Don't Give Up As An Artist
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ธ.ค. 2024
- Just keep going, the moment you give up as an artist, then it is over... Just keep going. Support this channel by joining our Rogue Community on Patreon (We REALLY appreciate it): / rafiwashere
We have a bunch of FREE stuff for creative humans on our website (things like resources, a 6 hour Artist Masterclass, free courses, more videos, blogs, downloads, and who knows what else) in case you want more stuff from us: rogueartistcom...
Aaand if you want to know more about Rafi and Klee (That's us) or you want to support us by buying some art, jewelry, or other creation go to our website: rafiandklee.com/
Follow us on the socials, podcasts, and stuffs: rafiandklee.co...
I had a family member scoffs at my art, and tell me "you're a failure because you dropped out of college" same family member now sees how people react to my art,and now ask me" can I be your manager?" True story
That's AWESOME @kingsittystudios2400!
You ARE a failure
be your MANAGER???!!! they can be your employee!!!
Ha! I would tell that family member to shove it where the sun don’t shine. We don’t get to doubt people at the beginning and then be their guidance when they are successful.
I give up almost every day and then an hour later I forget that I’ve given up and get right back to it. Life is a marathon. It’s important to understand that momentary feelings pass. We all get down on ourselves. We all feel pressure to be better. Once you realize that art is worth it for the sake of art and nothing else, it becomes easier to just focus on the art in the moment and ignore the feelings of doubt.
So many artists need to hear this message, particularly those of us self-teaching and pursuing art independently, outside a formal school or gallery. That's why we love seeing career professionals like this who take the time to share their experiences with others, in a non-competitive, supportive way.
I love Blick!!! You guys gave me an award recently for my painting in the Del Mar Fair and it was soooooo needed lol!!! It was an ego boost that I desperately needed.. so thank you 💗
Oh and the painting was called ‘Persevere’ incidentally 🙏🏻
Yes😊 I'm self taught and enjoying the journey, at times it is challenging but it is always rewarding my heart.❤
@@lucymagee3654 We love hearing this! Thank you!
Holy sh*t, Blick is here!! 😂 Love you guys!
So relatable. People always tell me to paint landscapes because it will sell better than portraits but i like painting portraits. And it’s my art & I can paint whatever the he|| i want. 🤣
Whenever i feel like quitting,i just look back at my old drawings and then i notice my progress with time and i feel motivated again.
❤️❤️❤️
wish i could do the same, everytime i see my old art i realize how much skill i lost
Since I started I haven’t even attempted a drawing… been doing nothing but lines, squares, triangles and circles. I still hate the way just basic shapes turn out when I do them. Ugliest little lines I’ve ever seen.
@@moth_milk But you can! Just start again. Make a promise to yourself to work daily on your art. It's in the working that you'll improve!
@@rebeccawebb3842 appreciate it, thank you
"create what you want to create.
put it out there because you
have something to say.
not because you want people to listen to you
or you wanna be validated.
but because you have something to say.
and then persist thru the bullsht."
wow. i needed that. thank you.
TRUTH! I'm 61 years old and am still getting discouraged, still putting myself out there, still writing, still singing, still drawing, still painting. Still get up and go to my day job 40 hours a week. I still love it, I still need to move.....and on life goes...Be grateful, be alive!
Go, girl! 😊❤
YES!!!!!!!!!!!
Right on Liz! Thank you for that. I'm 59 and finally figured out 6 years ago that what you are doing is precisely what I am supposed to be doing. Keep going!!
Do it for yourself! Remind yourself why you loved it in the first place!
Me too. I'm 65, still experimenting with abstract art painting and collage. Still making lots of mistakes after decades of practice.
As one of those artists who starts their career, becomes discouraged, then after a number of years starts again, repeat x10 ... this video resonated with me so much that I'm tearing up. Thank you so much for making this video!
You got this!
same!
Stay in your lane. Disregard the paths that cross yours. Forge onward daily.❤
Today I woke up in tears, so tired of being disappointed and ready to quit. Then I got the notification to this video. You have no idea how much I needed to hear this.
I adore you guys and I hope to get to a place where I can support your work as you support my mental health.
Thank you so much, love you both 🌻
Carla, you are a force of nature, never forget that!
Don't give up❤I struggle,too. Keep going❤
You are not alone in these feelings, I am glad you good another wind to keep going. We are unconsciously rooting for you!
@@leahfoy7844 Thank you for your kindness. Be brave. Wishing you the best !❤
Thank you so much for your kind words dear @@abbybaby010 ! Best wishes!🍀
That's the spirit. i'm so tired of this ''boost your algorithm, follow trends, draw perfect people that don't even look like real humans'' bs, it's more discouraging than ''being a failure'' because it implies leaving your identity and creativity aside to chase stuff that is profitable for the social platforms and hoping you get something from it
Never give up a piece of yourself for someone else's standards.
