Dying Because of Art
I'm getting so frustrated with trying to create good drawings and paintings because there is always someone that does better than me or learns faster than me. I just want to feel like I have accomplished something...I want to feel like an accomplished artist. It would be great if I obtained a lot of skills at a young age...I thought being 16 was a good age for being a "master of art". Other people that I look up to are about my age and already making a serious name for themselves, why do I always be just stuck in a little corner. All I want to do is improve on my art right now, at this very point in time before I get old and become a complete failure in life. I really am just considering that maybe life isn't worth it for me because I am not getting what I want out of life. I'd rather just get run over by a car..like who cares about me anyway...
I know exactly how you feel. I am an adult and struggle with similar thoughts as an artist, myself. But I have learned that it does no good to compare yourself to others. Because everyone has a unique path.
You are valuable. Your art is valuable. The worth of you is not measured by your art. And the worth of your art is not measured by technical "mastery." I used to feel that way too, until I actually got into the art world, and saw what successful artists are really like.
The truth is, the fine art world is so random. Artists get famous not because they are the most talented, but because some gallery dealer picked them to promote, or because a celebrity tweeted about them, or because they met the right person at the right time. I have met so many successful artists, who are acclaimed and make plenty of money, who are not as technically skilled as I am (in my opinion lol), and likewise I have met artists who had out-of-this-world skill, but still live with their parents at 35.
That said, there are ways to be a successful artist without just blind luck, and also, you will find that you are much happier when you focus on YOU and YOUR ART, as opposed to looking at how well other people are doing.
Art is personal. Talent is subjective. Your art is worthwhile because YOU made it, not because of your technical skill. Ask yourself, why do you make art? Is it just to make something pretty, or to get people to admire you? Or is it because you are wanting to express something inside of you? Put out a piece of yourself into the world?
Focus on that self-expression. Focus on why you really want to make art. Make it personal, make it unique. There is nothing wrong with being technically masterful, but don't let the pursuit of perfection, get in the way of what really matters: what you are trying to convey with your work.
I am new to this site and I don't know what the policy is on posting links, but I subscribe to a few artist sites that teach artists how to be successful and they have helped me gain perspective on what really matters. If you are interested let me know and I guess I'll send you a message if the site lets me.
Bottom line: YOU are so special and important to this world. Art is a gift and it wasn't given to you just to torture you and make you crazy. Each of us, as artists, have our own path and we need to follow it as it reveals itself. You have no idea of the greatness that awaits you. Hold on, keep drawing, and love yourself, because your future contributions to the world, can only be made by you. We need you here. <3
@neonComputer8615 I think you are able to put links in the comments, I guess as long it is not like bad or anything.
I feel like I have been told this before, but I guess I never listen. I mostly make art for myself but its just I want to be at a good skill level before I even attempt to show people or even attempt to like maybe create a story or comic or something. I want my art to look appealing..I know art is just simply expressive and subjective but I don't want it to look like a bunch of stick figures or something. My style is mostly realism art so there is a level of skill I would like to achieve so the viewer can look at it and be enchanted by the art work.
I have a few friends who are really talented and people know them just by looking at their art.
This artist is crazy talented https://tincek-marincek.tumblr.com I look up to her all the time and every time I see her art it blows me away. I think I am younger than her, but still her art is amazing. And this person's art is so clean and lines are so perfect https://scourge-minion.deviantart.com/gallery/. Negshin's Scrap Yard Honour Amongst Thieves (these artist are really good as well)
I wish I could be like them....but no I'm just my dumb self..
Please please please please please read "Mastery" by Robert Greene.
@faithfulTriangle3777 Oh my O.O Well I guess I could look it up.
@faithfulTriangle3777 But why am I reading this though?