SELF ESTEEM for ARTISTS
We live in extraordinary times, keep your chin up.
'Self-esteem is an individual's subjective evaluation of their own worth. Self-esteem encompasses beliefs about oneself as well as emotional states, such as triumph, despair, pride, and shame.’ Wikipedia
Artists usually create their work alone.
A lonely artists life can be enhanced by ‘self-esteem’.
Self-analysis leading to self-esteem is quite difficult because we are bound to be biased. But the advantage of doing it every now and then is that the ‘emotional states of triumph, despair, pride, and shame’ are recognized and out in the open.
That means that it is possible to overcome some self-doubt and give oneself the courage to carry on as a self-employed, self-motivated, self-rewarded, self-controlled artist.
And we need to have those strengths to survive and thrive nowadays because we are very unlikely to get a nice safe job as an artist. It has got to be about yourself. You are in charge.
How to get and grow your self-esteem.
Join groups.
Exhibit with group of other artists.
Encourage criticism.
Balance comments and your own opinions.
Look at positive side of all comments about your work and work practice.
Enjoy yourself.
Explore style and subject change possibilities.
Share the enjoyment.
Show off.
Post pictures of your work onto various display sites eg Pinterest.
Create your own website site to exhibit your work.
Tell site visitors who you are and about your creative practice.
Reward yourself.
Do not pay people to buy your work. Price your work to cover all your costs. Yes all! Including where you do it, how you sell it, as well as material costs. Be brave and honest with your audience and yourself.
You may even make a profit.
Conclusion.
You deserve to have a good balanced self-esteem because artists make the world a better place to live in by being creative and sharing the joy. They are respected. You are respected.
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See previous blog posts about some of the things in this blog.