I started absolutely sobbing watching this, I needed this talk. I've recently kind of given up with my art because I did a painting I fell in love with and after I posted it online it got 8 likes.
I opened an art print store because people would always tell me they really liked my art, but after half a year I've made 1 sale.
It's been difficult thinking "My friends and family don't care" but honestly, what you said in the video is insanely true - Why do their views matter? I don't create art to please others!
I think this video is the start of me appreciating myself and my creative work way more, regardless of how it performs online. Thank you for this video.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
You need to learn some marketing skills. Art is 90% marketing and exposure.
When we meet our galactic brothers and sisters, there will be such a high demand of our creativity we won't be able to churn it out quick enough. Humanity are so creative and our skills are envied across the universe.
You got 8 likes?!i got 3,one was my mother hahahaha
Can you give your social media/website to give you a thumbs up?
I have been reading and re-reading a marvelous compilation of Vincent Van Gogh's letters to his brother... It is called Dear Theo and has impacted me in so many ways, including getting to know not just Vincent's artwork but also his very kindred, vulnerable emotions that we can all relate to. I have read it four times through and this won't be the last! It's almost like having my own therapist and a very close personal Friend...
Beautifully put Kira!
I read that book 40 years ago and have never forgotten what van Gogh had to say. The other artists sure gave him crap for his style of painting. Goes to show... Stick with what you like to do.
I'm 50, and this start and stop cycle is relatable. Great advice, and motivational inspiration.
Rock on!
Don't give up, keep doing your art! It may not speak to me but I respect whatever you do that matters to you.
It's like a drug. That's why I quitted.
Thank you for this post - and I’m not quitting even if no one ever sees or likes my stuff 👍😃🙏‼️‼️‼️‼️Thanks for being my cheerleader for us unfamous , poor artists 💗💗💗💗💗
Hello, I have done exactly the same thing you did. I have "tried" an art career twice in my life. But everyone around me judged me for doing it instead of doing more "productive" things. I felt guilty for making art. But even when I stopped, i felt uneasy and i always would come back to making something, doodlig here, buying art supplies, trying to do a painting, i couldn't get out of it. It is like a disease. I want to make things. Finally a year and a half ago i made the decision to give it one last try. I dont want to regret this when im old. I am suffering from the lack of "results", sales, views, likes, etc. But im chugging along. Its not always easy. It usually isnt. But i am doing my best to become better at expressing what i feel. Thank you for your message in this video.
Thank you for this video, I'm a beginner artist but lately I felt discouraged and I thought of quitting because I feel like I'm not good enough and no one likes what I draw, especially on twitter, my drawings get ignored most of the time and it's very frustrating, your video encourages me to keep going and continue to draw what I love without worrying about likes and retweets, thank you so much for your wonderful video, I really appreciate it.
You got this, just keep going!
People always told me the starving artists. I’m starting to get back into my art because of good TH-camrs thank you!
I wish someone said these words to me twenty years ago when I declared myself an art major. One semester and I convinced myself that a career in art would make art not fun anymore. Here I am now, going back to school to finally do the thing I was always meant to do. Thanks for putting this video out. There was no TH-cam 20 years ago.
Being an artist was death for most of my life. You just saved my life with this video.
I'm struggling so hard, and I've been struggling for years, especially 18 months. I'm sick of being broke, and yet I have to create. I have to draw, paint, speak. And now I'm working to get cash, and it's retail, and it's shit with a purpose, and I feel so ashamed.
I will never quit, and I'm crying now because the courage rose up after you did the video. Thank you.
This pops up as soon as Im having artist block and getting frustrated. Thank you😢
Yesterday I was at my lowest point as an artist. The voice inside of me saying I'm no good, worthless an imposter and why don't I just quit. It literally put me down to my lowest point in my life/career . I was just ready to just call it quits last night. Waking up this morning with your alert and this video couldn't come at a better time. Truly a blessing. Thank you Rafi. Today I just said NO! to my inner critic and it has given me renewed strength that "I am an Artist and nothing my inner critic can say and do can take that away from me. Thank you for the renewed hope in myself and to continue to do what makes me happy. Good or bad. A million thanks can never be enough to show my appreciation in the timing of this video. Stay blessed and continue the good fight.
Just keep going Paul. You have the ability to create. That means something special.
Thank you Douglas for the words of encouragement. Appreciate it. 👍🏻😊
Like Douglas said, Keep going! You are a force of nature when you don't stop.
Needed this today! Thank you!
Chasing the audience is what made me continuously stop making art. Finally at 41 I'm committed to myself to make the art that makes me incandescently happy. I needed this video, thank you.
I love that comment "You either do the thing or you quit the thing" - love it. That is now my new motivation mantra.
❤️❤️❤️❤️
I'm an Australian artist and this year marks 50 years at being a painter and sculptor. I have had good years and l've many bad years . I don't regret one day of it , it's my life l can't stop. Thank you and good luck with your art too. May the ART GODS treat you well
You Rock @michaelrowe1907!
