Dealing with Failure as an Artist

Spoiler alert: it’s a vulnerable one!
Please enjoy the video in 4K and thanks for watching, I really really appreciate your support

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Filming gear I use:
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- Lighting -
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My vocals

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[monkeybearmax]

I think u have an audience used to realism and you made a change. Your paintings are really lovely. It’s just a different audience so it takes time to find this new audience

[mchahn]

Hi! I just purchased your abstract no. 6, and I’m beyond excited for my daughters, my husband, and myself to enjoy it forever! Please please please continue to make art that brings you joy- your pieces will find homes where they spread your joy to others! 💕

[edkeefe]

It’s normal for scientists to experiment and “fail” regularly, however it’s not called failure, it’s known as “adding to the body of knowledge”. Therefore every experiment is a success. I’m a lecturer in Design and I teach “Fail Fast” methodology, this is a way of learning through intended failure, pushing until something breaks, then addressing that problem and moving on, it’s a repetitive process which eventually leads to the correct solution to the problem (ideally!). Your paintings are really excellent, in my humble opinion I think you should paint two different series, one on mushrooms and the other abstract landscapes. I see a touch of the genius of Ivon Hitchens in your work. Just keep painting, you’ll figure it all.

[Cozycottagegarden]

I can absolutely feel your pain. I am writing this in tears rolling over my cheeks. I use to paint a lot in my childhood and in teen age time, mainly acrylic and oil paintings. But as for Asian parents, academics and good career is more important than one’s own talents and passion. Hence, I left painting completely and pursued a medical profession. Got married and now I am a mother of 2 little children. Now I am planning to restart my passion and going to do my first ever painting project after 15 years for my little YouTube channel. Wish me luck 🍀

[onhandart]

The lesson you're learning is that you built up one audience and now you're building up a new audience. You'll get there. Full disclosure: I'm talking to myself here too 😅

[jamesmeyer]

Many artists equate "failure" with not selling their work. But I have found that creating art is its own reward - once you get past the threshold of incompetence and start producing good work. Then, the process is so enjoyable in itself that selling becomes an afterthought. Of course, you want to share your work and not have it pile up in the garage for years. But in the short term, not selling for a while simply means you need more time and effort and eventually someone will appreciate your work and start collecting it. Assuming of course, you keep trying to grow and improve as an artist. To me, the joy of discovery is the main reasons to do art in the first place.

I think some of the worst failures are artists who have found a formula that attracts buyers and churn out a lot of work that is pretty much all the same, never trying to learn new techniques or approaches. Their work is boring, uninspiring and insipid - even though they may have sold a lot of paintings and made a lot of money. There are easier ways to make money than by being an artist, so if that's your main concern, just get a job and do art as a hobby. Keep making an effort to get your work out there and if it is any good, people will eventually take notice.

[CaraVaughan]

Brook,
YOU ARE AWESOME!! The "valley" paintings of artists sometimes become the most profound work of an artist. By doing these paintings you are automatically going to expand your audience. You're expanding your audience right now by posting such a vulnerable topic which only adds to the very authentic person you are; which is what I love about you! People need these stories because it creates connection. You will experience connection as well and you will be greatly encouraged by it. Don't lower your price but definitely have prints available for these paintings. Times are hard for so many and inflation is hitting us all so having art that appeals to every budget will definitely be the way to go for us tight-budgeters and we will be forever grateful. I have a goal and that is to save a few dollars a month so that I can purchase one of your originals and you know what?, ... it will be worth it! In the meantime, I am more than happy to be patient and thoroughly enjoy journeying with you in your process as an artist. These pieces of art will speak to so many right when they need it; just as this video will.
Finally, remember your true identity. You are Brook Cormier who is an authentic, genuine, sassy, witty, caring, giving, wise, tea-drinking of a person;...a human being. Making art and creating things with your hands is NOT who you are. IT IS WHAT YOU DO. We don't just love what you make but, we love you more for who you are! If you tragically lost the ability to use your hands you would not stop being Brook. You would adapt and find another way to be creative or find another way to earn a living. Our connection to you would not be lost. If anything, it would be deepened.
I start to get a little excited when failure occurs....that lets me know that growth is about to happen! Keep walking up that hill. We are here walking along side you in the process!

[rogerbrownart]

I have had paintings that I had for 2-3 years before they sold for the price that I wanted, its all about waiting for the right buyer to see the work.Its all about patience, just keep creating and increasing your portfolio.

[clayformations]

Abstract art does have a tendency to polarize. It's the age-old story for artists... we do what inspires and excites us (and we starve) 😮 or do what sells and pay the bills 😅 best we can do is just find that balance. Thank you for sharing. It helps us realize that we are all in the same boat!

