I love this post. And ... I just wrote a book that was released March 10, 2026... title is funny because you have used two phrases in this newsletter that I have as the title of my book ... "It's the Journey / Being An Artist" ... and your words above are exactly as I talk about in this book which is not a technique book, but about "being an artist" and all it entails. It is about positivity just like your article here. I love that I have been a member of your website ... FASO ... for a very long time and highly recommend it to all the artists that I know. Very good article! Thank you for writing it so well and explaining what it takes ... just doing it!!!
Thank you for your support of us! I too just wrote a book about “being an artist.” It is at the editor now, hopefully a release in the fall. I’d love to read your book is it on Amazon?
Wow... can't wait to read your book as well.... and yes mine is on Amazon! If you get it, let me know your thoughts about it... take your time reading it.
"The more these artists stayed in their careers' the less they compared themselves to others..."
That statement rings particularly true. When I was pretty new to painting regularly, I constantly sought validation. Everytime I got rejected from a show, dismissed by a gallery, or overlooked by an awards judge, I felt slighted. One day, an artist friend, someone well established, asked me "Why is it that you always seemed to feel so slighted?" That was a real turning point for me.
That's when I flipped the switch and realized that I what I really needed most was to show up everyday. I realized that good things would happen if I kept painting.
Fast forward, good things really have happened. And I am more focused on my work. And less concerned about what others might think. We really have to do our own thing. Yes, of course, appreciate and take inspiration from the work of others, but don't compare ourselves to them. Heck, they might be comparing themselves to you. You never know.
We can trust that really good art will find it's way in the market. Because, "Good Things Happen When You Paint!"
Truer words have never been spoken!!
I love this post. And ... I just wrote a book that was released March 10, 2026... title is funny because you have used two phrases in this newsletter that I have as the title of my book ... "It's the Journey / Being An Artist" ... and your words above are exactly as I talk about in this book which is not a technique book, but about "being an artist" and all it entails. It is about positivity just like your article here. I love that I have been a member of your website ... FASO ... for a very long time and highly recommend it to all the artists that I know. Very good article! Thank you for writing it so well and explaining what it takes ... just doing it!!!
Thank you for your support of us! I too just wrote a book about “being an artist.” It is at the editor now, hopefully a release in the fall. I’d love to read your book is it on Amazon?
Wow... can't wait to read your book as well.... and yes mine is on Amazon! If you get it, let me know your thoughts about it... take your time reading it.
"The more these artists stayed in their careers' the less they compared themselves to others..."
That statement rings particularly true. When I was pretty new to painting regularly, I constantly sought validation. Everytime I got rejected from a show, dismissed by a gallery, or overlooked by an awards judge, I felt slighted. One day, an artist friend, someone well established, asked me "Why is it that you always seemed to feel so slighted?" That was a real turning point for me.
That's when I flipped the switch and realized that I what I really needed most was to show up everyday. I realized that good things would happen if I kept painting.
Fast forward, good things really have happened. And I am more focused on my work. And less concerned about what others might think. We really have to do our own thing. Yes, of course, appreciate and take inspiration from the work of others, but don't compare ourselves to them. Heck, they might be comparing themselves to you. You never know.
We can trust that really good art will find it's way in the market. Because, "Good Things Happen When You Paint!"