From a fellow creative restarting my career at age 67, after burnout & discouragement- thanks so much for this video!
Thank you!
So needed to hear this. I've been in a slump where I'm not doing the art I love because it doesn't seem like anyone cares or takes notice and I need to just do it because it makes me happy. Good luck at the show. I love you guys, keep doing what your doing.
Joy! You are a force of nature!
When you said “fuck that” to all the voices in my head telling me I need to monetize all my hobbies and only do things that generate income I felt that. I always go weeks into something and think “this isn’t furthering my education or career” it makes me give up. I understand now that idea is stupid, appreciate the enlightening video.
This is encouraging. I'm a new artist and have just started sharing on social media. I have a bit of imposter syndrome but honestly I don't care. All you need is for one person to like something and it's positive energy flow. And I had one person already liking what I'm posting so that's a win in my books. I'm looking forward to my evolution as an artist. We grow and expand all the time.
Leave us a link to your work 😎👍
Yes..that's what I've come to conclude...it's an evolution
Thank you so much for this video. I've actually said the words you've said in this video.But I sometimes need a reminder from the outside myself
My husband and I started a small blacksmithing demonstration at a local medieval fair in 2009. I am so thankful that we jumped in with both feet with no real clue about what we were doing. If we had the slightest idea, we would have never gotten off the ground. We never thought we would become what we are today and when I look back at pictures of our first year I absolutely cringe at our naivety and how awful our set up and costumes were compared to what it is today. What was once six weekends of our summer has morphed into a full fledged forge with our fair season running from May through December. Our one table in a rickety tent now includes buildings at multiple locations and a whole troop of people who work with us through the year at several venues across the state. Some admit to being stalkers who used to watch us from across our fence line and are now part of our clan. Our family. Our passion became our life. Our actual families don't understand and that is ok. We don't need their approval. We work long hours, we pour every ounce of our being into it and we love it, even when we are exhausted at 4am trying to put the finishing touches on our pieces for a show that opens in six hours. We drive hours to our destinations, vehicles packed with our pieces, our tools, etc. Blown tires and broken struts because everything we work with is frickin heavy! We get burned out, we cry, we adapt, we battle the weather. People outside this lifestyle don't understand and think we are crazy. Maybe we are, in some ways. Talk to any reenactor and I am sure they have stories. But I gave up a corporate job over two years ago because I couldn't do both anymore. We work very hard, our bones hurt, and our hands are cut, bruised, and burned on the regular. There are times when the production side of things makes me hate doing the same thing over and over again. Yet I absolutely LOVE when a new trick sparks inspiration, or when we create something that no one has seen before and their eyes light up just looking at it. It has been a long and bumpy road and much of it was us laying a path all our own. We have come a long way and absolutely love what we do and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I truly wish for every artist and creative out there to have the opportunity to live their passion. Don't let doubt or the opinion of others to discourage you. Your people will find you. Your art will find your people. Put yourself out there and allow yourself the opportunity to grow and evolve. Even the rough moments are worth it. We have learned so much and I want to let everyone who reads this know that yes, you can do it. Whatever 'it' may be for you.
Thankyou SO much for sharing....you have inspired me! Love and blessings to you, from Australia! ❤😊🦘
Thank you so much for this!!!!!!
We all cringe when we see our early works.
Hey Rafi, long time lurker here, not sure I've posted before. Just wanted to tell you the impact you've had on my life. I took up art just over 2 years ago, as part of my recovery from cancer. I rented a studio and spent long hours in there painting. For those first few months, you were a huge part of my process. I listened to everything you put out, then subsequently bought your books. As time progressed I moved on a little and became more obsessed with business podcasts, marketing and ways to turn my art into money. However recently, I've returned to your content and am enjoying it a lot. I'm glad to have to have left the marketing and money obsession behind, your content is far more pure and inspiring. It also gives me a warm feeling as it reminds me of a simpler more naive time when I started painting. As for the art success, it is truly perplexing. I've sold five pieces to Spike Lee and have possibly got some pieces on display at Brooklyn Museum this year. Yet I cannot get any gallery interest at all, not even a response in most cases. At one point I'd sold $25k work in a month, but it was tumbleweeds from galleries.. So the message in this video resonates with me a lot, just keep on painting and don't worry about it!
Thank you Rafi. I want to give up so bad. I feel like I don’t even know why I create anymore. I’ve been swallowed by the do’s and don’ts of the art world and feel like I just can’t do it anymore. I don’t even know who I am anymore. I struggle with mental illness and it makes life very hard. I hope I can figure this out and gain some purpose and direction because I feel quite hopeless. Thanks for being amazing. ❤️
Wow, I am tired today and wanted to quit! Thanks for the encouragement.