[sardonicsophisticate]

My superpower is that I never assume any of my paintings will sell. Sometimes my paintings sell 2-3 years afterwards. It’s always in person to someone who really connects with the piece.

[kimbrink]

I'm based in South Africa. If the exchange rate and shipping were in my favour, best believe I would have 1 or 2 of these up in my space to keep me inspired and empowered and creative.

Remember, Brooke -- the target market you've built up could just be into realism. You're not the problem, your art isn't the problem; you're maybe just tapping into a different audience to the one you currently have.

Like me. Across the world.

Please please keep going. Your mushroom series inspired this girl taking a leap into art as a career. So if you'd like a bit of dramatic flare, your mushrooms changed a life! (I know that doesn't pay the bills yet but it will.)

[zenakanes]

I think you absolutely made the right choice to explore this style. It's visually stunning, thought-provoking, and shows a strong artistic voice. Such a rich fantasy landscape

[xxzcfdxc]

Im never inclined towards abstract art, more of a realism lover myself. But these paintings are so beautiful and aesthetic. Can't believe no one bought them.

[Antonella-emje]

I am a huge fan of your abstract mushroom artwork, it's the fist time I watch you. Congratulations and thank you for your openness. Your art is absolutely stunning. All the best of luck for you.

[mayuradesai]

I am actually grateful to you for sharing this. People don't understand how courageous and brave it is to be vulnerable. And these are the problems every artist goes through but so little people share about it. You already have been a guide for me and watching you making or actually carving your own way through this world to do what you love is truly inspiring. Thanks a lot for putting efforts consistently into sharing things you are uncomfortable about. ❤❤

[DouglasEarls]

Hey! I love these abstracts. Not only do I love the fact that they're abstracted, but also love the elements of realism that are mixed in with them. That's my favorite. Also I love the fact that you approach abstract thoughtfully, because so often abstract is viewed as this chaotic, intuitive thing that people should just work through quickly. I love the way that you took the time to lay it out and I can tell that you are extremely thoughtful with the colors that you chose. The color pallets are amazing by the way.

But I think what you meant to say was that you haven't sold any of the Your partner makes a good point. And you're a very intelligent person and I know that you felt through a lot of the stuff about how most of your audience up to this point has not been an audience geared towards the abstract. I know that you've thought through all of those things. It's just going to take a little bit of time for the right people to come. Or, they won't. But this hasn't been wasted time. First of all, the video you made here is beautiful. It's thoughtful, eloquent, well edited, therapeutic for you and for me! I'm very grateful that you took the time to make this video.

I do portrait paintings to make money. It's not my favorite style of art to create. I also make these abstracts that I call my blob paintings. They're just blobs. I work hard to try to make them dimensional and fun. They're my favorite things to paint. You know how many I've sold? Zero. I'm scratching my head as to why because I think they're wonderful. But people don't respond to them the same way that they do my figurative pieces and that's okay. I need the blobs! Just like you need the mushrooms I guess. Okay, that doesn't sound exactly right but, you know what I mean.

I found this video to be very encouraging, thank you so much. I hope you are encouraged by the process of it all. Your art is definitely valuable, and worth the price that you set for it.

Keep on with the keeping on!

[settleinwithsylvie]

Fellow Canadian here: I’m a home organizer and even my clients who own luxury homes are pinching pennies at the moment - a stark difference from 2020/2021/2022. Both the Canadian and American economies are in bad shape and people don’t have the disposable income they once did. Chin up - we will get thru this!!

[montvgne]

Hello Brooke, I don't know much about you or the community you've gathered online, but I think the series is absolutely gorgeous. It takes courage to step out of your comfort zone and experiment and it's a great testimony of how deeply invested as an artist one can be. Abstract art tends to have a polarizing effect on people, and in your situation it might've been even more so, since you are used to painting realism, and people might expect that from you. However, we need to keep in mind that social media can be a very toxic environment if we are seeking confirmation or approval from our audiences. (I myself am very guilty of this!) We've evolved to be quickly dismissive when we don't understand or relate to something on the get go, because we have access to virtually everything right on our fingertips. Keep exploring, and having fun with it, since there is nothing like passion to bring life to an artwork.

[emanueladadarlat]

6:36 This one is absolutely gorgeous. You can notice the increase of confidence in your approach (the previous one in the video also). The maturity.

[stephaniecascio]

Your mushroom paintings are my favorites of yours! I was actually out for a walk with my kids recently and saw some interesting mushrooms growing out of a tree stump and I snapped a pic and thought of you.
I’ve been doing festivals a lot during the summer and one of the more crushing experiences was one in my hometown where I didn’t sell a single painting. It’s hard when you put so much work into your art and you love it and believe in its value but it just doesn’t sell. All that to say…Keep making art! Keep exploring! Keep creating! Make the art that you want to make 🩵