ArtBistro

Fear is a major hurdle for many artists out there in the world. It makes sense doesnt it? As an artist you spend hours and hours alone doing your work. Your art gets better and better- but your social interaction does not exist.

Artists spend alot of time in their own heads.

If you want to get over fear then become fearless. Make art and do not care what anyone thinks about it. Make art for you.

If you want to see if people really like it then show it to a gallery owner and sell it. Post it on an art site and sell it. If it sells YAY!  If it does not sell then do more art, try a slightly different technique and try to sell that. Eventually you will make work that sells and you will be so busy making art that you wont have time to even be concerned with fear.

i dont think you ever overcome it, but you grow a thicker skin and over time stuff like bad reviews or rejection from galleries dont sting so much

Hi Everyone,

I have the same issues and I think it stems from a couple things: 1. I didn't study art but I've always created and done well, above average if you will, in the few classes I took here and there.  2. I was told at a very young age "you don't want to be a starving artist.  You need to have a real career."  So, here I am with my real career in computers but my love is still for art. 

I go through phases where I feel confident and almost cocky about my work while creating and when done.  But  then I put it out there, and my confidence drops because I see other people's work and feel they're much more talented than I.  I get great feedback and have had a a few requests to buy a few pieces, but I wasn't ready to let go of them.  My paintings are a part of me.  I know that's something I need to get past as well but what I need the most is to not look at everyone else's works and think "those are real artists", I need appreciate others artwork and still be able to look at mine and think "I am an artist and belong on the walls as much as the others." 

Artofcuret - It's so true how as artists, we spend so much time in our own heads.  I'm completely miserable when I don't create for long periods of time.

RLane - Thanks for the advice on the book... I'll go check it out and let you know what I think.

Supercoolbabe - Thanks for opening this discussion.  I am right with you in the fear department.  I found that it does help to find a local place that shows emerging artists or even just local artists at say the local pub or gallery and show your stuff!  Listen to what people say, but most importantly, listen to yourself.  If you enjoy what you do, then that's what matters most.  It's hard, I'm trying to live by my own words, but it's the truth.

Thanks all for listening.

Rae