I feel this message so much. I started painting again during the pandemic. It made me really happy. Then when things got back to “normal” my art has taken a backseat again. I just convinced myself it was a waste of time and no one cared. I even sold several pieces and won an art show award. The stop start give up cycle has plagued me my whole life.
Convince the convincer in your head to shut the f up... it'll start again in a few days then tell it again... repeat until you take away that voice's confidence... That is what it does to you, so you might as well do it back.
Wow that's great! You sold pieces and won an award?! Good for you, please keep it up! I'm just an internet stranger, but I care about whether you do your art-you should do it more :)
@@Rafiwashere I tell the gremlin in my brain to shut the f up all the time lol
@@luthiengs thanks so much 🥰
Me too. I get profoundly depressed.
Thank you, as someone who was slowly giving up, I very much needed to hear this
I love this so much, this message is reaching me at a glorious time when I'm trying to recover my passion after what felt like a series of disappointments. Thank you so much. There's a quote of Amanda Palmer that says "When you’re an artist, nobody ever tells you or hits you with the magic wand of legitimacy. You have to hit your own head with your own handmade wand. And you feel stupid doing it." That's why videos like this are so important for us to feel like we're not the only "stupid" ones and that this is actually part of the process.
Brilliantly said!
Boy did I need this video today. Just found you. Thank you for doing this video. ❤🌹
Awww! Thank you so much!
Hearing you list your accomplishments in a monotone reminded me of how easy it is to start seeing them as worthless, because of how our goalposts are always moving (not that I thought you were doing that, but I use the same tone on bad days). I do remember how proud I was when I got to the point where I didn't have to pay for my own art supplies anymore. I could buy a new camera and say, wow, my art paid for this! Or how easy it feels now to hang a painting in a group exhibition, when many people have only dreamed of having a painting on a gallery wall. I know of one artist who bitterly complains a lot, but does a lot of teaching gigs that I can't even imagine myself being able to do! :O Counting the blessings can help with discouragement sometimes when goals seem too big and scary.
Melle, you are a badass!
I picked up my first paintbrush when I was eight years old. I only wanted to paint pictures, but people got in the way. I should be doing sports or thinking about college. I kept it up for years with no positive feedback. I finally let it go. Now, 50 years later, I picked up a paintbrush again. I'm an artist, and in my heart, I always have been.
You honestly have no idea how much this video meant to me. I've been slipping in and out of really bad depressions and existential crises because of the discouragement connected to being an artist. I've been trying for so long; years and years, every day convinced of the fact that I am doing something wrong. Hearing you talk, knowing that this journey is not one I've gone on alone, gave me back some light. I will never give up. I will never quit creating videos, making art, writing books, creating...
Thank you!
Yes!
Sometimes it's very hard to watch our Art children grow up and live lives of their own. We may not trust that they are ready. We may not be ready, but if someone bonds with them enough to adopt them, we must set them free. Thank you for helping us do this.
Love this!! It really is all about our internal dialog. I was literally talking to my son about donating all of my decades worth of art supplies and just leave it to those who are on the stage. But you reminded why I do what I do! I just have to go back to my mindset of pre-social media. Again thank you for sharing this!!!
Thank you!
Thank you!! The title alone feels like a warm hug:)
If you love to create art that is enough reason to do it. In fact that’s the best reason to do it. That’s why I don’t worry about AI - I love the beauty of the natural world and painting the parts of it I love is an act of appreciation, joy and self expression. I don’t really care if it’s “in” or if people don’t like me- “someone wrote that “other people’s opinion of you is none of your business”. You and Klee rock!!!
Perfect timing.. Thank you friend. 🤗 I'm freaking going for it!!! I'm 58 and this is my dream.. Just for me. Subscribed!! 😊🤙
YES!!!!!!!!
I have always called my life as an artist a roller coaster ride. Sometimes I would have liked more flat sections but the excitement of creating each new piece of art kept me going. I am fortunate in that I never thought about giving up...even when I couldn't pay my utility bills. 😛
Well said!
Thank you very much for this very motivational and ispiring video. Everything true you‘ve said! I‘ll keep my youtube channel going, even if just 20 people watching my video, i‘ll keep going!! 🔥🔥🔥
Thanks for saying this. I’ve done the same as you , put it out there then feel like I’m failing and stop for awhile. I’m now committed because “I’m an artist “ and I just have too. It’s me . I love the process of painting no matter if it’s oils, acrylic or oil pastels. I can’t judge myself on sales or likes . I stepped back from social media , because I spent to much time posting and then looking for feedback from others. I just want to be the best painter / artist that I can be . But unfortunately, the making money off of my pursuits does influence my mood .
I've made NO money off painting. I can't even give my art away. Since I'm not famous, nobody wants my art. And I've been painting and displaying my art for 25 years.
People say they hate your face? That's very rude. You have a lovely face and an even lovelier message. I'll never understand why for some people the first instinct they have when confronted with someone else's creativity is to crush it.
