#sandra talks

Since I joined tumblr I’ve seen a lot of people posting their art with the caveat that they aren’t “really” an artist and I think this is such an unfair thing that too many of us do to ourselves! The number of artists you follow who would describe themselves as “not really an artist” is likely shocking. I know people in my fandom circle who make incredible, gorgeous art on the regular, and still struggle with the feeling that the art they make isn’t “real” somehow. Sometimes the imposter syndrome comes and goes, sometimes it settles in for the long haul.

Creation of any kind and putting your work out there for the world to see can be a very vulnerable experience. Saying, “but it’s just a thing I drew, I’m not an artist; don’t judge me based on that expectation” is a way we might try to protect ourselves from criticism. (Side note, even constructive criticism should only be offered when specifically requested.) But the idea that art has to be at a certain level to “count” or be “real” is just silly. I think even the idea that an “artist” has to have a certain level of devotion to their craft is silly. You can draw one day a week (or less) and still be an artist. You had a feeling or an idea or an itch or a desire and made an art out of it, one single art? HELLO, FELLOW ARTIST.

Speaking as someone who is regularly guilty of doing this herself, making yourself small hurts! Minimizing your own efforts and describing your own work as “it’s not a real [thing], but--” takes hold and can be very damaging over time. It’s not the way to reach your full potential. It’s not the way to find joy and satisfaction in the things you create. You might just end up moving the goalposts on yourself so much that you never find yourself attaining that supposed “real artist” status in your own mind.

You are an artist. Maybe it feels more comfortable to call yourself a beginner artist, or a casual artist, but that’s a thing you’re allowed to do!