spoken videos. Please take care. Wish you all the best.
Great video, thanks Kelsey!! Get well soon!!
I always thought of fulfillment as a feeling you get when you help other people; I NEVER heard about being creatively fulfilled until this video! This has completely changed my perspective on art making in a good way. Thank you for sharing this! 🖤
Great advice. Technically I feel like a lot of artists know most of what you're saying but you made the message so clear. And I personally needed to hear that. Thank you.
Good advice. Be kind to yourself too. Life always gets in the way. 😊
You are awesome. Keep doing what you are doing. You are helping so many people without knowing it. Thanks.
This was very VERY helpful. I thought I needed to use a specific hashtag or certain songs that were popular, etc. But now that I think about it, I haven't prioritized my art skills; I've just been doing what's trendy. By doing so, I burn myself out and don't post for a week or so. Maybe I am rushing my journey bc I hate my full-time job so much.
I've decided to pursue my dream to be an artist 4 years ago and I still haven't been able to leave my 8-5 job, sometimes I feel really bad about it but this video Made me think that it can take Time and that's OK. Thank you for this amazing advice 💞
Every point you hit on were literal home runs Kelsey - I thoroughly enjoyed this talk
aw thank you Adam! I still need to watch your interview with Jeremy but I'm really looking forward to it, glad I was able to introduce the two of you!
Well rest assured it’s an homage to your kindness and community leadership
This video appeared just at the right moment of my life, thank you very much
Kelsey, I know you said you're frustrated right now. and I love your honesty and sharing these issues. I wish I had had the clarity of mind and desire at 23 around art and business that you have. I've only managed to start developing it now, at 56. I wouldn't trade any of the experiences put myself in, but... I'd be in a very different place had I known how to analyze how to get where I wanted to go when I first realized where I wanted to go. LOL Starting now is a very different feeling than it would have been had I had an extra 33 years to take this journey.
Hello Kelsey, great to hear you say ( and recognize) that you have all your life ahead of you. Smart. I on the other hand am on the other side of the spectrum. I never had a set career out of high school ( I graduated in 1982 and didn't have a clue what to do with myself). Lets speed it up the two weeks before Christmas going into the your of 2000... I got hired and fired many times in between and so I opened up my own shop in downtown Winnipeg, "Pencil Portraits by Al". I learned how to draw portraits out of a book and so at 38 years of age I had my own portrait studio. Mind you I had to work odd jobs to make ends meet and still do... I would like to say Kelsey that over the course of our decades here on jolly green planet earth we change. Our perspective changes, our interests in art changes. What I am saying is I started out as a pencil portrait artist and now I travel with a caravan as a caricature artist. We travel giving small towns of Manitoba festival rides and games. In short , try a variety of art medias, it could be that the artist is getting bored and doesn't know what to do. I always liked to do other medias but my true love is portraiture. Caricatures is fun as I found my own style but I am trying out other "wild' caricature styles. For those that feel heart broken about their career in art...Please...do what you like such as playing guitar... don't let you passion pass away. Realize also you make not have to make a living at the art gig. Accept that. Also know you have other gifts in you. We all have a variety of talents to bless others with. It is just a matter of time. It took me 38 years to find my gifts and anothe 22 to develope them! and you know what... I am still learing WHO I AM. Press on , Press on!
Wow thank you so much...its a lot like ALOT ALOT to put yourself out there like this.... honestly learning that you and me are the same age was mind-blowing, i feel so heard and seen through your videos, im trying to figure my life and everything out.... Being realistic is so key in developing, and i am so grateful i had the privilege to see your content.... I appreciate your advice and whenever i have my stuff together i want to support you and your journey too, keep up your amazing work and just thank you for making this content for us! ❤😊
Love your sweater!!!!! Great advice too lol
Hey! I used to think, I wanted to start a channel about art, but after listening to you, I am thinking maybe I should not do a channel not in art. I have been painting on and off all my life, and I am not sure, I even want to pursue promoting my art It's too personal, and no one ever wants to buy art anyway! I don't want to post on IG 5X a day X7, and If I YT , I need to post once a week. That leaves 52 scripts. I don't have enough in my head to write 52 scripts about my art or anyone's art! So I will just keep watching you, painting when I have time and make money doing something else!
Damn Kelsey!
That video was like a personal phone call!
I was thinking last week exactly that problem!
I don't know what instinct led you create this video, but it was like you talked to me!
Well said Kelsey, and Congratulations for paving your own path / setting your own pace. Great confirmation and reassurance for many of us I dare say. Thank you :) xxx
I 100% agree. I've found that since focusing on basics it's making art fun again and takes the pressure off. I constantly ask myself, do I want to be seen as a good artist or be a good artist? I've put the social media grind on hold to focus on other things that art more important, art being one of them. Dope advice Kelsey!
Keep fighting , your doing amazing
You have no idea how valuable your advice is 🤧🙏🙏🙏 thanks so much!
Thought I was reaching my potential in my career until I watched this! There's a lot of room to change and focus my energy better. Thank you for this insightful and earnest video.
if it makes me happy playing with colours thats i think what i need , who cares what people think !