Thank you Blue!
This is how I feel about my artwork these days its like no matter what I do it feels like my art career doesn't go anywhere. I've been doing art seriously for about 10 years maybe a little longer, since High School, I'm 26 now. Sometimes I wonder what I'm doing wrong, maybe I should just change my style to more trends or fanart etc. But doing those things doesn't make me happy. I think because of this I stopped drawing as much and my art has suffered a lot lmao
I feel you... I've been neglecting videos for a while because it's demotivating when you've got big creators who are always like "pfft, so-and-so only has 100,000 followers, they're nothing!" and it's like, oh... okay, I'd be shocked with 100,000 followers, but I guess I'll fade out in embarrassment lol🙈
Same here, decade+, not sustainable income, but it gets better slowly. Stuff I've noticed makes a big difference is accidentally meeting certain kinds of people - the cheerleaders who brag about you to their people, who really latch on to your message (for the moment, anyway). Seems like that happens most in those unusual moments where I show up somewhere new, in person usually, and do weird uncomfortable shit just to see what it's like to be a different kind of person. Still myself, but a grade or two better. Ok, half a grade, cuz I'm shy XD
If you're doing it, you're doing it right. The only thing you have to do to be an artist is make art.
This resonates so much, thank you. I’ve recently started drawing and painting again. For the 30th+ time…
Rafi and Klee, you are both rays of light! Please don't ever stop shining your inspiration and guidance on us. You are so needed and loved, especially in these times of change and upheaval.❤👍
I kinda hate it because I’m not doing it for a career or anything, I’ve always drawn as a fun hobby and outlet for my creativity. One of the few ones I have, honestly. But when it starts becoming less fun and more and more stressful and gets harder not to compare yourself with peers…it gets rough to find a reason to keep going, because I feel the need to, but it also kills me a lot of the times when I do try. (Physically or mentally.)
It doesn’t help when I notice most of the artists online who get a lot of attention are either digital artists…or traditional artists who are usually at some insane level of realism. But I’m…neither. And I don’t see a lot of traditional only artists get taken as seriously lately and get less attention, despite how hard they work.
So it feels like being a regular traditional artist is a bit more alienating, even with the advice I see go around for artists, it’s normally only for digital artists that I wouldn’t be able to apply, or I don’t have that shade or color in my little collection to attempt it. I can definitely get why so many artists have quickly switched to and typically stay on digital art, but it sucks when you’re broke and have little to no motivation, and u just about injure your hand any time you draw for more than 3 days in a row.
Stop focusing on what everyone else is doing. They're doing their thing for whatever reason. You do your thing.
After painting for over forty years and making a living, young artists need to remember one thing. No one is looking for you. It is not a question of talent or ability. It is about perseverance. Showing up and doing the work. And most importantly, putting your best work out into the world. Being an artist is hard. Not everyone can or will be successful. But you can be happy doing what you love.
So well said! This is perfect Rick!
So true! Every artist is also an artisan.
Y'all keep me going,. Thank you a million times over. Thank you for all The encouragement.
This was a very powerful message. I just discovered your channel recently and a lot of your content is stuff I never really see much of in the art community on TH-cam. This video hit me hard because I woke up this morning feeling very beaten down and not sure why I continued to do art or any kind of creative endeavor. Work was giving me anxiety and the thought of creating another “failed” piece of artwork put my into tears. I even wanted to delete my TH-cam channel as well today since no one really looks at it anyway but after watching this video….it completely changed my perspective and it was just what I needed to hear. If art is something that I love to do (which I enjoyed doing every since I could hold a pencil) why am I stopping? There is no real excuse to stop, we will have our ups and downs but art is something I keep coming back to even if nothing comes out of what I create, I didn’t create in vain. I want to say more but then the comment would be too long lol! I just mainly wanted to say that this was a wake up call for me, I honestly do not hear this stuff a lot, so thank you for making this video. I was SO close to giving up on my dreams today but this video picked me right back up. Thank you so much! ❤
Thank you Clarie!
"Your friends and family don't care". This is why I just work in the dark and when it's time, I'll bring my completion to the light.
Blown away at how genuine and gracious you both are. Thank you for being encouraging and putting yourself out there as well as the various resources. I am so glad you are creating your art as well as these videos. They resonate so much.
Thank you so much!
As much as I agree with your views about not giving up, it's just simply harder to decide to keep going when you have no food on your plate. And to some that means giving up art completely, because of getting 2 jobs, being the breadwinner of the family, the pressure of your aging parents slowly dying and you're the only child they have.
