Are you your own worst enemy? Terrified of failure? Do you sometimes ask yourself what the hell you are doing? Afraid to take breaks, or constantly looking for excuses not to continue working? Comparing yourself to the others, and does it seem like the others are far ahead? For what it’s worth: it’s all part of the job. Welcome to the club.
But it’s certainly not fun. Especially when it gets extreme. Intervene in time and ask for help. You can always contact Flanders Arts Institute.
Perhaps these tips can also help as first aid when faced with self-sabotage and other troubles.
The first person to convince that you are a professional artist … is yourself. This has to do with the all-too-human fear of not being good enough. Each artist experiences an existential crisis at some point. It’s good to question yourself and self-doubt is common to everyone, but it shouldn’t be paralysing. It often helps to talk about it with peers or colleagues you trust. Why not give constructive feedback to each other’s work and plans in a safe setting?
Some artists never launch because they keep thinking they’re not yet ready. Don’t undermine yourself. There’s an entire middle layer in the sector consisting of people who are interested in new work and/or new makers. Gallerists, programmers, curators, art dealers, former artists,… talk to them, have coffee with them, invite them to meet, ask for their feedback. It’s their job.
Your job is your passion? That’s nice. But where does the job end and the rest of your life begin? You don’t have to sacrifice your body and mind in the name of art. Building a sustainable career is a marathon, not a sprint. Take care of yourself and rest when you need to.
Sometimes the pressure to surprise is so great that nothing comes at all, let alone something new. Patience! It’s something all artists experience. Being under pressure and creating don’t always go hand in hand. Many artists state that they benefit greatly from their non-artistic jobs. Being away from the arts for a while gives them oxygen, oxygen that often brings new inspiration.
You’ll never be able to please everyone. Sometimes the recognition will not be there or will be delayed. Each artistic career has moments of so-called “failure”: a rejected subsidy request, a disappointing premiere, a bad review. The corona pandemic has simply added to the risks. For a long time, makers were unsure whether the work they were developing could ever be shown. Think of your career as a marathon rather than a sprint. As painful as failure or rejection is, chances are it’s just another step along your path.
Competition in the arts is tough. There are many talented artists and they all deserve opportunities. Together these makers form an inspiring context for one another. It’s wise not to compare your own career too harshly with that of others. Each practice is different. Better to evaluate yourself in terms of your own vision and plans. Where were you a year ago? Have you grown? What have you learned? And so on.
Do you work in the arts and have a question? Are you looking for a critical sounding board for your new project?
