Don't Play the Blame Game

by Debra Keirce

Nov 25, 2025

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Today’s Article

The following article was written by Debra Keirce, a regular contributing author to The BoldBrush Letter.

Don’t Play the Blame Game

This article is for artists who are striving for more and wondering why it’s not working yet.

We all dream of the sold-out show, the waiting list of collectors, the million-dollar bank account. We imagine creating freely in our studios, selling everything we make, and living the life we’ve always envisioned.

There’s nothing wrong with dreaming big. In fact, it’s essential.

But let’s get real. There’s no magic brush, no secret technique, no hidden society that guarantees success just because you followed all the “right” steps.

A perfect resume doesn’t equal sold work. Mastery doesn’t automatically mean money.
That truth stings.

Artists work hard - really hard - for years, even decades. They take classes, follow advice, pay their dues, and some still struggle to make ends meet. After awhile, it starts to feel unfair. You did everything “they” said, and yet the results don’t match the effort.

So, the search for blame begins.

The venue didn’t promote enough.
The judge was biased.
Shipping costs are too high.
The local art scene doesn’t get it.

But here’s the hard truth. Blame won’t build your career.

It’s easy to point fingers. It’s harder, and infinitely more powerful, to take ownership.

We all create because art brings us joy. But what happens when that joy gets overshadowed by financial stress or self-doubt? That’s the crossroads every artist faces.

I’ve been there. I don’t have all the answers, but I’ve learned a few things the hard way.

The Power of a Problem-Solving Mindset

Early on, I made a choice. I wanted to be an artist, but I also wanted a nice roof over my head and money in the bank. So, I built a career in biochemical engineering. Through the ’80s and ’90s, that path gave me stability, but it also meant putting art on pause.

When I came back to it in 2010, I was thirty years behind my peers. But, I brought a systems mindset to the party.

In engineering, you don’t just complain about a broken process. You define the problem, identify the borders and constraints, analyze the parts, test solutions, and optimize until it works.

That’s exactly how I approach my art career.

When things aren’t going right, I ask this one question - “How can I make this work?”

Not “Why isn’t it working?”
Not “Whose fault is it?”
But “What can I do next?”

That simple shift changes everything.

React Less, Reflect More

When someone vents to me about their struggles, I always ask them what solutions have they’ve tried so far.

Usually, there’s silence.

It’s not because they’re lazy. It’s because they’re human. Our instincts make us react before we reflect. That keeps you alive if a bear is chasing you, but it’s not very useful when you’re trying to grow a creative career.

Don’t show up with just a complaint. Pause, reflect, and show up with an idea. Brainstorm. Ideas can be small. They can be imperfect. We all have to start somewhere.

Be the person who looks for what can be done.

Step Up

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people have strong opinions about what should happen, but no desire to help make it happen.

If you can’t lead due to time, age, or health, that’s fine. But there’s always something you can do to move things forward.

And, let’s get some perspective here. We are the most privileged generation of artists in history.

Centuries ago, artists presented masterpieces without electricity, running water, photography, art supply stores, or the internet. They didn’t have global exposure, and yet they created works that have lasted for centuries.

So if I can’t progress with all the tools, knowledge, and platforms at my fingertips today, maybe the problem isn’t someone or something else. Maybe it’s how I’m using what’s right in front of me.

The Real Win

I may never be rich or famous, and that’s okay. If everything I wanted landed in my lap tomorrow, would I even be ready for it?

You’ve seen the stories about lottery winners who crumble under sudden success.

Real happiness isn’t in the outcome. It’s in the journey. It’s the learning, the daily effort, the quiet moments when you realize you’re better than you were yesterday.

If I ever wake up thinking I’m too good to learn, please take away my brushes. I’ll have lost the thing that matters most.

It’s not the applause that keeps me going. It’s the challenge, the problem-solving, the growth.

When I fail (because we all do) I own it.
Not the market. Not the judges. Not the gallery. Me.

The Bottom Line

Some artists strike it big. Good for them. But, luck isn’t a strategy.

For the rest of us, progress comes from consistent improvement. It’s born of the small wins that add up over time.

A life in art is a gift, not a guarantee. It comes with beauty, struggle, freedom, and frustration, all wrapped up together.

The question is, are you willing to accept the whole package?
Or are you still looking for a warranty, a return policy, and someone to blame?

I believe it’s the moment you stop blaming and start building - that’s when your real success begins.

Clintavo’s Curated Corner

**David Youngman**, *Idols Made,* 48” x 48”, Oil on linen. **Learn more on David’s artist website** by FASO

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