However I do agree that persistence is the key, giving your self a window of time to set things straight and giving it your all. Moderndayjames for example quit medschool to focus on art for a year, and now he's blown up on youtube
Thank you, Rafi. Your channel definitely has always helped me. I always come back here. All those negatives you said, I've had SO loudly in my head since that trigger moment when we first met on here. Mental health issues and friend's who are "blunt" (but sometimes wrong) compound things. But you're right. And slowly I'm getting to that point of just doing it for the joy of creating. All the rest sucks the joy out of the art. I fell into those traps-- needing $ and making fast crap, heartbreak from hoping for validation and not being chosen, etc. I'm finally shifting, I think, back to the joy I when I was a kid, before I learned to draw, and just wrote SFF stories because I loved exploring and creating things never seen. Thank you for all you and Klee do.
Thank you Anna! We freakin ADORE you!
@@Rafiwashere You're welcome, Rafi! I adore you both back!
Just last night, I was thinking of giving up and just thinking of myself as an amatuer.I thought maybe it would allow me to relax and stop putting pressure on myself.I work in healthcare to survive, but I do art therapy, self taught ,at my job with memory care people.Some of the elderly people appeciate what I do, but I'm discouraged and super self critical of my own artwork.I've never given up and have made art for my entire life.I am planning to work for myself as a freelance art therapist for assisted living people.I enjoy sharing what I know with people who need attention and therapy .I appreciate your encouraging words!
Needed to hear this. I’ve been putting my music out for over a decade and it can be hard when you feel like it’s just not getting the traction you think it deserves. It’s important to remember why I do it in the first place-because I have something to say. Thank you for your video!
If you want to become "insta famous", TH-cam famous, better than your artist peers, on the first page of Google search or whatever it is that you measure success.
Please note that when you reach that level, then what??
Becoming " famous " and "loved by the world" is over rated, an empty endeavour, and once you get to that point you that rush is gone.
What is your artist why?
Take some time to really think about why you have these goals then adjust what's the most important then focus on that.
So many amazing artists waste their lives competing with people that if they knew them personally they wouldn't be trying to compete with them.
So have your own style, have your own why, and don't focus on being famous.
Well this made me weep 😭 Watching this as I paint and was feeling like I should just stop. This hit HARD. “Chasing validation” is so ACCURATE. I hadn’t realized I’ve been doing that, but that’s exactly what it is. Thank you for reminding us that we all have a unique voice and they’re all worthy 🎨 🙌🏽💖
Just stay in your lane. Your lane is the only one that is YOUR lane.
Best of luck! You got this!
Another great video. In 1981 I was accepted to go to an art college, where I still live. For different reasons, I dropped the idea, and drifted, from job to job. This year, I sensed ( a calling maybe?) I decided to pick up my brushes again. Creative d.n.a Can not be suppressed forever. Insecurities are a HUGE part of everyday Lives. ( friends, families, teachers) aren't always helpful. Follow your Dreams people......follow your Heart.
You Rock Phillip Preston!
You guys will never know how much this video helped me. I haven't done art in years, and when I say "art", I mean using it as my outlet and happy source every day. Yes, I draw every other month, but it hasn't been the same since I was in 8th grade. I would create art all the time, it's all I did. But once high school started I just stopped, I was ashamed that I quit doing the one thing that made me, ME. I'm 19 now, and I've been trying to do art again. I put all my drawings and other creations back on display in my room again( I put them away for years) and I already feel so much more alive. Thank you so much for helping me find myself once more. Hearing the truth and honest advice really works and I just know you've helped thousands of others. You guys are lovely people. This video made me tear up. From the depths of my heart, thank you.
-Mireya G.
Grants, New Mexico
I'm glad I stumbled on this video. I almost gave up my dream in being an artist earlier this year.
Back in my college years (art major), I worked a lot in trying to begin a career as an artist. I had a good network of people due to college mates and being an intern at local art galleries. I also started creating social media dedicated to my art, business cards, vendor opportunities etc. It wasn't until graduation did I start getting discouraged. I remember apply to so many jobs; museums, schools, graphic design positions etc and getting rejected by all of them. I was unemployed for a while. The fear of losing income came and I ended up taking any job for the sake of money. I gradually lost my creative spark to a point where, I remembered 2019, I didn't draw at all. I took down my social media's, threw away my business cards and even donated some art supplies. In 2020, I left my job and tried going creative again while applying for a new job. I opened an Etsy (where I don't really get much buyers) and opened an Instagram for my art. I ended up getting a new job and by 2021-2022, I worked so much to the point of burnout. It got really bad this year where I developed depression from my burnout and lost interest in drawing all together. I thought to just give up, I had no interest anymore so what was the point, but a gut feeling told me not too. Around summer of this year I came to the realization that I needed to chase my dream again. I started focusing on me and what I wanted and started drawing again. It's not as much as I use to when I was younger, but slowly the spark is coming back. Ive been applying to jobs that hopefully will help boost my creative skill (e.g concept art positions) and crossing my fingers I get something.
Thank you for this video. As a visual and musical artist, imposter syndrome gets the best of me sometimes and I hate giving into it because I realize it’s because whatever I put out wasn’t well-received, but this helped with that. It affirmed why I do what I do. Creating is sacred to me.
