If You're Struggling With Your Art, Watch This

I can't promise you the ultimate solution, but I can promise that you're not alone.

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[jeanettevasquez]

If you are breathing, you are creating. You are a beautiful light. Surrender, stop thinking for a moment. You can’t help but be an artist.

[polgara]

In my experience, we have periods like this just before a major breakthrough. Anytime Ive "leveled up" artistically, it was directly after a very difficult art time. It's frustrating, but consider it to be akin to growing pains. We just have to push through, or try something different and not give up.
I sincerely hope that your illness gives you a break and that things get better. Streamlining your Patreon is a great idea, and from what I've read there, most, if not all of your Patrons agree. We all greatly appreciate all that you do, here and there. Sending healing vibes and love from Kansas. ♥

[maggisewfancy]

Thank you for sharing your concerns. It makes me feel blessed that I'm not alone. Thank you so much!

[manestreambeauty]

I'm glad you allowed yourself to share this video. It's so helpful to see skilled artists make things and not get the intended outcome, even after several attempts. It's honest and it's a true part of the creative process. Technique can be instinctive and unique to the artist. Sometimes it's happenstance, other times it's developed through trial and error. Thank you for the reminder.

[joannrabideau]

Please allow yourself Grace. We all go thru those days of feeling like we have lost our mojo but it does come back. Just know that you’re not alone.

[FrL]

Hello Natasha. I have been following you for a while and I can tell that not only your art is changing, but also there is a gravitas in your last 2 videos that was not so present before . I thoroughly enjoy watching all your videos, but the last 2 will have a special place . I am sure all this will lead to something wholly fulfilling but not too demanding on you. I also suffer from a chronic illness, and even though I do not make art for a living I know how demanding it can be even if it is also a source of joy. Good luck and take care .

[hollycoh]

I think all of these drawings are so beautifu! I just listened to your most recent podcast on Patreon about feeling as though you’re “wasting supplies” with this paper, but it’s truly not the case. Although you don’t consider them finished pieces (or maybe even “successful” ones) you’re still learning how to use a different medium that you have little experience with! The learning process itself holds so much more value than the paper ever could (though I understand your reservations about it being quite an expensive paper).

I hope that you will keep giving yourself more grace with your artwork, and also with your health. As a fellow chronic-illness-haver I also struggle with the summer weather causing complications. Most days for the past few months I’ve been extremely unwell physically but want to make art, which is an unfortunate combination as I often end up pushing myself to be ~productive~ when I know it would be better if I just rested. I easily become frustrated with myself under all of these conditions so the creative process lately is associated with a lot of negative feelings for me, which is not a good place to be! If you need time to rest or do other non-art things to raise your mood or feel focused again, the time spent doing that isn’t wasted or unproductive… this is something I’m still trying to accept and implement too.

I really do empathise and I also really admire you for still sharing beautiful content with us and being vulnerable by discussing how you’re feeling. I hope that this ~phase~ passes quickly for you, and until you can find the beauty in this work we’ll be here to see it for you!

[karenfranck]

I am not sure what your chronic illness is, but mine is Fibromyalgia and I'm a graphic designer and creating art is often a challenge for me (my graphic design work I don't consider as 'art' because of the genre of design I am in) Then when I try something new and it doesn't work out the first time, and because most people assume that since I've been a graphic designer for the past 30 years, that I'm good at all things creative, I feel like a failure - I don't consider myself and artist even though other people do. It's just really encouraging when I see an artist like yourself, whose work I admire, going through the struggles that I am and still creating, regardless, so thank you for the inspiration.

[gingerpie]

These are very pretty. I love the colors. We are always our worst critic. Thanks for sharing.

[arleighbarley]

I find that struggle precedes growth, so frustration is just a symptom of struggle. Thanks for posting this video.

[xxjones]

I really like these new drawings, especially the tree ones with their beautiful bold colours. They seem more raw and more expressive, while still having that calm and peaceful quality. I have been struggling with my art for a year now, and I am also a chronically ill person, but I don't have to make a living from it. 🙂Through my art making, I have learned sometimes you have to consciously lean into uncomfortable feelings, anxiety, doubt, carry on regardless and overcome. - In any case, I see something strong emerging in your drawings.

[Lore-kfim]

That green definitely goes great with that purple. Finish it and you will certainly sell it.

[robertadrsvensson]

Thank you for being honest, I really appreciate your realness. I'm so stuck with my art at the moment, a real art block and nothing I create pleases me either. When I force myself to create even though I don't feel like it, I feel bored and unsatisfied. I thought about changing materials or subjects, maybe it would help to get me out of this.

[grriva_boje]

Dear Natasha, I often go through these phases, especially when I step out of my comfort zone and try something different from the usual. Now, like you, I know that it will go well and clear up the choice of material, style and color even better...
I know a lot of artists who are not self-critical, and I mostly dislike their work. And I know a lot of them who are, and I always admire their work. The view of art is subjective, someone will always like it, and someone will not. What matters is the feeling in us, which gives us confirmation... yes, that's it!
Anyway, I totally understand what you're going through. I'm sure that after this there will be many more wonderful paintings from your studio!❤️

[dzsqumd]

Wow, Natasha! Your new work is fabulous! And it is clearly your recognizable style. Thanks for the honest sharing of your process in making these changes. It helps me to dispel my own myths and misguided ideas as an artist. I think sometimes we don't realize how much others enjoy our art even if we think it is flawed. We see "mistakes" they don't, but we are too hard on ourselves a lot of the time. Thank you for your insights.

[PaulaScardamalia]

Thoughtful, well-articulated, and well-timed. I just finished hosting a circle of professional writers that meets online every two weeks to talk about challenges, and write from prompts from tarot cards that I pull for them in answer to story questions. This week, we talked about the struggle to do new work, to trust our intuition, to do more, write better, write faster, and why it is so hard. But we are meant to write, and our stories are meant to be told. Just as you are meant to create and share those creations, right? Hugs for the rough spots in the journey.

[lunatic]

Pastelmat requires many layers to get it to look smooth. It's very good for things like pet portraits where you need to use lots of layers.
Something like zest it to blend the pencils helps to smooth the grain, it looks more painterly that way too. Layer up the pencils and blender.
It may help if you were to try the paper again 😊

[leighrogers]

Natasha…thank you so much for your video. I am not a professional artist but love drawing and painting…just recently I have felt as if I am going backwards, and thought about giving up….and I am also battling with health issues…so your video was perfect and a great reminder that you are never alone. I hope that you will be able to work through it all….and your art is beautiful ❤

[margaretsmith]

Once again you are able to voice quite eloquently how you are feeling which I admire. It shows how strong as a person you really are. I am loving your new experimental work, colour palette is amazing. It seems you are entering into another chapter of your life and finding a new path. Love your work, wishing you well.

[SMCCRADY]

Totally understand! Keep trying, we must have failures before our successes.