The Struggles That Artists Face - Part 1

[wmcrash]

"Your art career isn't going anywhere" - that should be a shirt or two :D

[Diego-Designs]

Thanks to you, I muster up the courage to submit my first artworks to a gallery. Even if they get rejected, I'm "putting myself out there" as you always say.
I will always be reminded of this. Thank you Rafi!

[JTonyArts]

Process over product. Your signs were product thinking. So is the idea of what you want to be known for. So is concern over being ignored.

Simply take care of the process. We make art because we have to, not because we want to have art or be seen or to be found. The making is the important part, and if you focus on the joy of making the product will take care of itself. Process over Producf takes care of burnout to. The old saying “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day if your life” is true because the focus is on the word “do”. Art is really a verb, not the noun you end up with st the end.

[billyliar]

So true, especially what you were saying about getting stuck in a commercial trap and holding out from taking the easy route. So true ! It's so easy to give in to temptation and pander to a commercial market you're not all that invested in just to pay the bills. You've gotta be strong !

[HaileyAndTheArt]

Burn out is such a thing. My first holiday season as a small art business owner completely killed the joy of being an artist and it led me to take a big break and go back to the basics. It was such a learning experience and I'm glad you're educating others about it.

[cybertraveler]

You and Klee are awesome.

Full time income as a creative is not the only measure of a professional Career as an artist.
A New York Times best selling Author can be a day job office worker.
Make your art! If money comes in a different (acceptable) way to yourself... take it! It doesn't make you less of an artist.

I think many creatives struggle with associating earning livable amounts of money solely
through their art. I know amazing artists who earn the majority of their money with totally different day jobs that work with a schedule that accommodates their creative career pursuits. Painters/baristas Photographer/Office Worker/Civil Service Teacher/Actor Model etc. to name a few.

It pays the bills and the creative career path income is extra until full time income can be achieved.
Some make the artist with a day job a career. I did and it turned out well. IT/Digital Art and Photography for over 2 decades.

[lisaowen]

I've done outdoor art markets too. It can be discouraging, when you see someone passing your booth, carrying what I like to call "art on a stick". You know the kind that you put in the garden potted plant.
I have done the gimmicky artwork too. From shrinky dinks, hand painted pottery, Greeting cards and other artwork trinkets. Just to sell too. Through out my artist journey. I knew I was on this artsy path since I decided to use my childhood weekly allowance (aka folding money), to buy manella paper, prang watercolors, pencils, poster paint, markers and crayons. At the neighborhood drugstore office supply isle. Or Kmart.
That was over fifty years ago now.
Funny thing. I've been revisiting and experimenting using the same basic materials today as a artist . 🎨

[elizabethcommandeur]

Brilliant! Yes, everything you mentioned is so true. Being an artist is an uphill battle that is endured slowly and painfully yet the thought of not is way worse. Love your work, love your videos!

[lauralou]

Oh my gosh to all of the above! I recently felt "ignored" in a "group" no one liked my contribution of my painting 😢 I wrote a comment that I thought a "group " was more than 1..the admit noticed & like it & responded to keep posting..I didn't respond but "no thanks...I like my original art & if giving ideas with not even a like..I think not....lol"

[AndreaDingbatt]

Absolutely Agreed 💯!!
I have been trapped doing pet portraits,
but luckily broke away by doing what I wanted to!!
Not always been easy, but I'm much happier now!!
Thank you Rafi and Klee,
You are both awesome and totally Rock!!
Namasté 🙏💞.
Andréa and Critters. ....XxX....

[ThreefoldDesigns]

Artists are braver than most, as we have to face this stuff more than most! :)

[hannahquinteroart]

I love the points you made! Rejection is a challenge to accept at times for all of us. One thing I have learned when I started my art business, is sometimes rejection is not a reflection on us as artists. Alot of times, it has to do with ignorance from people. People may not know alot about artwork as far as etiquettes go and how to take the time to appreciate creativity because of cultural norms. It's an awesome opportunity to redirect comments and educate a person or people on the thought processes behind the artist's stories behind the pieces and what the creative process entails. Sometimes that is all it takes and you see the light beam in their eyes with realization and awe. In other words, we have to be our own advocates.

[lisaowen]

Try not to take rejection personally . I know it's hard to do. We just want to have the art viewer to like our work. As a artist just do what you do. If the art viewer doesn't get it that's not your problem. Be true to what you do.

[StephiesBeadsandBaubles]

Wow Rafi, I really needed to hear this tonight. I’ve been really struggling with my channel lately. Well for the last year, my viewership has gone down to less than half of the watch time I had . But I was doing videos to try to get views instead of doing creative videos that were something I wanted to do. Now I’m trying to rebuild and started doing the same thing again, but I’m going to stop it now I’m even going to take down the last few videos and just start fresh doing the creative videos and making the things I want to make and just not worrying about who watches it. Thank you so much, you guys are always so insightful and give me a lot to think about.❤️😁

[HaileyAndTheArt]

Wow I have lived almost all of these struggles in the last two years of me openly being an "artist". I'm not the only one! 😅

[ArtistRebeccaLS]

The struggle is absolutely very REAL and lifelong for me but an artist is what I am and I can’t change that

You guys are awesome 👏

[adamsartjourney]

Thanks Rafi, I treasure these little chat videos. Have a great weekend.

[trudiatherton]

Thanks Raffi. As usual the perfect reminder video and the perfect time for me at the moment. I hope you and Klee and well and happy. ❤😘

[TedDaviesArtistry]

More Truth bro!!! Thx for bringing this topic up. New artists need to know that the journey is part of the Art life.

[brandydouble]

I'm doing it to motivate me to do what I actually enjoy....and I'm still struggling to keep doing it....but I'm working on it.