It’s how I channel my feelings and how I process things. And before social media became what it is now, I was still creating, singing, dancing, and making skits with my sister because that brings me joy. And that’s just what it is. Period.
You could have just said Draw and do art for yourself.. anything else is just self gratification and seeking validation.. everything else will come after.. you gotta enjoy the process and the challenge. If you only draw and paint to get noticed you’re already in trouble… ❤ Tc, god bless and be in it for YOU!
^ Pretty much what you said but Paraphrased. 🎉
Every moment of my life I am consumed with passion but crippled and stuck in the ditch. I’ve been here before. And I’ve come out stronger and better! Thank you for helping us reignite and I am done being a professional for others. I’m saying no a whole lot more! Im happy amazing myself with my simple functional makes. 🥰 Good vibes and love to all of you! We’ll get through it. Just have to face the fact I’m a loner who doesn’t need a following of my work to to be happy. I’d be happy making someone smile
Me and my wife started 1 month ago with art buissnis and we are so scared because we have 2 months old baby, but we said we are not giving up until we are successful in our eyes.
Thank you for this video, i needed this.
I always go through these phases of self doubt and received this video just when I needed to hear these words. Thank you so much 🤗
You just spoke to every thought running through my head space. I can’t express how much I needed to hear this reminder to fight the relentless “stick man” in my head. You guys are awesome. Thanks for keeping it real.
Thank you!!
honestly so true, I'm so happy to have stumble across this video. I wish I had this sooner when youtube was younger, but this couldn't have come at a better time than this
I’ve been feeling discouraged for a while so thank you for the vid. I wanna just let life draw itself using my hands.
Thank you Alexis! Yes, I love that!
As an animator/ cartoonist myself. I agree with you sir
When I started I was hyped to work for a studio etc but reality hit and I realized being independent was a better decision
At first the industry ppl weren’t happy about it but I didn’t care. Now I’m much happier and make what I want
Stay focus everyone
I can’t believe this. I texted my friend a long message about the doubts of my art and said that if I get rejected again, I’m just going to quit…and I kid you not, without even searching, your video magically appeared on my newsfeed. So strange, and omg! You made me smile and everything. Thank you. Maybe that was the universe wanting me to see this! ❤️
This really spoke to me Rafi! I couldn’t afford art school and then I tried to do my own thing and it was actually going well, but then I had naysayers and got really discouraged and depressed.. Getting back up has been SO hard and the negative thoughts have been so loud, but I know I can’t waste my life being unhappy.. I really want to create art and videos, so this was perfect timing.. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and I hope you always do, I feel less alone.
Im an artist for 55 years
rejection is part of it
NEVER GIVE UP !
So well said!
Once again, Rafi, your words of inspiration hit home with a profound “whack!” You give us hope my friend. You’ve personally helped me over and over, to see through the fog that is my day-to-day (work) life, and to remember what is important. Thank You. I also have to say, that although you have built up a nice force-field against the few shit-face ‘thumbs-downers’, who’s sole purpose in this wild life are not even worth mentioning, it’s only fair that you receive some praise from the other side o that fence. As a fellow heavy hitter, I am here to say that your artwork is up there in the stratosphere with its beauty, content, originality and emotional gravity. Just to name a few of the facets of what you create!
Thank You again, for the inspiration. You are truly an Awesome soul. And all of us can see with our own eyes that you care. 💎
Thank you so much! This made me cry... it's just raining on my face XOXOX
@@Rafiwashere ❤️
I hand write Spyro / Skylanders fan fiction and because I have a hard time typing, I’m paying someone to type my books out so I can put them out (labeled as FAN FICTION) with credit to whoever had the Spyro IP at the point I referenced in the story!)
This video really hits home for me. I feel like I’ve reinvented myself so many times to fit what I thought people wanted I forgot what I wanted to begin with.
Right on, Rafi....I had no idea you existed... I hit YT for a random video break from a seriously frustrating painting session, and your video loads first. Dude, I'm trying so hard to keep going!
You got this!
Thank you. I needed to hear this. I am going to do my thing no matter what. This was a good reminder of what i am. I am a creator. im never going to stop creating art. so why not do the videos anyways? if people enjoy them, sweet, no? sweet. im not going to stop growing as an artist, a person or in my goals. I have been burnt a lot over the years, or medical issues prevent other types of work i can do. but it has NEVER stopped me from creating art. only person who can stop me from doing what i love, is me.
Spot on!
YES!!!!!!!
Man, I really feel this. From the constant disappointment of my skills slowly progressing to relating monetary attachment to the success of what I create, to looking for validation as an artist.
After releasing a photo project that I worked so hard on for months there was only crickets chirping and absolutely no sales. I was crushed.
However, that was the catalyst to help me (start) to stop caring about the outcome of what I create. I'd be lying if I said I still didn't hope for some kind of validation of what I create, but after that photo project failure I now remind myself that most people care way less than you'd hope them to, and that's okay.
