I have just written a blog post on the significance of artistic confidence. Sharing your work is a key method to build confidence.
Artists strive to express their unique perspectives and emotions through their creations. However, sharing and presenting one's creativity can often be challenging.
In his insightful book "Show Your Work", Austin Kleon emphasizes the transformative power of sharing your artistic journey. Thankfully, he provides a roadmap for overcoming these fears.
"Show Your Work" is a valuable manual for artists, offering practical advice and inspiring ideas for presenting their creative endeavors to a broader audience.
Kleon encourages artists to embrace vulnerability and find their authentic voice. He emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities to share their work. I find these insights to be true and worth sharing with you.
The Value of Sharing
For many artists, the prospect of having their work scrutinized and subjected to criticism can be apprehensive. Kleon contends that sharing is a crucial stage in the creative process, though.
By distributing our work, we make ourselves available for insightful criticism, fresh viewpoints, and potential partnerships. Additionally, it enables us to meet people who share our interests and encourage our artistic endeavors.
When I first started sharing my art, I went through this. Sharing my work made me feel silly, but the outcome was exactly the contrary.
My work was greatly appreciated by my coworkers and friends, which inspired me to continue sharing. In my first blog, I do relate a few of my former experiences.
Building a Creative Community
Artists often work alone, but "Show Your Work" emphasizes the importance of connecting with like-minded individuals.
Sharing our creative process not only inspires others but also helps us foster a sense of community and support among artists. Through genuine engagement and mutual encouragement, we can grow as artists and expand our impact.
In his book, Kleon states,
"Instead of wasting their time 'networking,' they're taking advantage of the network,"
referring to those who have embraced sharing as a habit. It is a common mistake that artists and other creatives often make.
We often seek a wider audience while neglecting the existing audience we already engage with. Instead, we should focus on and provide value to the audience we already have.
Personally, building my network has involved exhibiting at the World Art Dubai and showcasing my artwork at official functions and community gatherings.
By actively participating in these events, I have been able to connect with fellow artists and art enthusiasts, fostering a supportive network around me.
Accepting Faults and Progress
Kleon supports the idea of sharing "in progress" work as well as accepting faults. By displaying our work at different phases, we enable viewers to see how our concepts and methods develop throughout the course of the creative process.
This openness not only shows our sincerity but also inspires others to accept their flaws and take chances with their own creativity. Be an amateur, he captioned one of his sections. One of his quotes that particularly stood out to me was,
"Amateurs know that contributing something is better than contributing nothing."
Expanding Your Reach
Sharing our work is now much easier than it has ever been because to the digital era. There are numerous avenues for artists to display their work online, including social networking platforms, personal websites, and online portfolios. The book strongly advises all creatives to utilize and capitalize on these channels.
I would really like to concentrate on the final chapter of the book, "STICK AROUND". It's important to never stop doing what you're doing.
Kleon relays a piece of advise Dave Chappelle offered for some young children.
“I guess, whatever you do, don’t quit your show,”
he said.
“Life is very hard without a show, kids.”
Similarly, Joan Rivers says
“In our business you don’t quit. You’re holding on to the ladder. When they cut off your hands, hold on with your elbow. When they cut off your arms, hold on with your teeth. You don’t quit because you don’t know where the next job is coming from.”
Through their works, artists have a special capacity to question social norms and touch people's hearts.
However, if we limit our work within the boundaries of our studios, this promise may go unrealized. A source of motivation, "Show Your Work" serves as a reminder of the transforming force inherent in sharing our artistic journey with the world.
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