I can relate to this so hard right now, a few weeks ago I almost hit emotional breakdown level, freaking about what kind of job to have by the end of the year etc because this is my last year of uni, but I had to tell myself all of this too.
Thank you for this video! You 💯 described my situation at the very beginning 🙈😭
I, as a 26 year old is humbled by you. I have a v3ry impatient personality and have been that way since I've born. But I'm trying really hard to plan and space out what I need to do for my career. It's taken so long, and at a certain point, my mental health went down. So, having that time to take a step back really helps, and I'm trying to do it right this time around. Like I said, I'm only 26 and hopefully have my whole life to do art, and thankfully I have a job that I like even if it doesn't pay well. But at the same time, that's what makes me feel rushed at times, because as we all knows we need money to pay the bills.
Your channel has helped me a lot and I hope 1 you feel better and 2 continue to do this for a really long time.😊💜
You got this!❤❤ I started new masters academy bc of your channel!
You’re such a gem, Kelsey ✨🫶
Art career? More like commercial artist. I already tried it. It failed. People took all of my art away on disk and never got back to me and a lot of negative things happened, despite me having contracts and a site etc, and I'd even been trained to be a commercial artist on a course. A.I art being here and made common invalidates a lot of effort from art creators too now, so it's soon to be even more difficult, after all why should anyone pay you a few $100 for something that will basically cost them nothing.
I started drawing at 25 and practiced constantly, drawing people and everything else I could, for years. I got paid less than $100 in my entire art 'career', despite trying my hardest, day after day, even falling asleep on my computer where I was trying to make art for so long and so intensely.
A lot is down to privilege, expectation and how much more outgoing you are to make contacts than any other thing. You don't even need to make great art to get paid, you just need to have the appearance of being very sociable and nice and approachable, and accommodating. That's my take away from the whole thing, now that I'm in my 50's, and having met many other artists. Someone even bought a painting from another artist I knew, because they wanted 'something blue for the conservatory'.
If you don't get to attend shows with your art. if people haven't met you, if you don't have the sort of art they 'feel' is right, then you don't get the job, and you don't get paid. That goes for you and your art, no matter how professional, and how great your art might be, or even how well advertised it is.
In a country that's small, like the UK, you see the sheer saturation of artists, and you see how much more approachable a lot of them are, or have learned to be compared to yourself, and slowly, but surely, your find your place isn't there, where you want to be.
I've never even owned a passport, nor have I even owned a car, so can't display anywhere else. As I say it's somewhat about privilege too. I have to depend on online only, or exhibitions which accept that you can't answer any questions in person as you can't be there, and previously could only answer things by phone, as today's media landscape is widely different from when I started.
For some people, they have the magic ingredients for the kind of clients who approach them, and the life situation is good enough, or the luck or whatever it is that no-one can really define outside of privilege, appearance, and the other elements I've mentioned here, and for others, the starving artist archetype is real, and it's a place you might end up too.
"you don't have to have all the answers right now" thank youuu Kelsey! ✨
I really needed to hear this video… thank you for posting your thoughts. It helps a lot of people out there. Thank you so much ❤
I really appreciate your sincerity, excellent video 💖
Wonderful video! I am making the best art of my life and just now realized that I must build a community around my work. You made me realise that TH-cam is a very good way to do just that. Thanks! One Love!
Thank you very much Kelsey🥹🫶🏾
Thank you so much for this video. I'm at a point in my life where I want to do EVERYTHING at once. And I know that that's not how it goes I can't wake up and accomplish magically all the goals I have set for myself. Making art and being creative are the biggest parts of my life and I will LOVE to make an income our of it. However it is not the time for that right now. I have to prioratise other things to get to where I want to be. And that's okay. I for sure need to as well calm down my inpatience as well. Thanks again I really needed this ❤
I have a super successful family, some are scientists, successful artists and good jobs, except me. I was the only one to have minimum wage jobs and no successful business or artistic career, so you can imagine how I feel. You can feel everyone treating you like a loser and not a serious person. Sometimes I feel really lonely and desperate thinking I even stopped painting and drawing because I felt like I would never come to nothing.
Thanks.There is an "art institute" that promises that you'll have it all set up in one year. They have a few students who did graduate and have an audience and a functioning website and prints and sell their paintings. It made me think I should have been able to do this. Photoshop was a huge problem for me. I bought a large expensive printer and got photoshop and thought I would just start printing. It took me six months to figure it out enough. I took weeks to even figure out how to use a basic camera to photograph my art properly. I soared with the actual painting, but being a technophobe my whole life held me back a lot. Some people it is their people skills.
I know what you mean about things conspiring against you lol, I've had to put all of my life and career goals on hold since 2020 because of chronic illness (I also relate to the family problems) I hope I can get better, but in the mean time watching your videos has really helped me feel somewhat productive whilst I've been really frustrated at my lack of productivity, I relate to you a lot (I'm 24) so I always look forward to your videos so thank you for doing what you do ❤
Thank you Kelsey, for another video of wisdom for us aspiring artists. ❤
thanks for this video , its really helpful,