Absolutely true. I can't even give away my art.
That's why you keep going and build your own audience over time.
Thank you for the motivational words, they're a blessing to me. I've been bless with the opportunity to work as a graphic designer for over 20 years, and for the last 5 years I've been working on my fine art mainly because I want to create and express myself not someone else ideas and of course be able to make a living doing what I love.
The road is hard and discouragement is always around the corner, I think that as an artist we must be patient... as they say Rome was not built in one day, Never stop. Keep the dream alive, always stay moving forward even if I don't have much followers our sell much of my art. I will always be creating art. God bless.
I've been patient for 25 years. Still nobody wants my art.
Yes Rafi, I’m still doing the ‘ thing’. Have some awards, have some sales, I’m not known, and at my age (85) it’s not going to happen. I still paint because it who I am, it’s what I do, I was born that way. Thanks for the video.. 🌴Florida 🌴
This was exactly what I needed to hear at exactly the right time. Thank you so much for this! I have my first craft sale in 3 years coming up in 2 weeks and that old inner voice is working overtime telling me I won't sell anything. But lately another inner voice has shown up saying, who cares? Just do it, stop stressing and have fun. I like the new inner voice. I think I'm going to listen to her instead.
YEEEESSSSS Sherry!!
The bit where you say 'your family won't be there when you first start doing your' little art thing' , 😂. So true! that was the hardest truth for me. Your biggest test is that after you've spent years of building yourself, you still have to be okay even if nobody supports you. I think that's one of the biggest tests you get in the process
Nice message. I'm struggling with making money through my art, but I have alot of things holding me back. The way it is, but it's all that I am good at and I love just creating art. I'll always do it, and study it no matter what. It makes me happy.
The only people who have bought my paintings are friends. So I would starve if I had to depend on art sales. I've made less than $1000 in ten years.
I randomly got this video recommended to me, I wish I heard it before I turned 20, I've been so disappointed with myself after what a close friend told me. "You're not an artist, you just like art class." Or "you barely draw/paint" etc. I haven't been the same ever since then :( thank you for your video!
THANK YOU for your channel... I needed this so much. Absolutely needed to hear this today. Trying to get better every day and instagram/art forums are hit and miss sometimes. Your voice and humility in your own art journey is a huge part of helping so many who are fortunate to feel better, as being an artist tends to be a lonely universe sometimes. Thank you again and keep the videos going! Hope you guys are getting settled in, I'll be watching for new videos. :) Blessings!!!!!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Art is a journey across the dunning-kruger curve only being aware of it whether you want to or not. If you at least make it to the middle of the curve you have done something special. But this is when the awareness of "knowing you don't know" really starts. The right side of the curve is 100x harder than the beginning-to-mid point of the curve
You and Klee are such an inspiration. I’m in a fine art degree and I feel so lost or like an imposter often. Your videos have kept me going and stopped me from dropping out. You give me hope and self confidence that I can learn what I need to and achieve my dreams.
I don't believe I'd ever run across your material before and, perhaps ironically, The Algorithm put you on my YT feed this morning. "Just persist" is exactly the message this part-time photographer needed to hear. He needed to hear it 10 years ago, 5 years ago, 2 years ago, and he's saving it so he can revisit it in the years ahead. Thank you for the validation that doing it because I love doing it is more than enough reason to keep doing it.
Thank you Mark!
Oh and I’m so glad you shared all of this with us. Thank you for helping us! Sounds like you went through a lot of the same stuff I did. I wish I would have figured this all out 20 years ago.
I draw because it's an endless possibility of ideas, it's a way to express myself :^D
To create what I want to create ✨️
Every moment that I gain a new art skill is another opportunity for more creative expressions / possibilities!
I feel like I was born to draw lol
Through Good and bad, even through art block I still draw, i never gave up on the craft. Even after all of my freinds gave up due to not being interested in it anymore...
Art has probably saved my life during bad times in my life, I'll never leave it behind!
EVER!
You could remove my hands & I'll use my legs to draw LOL
Thank you so much for sharing this! Just finished an art show last weekend and left feeling discouraged and questioning myself and whether it made sense to pursue my art form. But I LOVE it! Just like you said - I don’t do this for any reason other than I love it! Going to keep pushing forward and creating pieces that I adore! Keep being awesome! ❤️
I'm not a real artist, but I needed this. thanks.
Sometimes I draw, or sing silly songs, accidently rhyme when I pray; cook, garden, paint, read, rant and scribble.
But I am so easily discouraged.
So, 'Mil Gracias! ' keep on trucking,
and thank you so much for the encouragement.
This is truly what I needed to see. So soothing and inspiring for the creative souls out there. As someone who has struggled with being an artist, losing my connection, and any drive I had before this is something I needed. Thank you so much for sharing the wisdom, experience, and words out to the world. Wishing you the best :)