Why Artists Struggle

Using crayons my six-year-old daughter and I created canvas art. We used Elmer’s glue and let the crayons dry after we choose the colors. She was really into this! Then I took a blow dryer and turned up the heat slightly while waving it over top of the crayons. I got close but not too close to the crayons. Just enough to let them start melting and drip down the canvas. We put paper towels under them and stood them up at a veritical angle so the crayon wax beautifully displayed could drip and mix into a creative process of mixed colors!

I titled of this article Based on the last year that I have had being an artist. I’ve tried red bubble, Vida designs , merch by Amazon.I tried selling on eBay, Mercari,Facebook and on Etsy. It’s easy to get burnt out and discouraged as an artist before you become successful. Every day I tell myself not to give up.

Realizing that well, my dream is realistic. It will take a lot of hard work and dedication. Self discipline is another word that I have made of importance in this journey as a self taught artist. I remember in 2016, I was quite motivated after moving into a place where other artists resided together in community. This community residence was a nonprofit and it is called Artspace. Living there really helped with motivation and creativity ,knowing that there would be gallery shows for my art to be seen. Soon after these events, I realize that not many people were actually interested in buying the artwork as I thought they would. After all, this is supposed to be a community organization supported by the surrounding community. However,I sold more than I did at the gallery show at a local, farmers market, talking with people and selling small cards that I had made. I had a blast, making them, and they were unique. I was always into card making since I was younger and I have been in the scrapbooking and making mixed media art since I was about eight years old. Anyhow, when I’m trying to say is success mean, I always look as you think it will. I mean, I wasn’t going to become the next Banksy and I knew it.

One of the hardest things about being an artist is getting noticed, because there are many other artists as well. There are so many things now in the digital world that we live in the display so many beautiful works of art. Easy to be hard on yourself and think that your work is not good enough and that is why it’s not selling. However, I don’t think that’s the case. I think we need to be seen more and exposed more as artists. We need to feel important and like we are seen. Sometimes we live inside our own minds. Especially being an artist, we feel different already. Society should realize and awaken to the importance Artists can have and the roles they can help with in their own communities.The best way to show something’s worth is to ,well, buy it! True artwork is not made with a cookie cutter, but with a creative thought, idea or brushstrokes of color on a page releasing an emotion or experience. Artists should be paid well for contributing Art to their local community. How can you extend appreciation for an artist today? If you were a business owner, could have them complete signage with chalk markers on the store window or on a chalkboard. Find a spot for the work to be displayed so that it can be purchased. Your restaurant owner or a coffee shop owner of these are great places for artwork to get recognized. I need to see more local art, in all of the businesses of our surrounding communities. Support artists, realize the efforts it takes them to develop the skills they exhibit and appreciate what you see buy financial support. Artist need money to survive just like business owners do. It’s time for a revolution and an awakening to the world of Art around us. Art creates inspiration, beauty, changes our perception and can create a mood in a room- calmness, creativity, vibrancy.

Thanks for reading my first article on here! Please share it! 😍

Megan Nicole 🎨🖌️