*I’ve moved my blog, this post was originally published on September of 2024
One of the things I have heard and read many times is artist’s say how they have or have had that voice that say’s you’re not good enough. When I first started as a self-taught artist I felt this a lot. I compared myself to other artist. To their long list of accomplishments, their degrees, and their experience.
The first thing to do to not let that “You’re not good enough” voice consume you is to
Stop comparing yourself to other artist
We all have something to say in our own way. I believe true art is just the best expression of a feeling. As an artist your only job is trying to make your art capture your feeling to your satisfaction.
Just this alone has helped me tremendously. Only focusing on what am I trying to say? Does this painting achieve that? How can I make it even more clear or close to my feeling? When you think in these terms it’s hard to have the time to worry about other people’s art and comparing yourself to them.
It’s okay to see others art. It can inspire you. I frequently look at old master painters and admire their work. I try to see exactly what I love about it and how can I translate that to my own works, or sometimes I just view and appreciate the beauty.
The next thing that has helped me is anytime I finish a painting I try to find one thing I like about it. That way I don’t look at my painting as a failure. Which goes hand in hand with giving into the “I’m not good enough” thought pattern. Being an artist is about learning, growing, and evolving. So, you will create many things you don’t absolutely love but if you are able to find one thing and build on that with time, and practice you will see a huge improvement in your work.
Here is a painting I did recently that I was not satisfied with. But I don’t consider it a waste of my time. I was able to find one thing, the softness the painting gives off that I’m very pleased with. So although I will not be using this painting I can draw something from it for my next painting.
The last thing that has helped me is recognizing when I’m saying in my head, “You’re not good enough”. I don’t so much say these words in my head but more often I see my hesitation in moving forward with something.
Sometimes I’ll mask it with “I don’t really want to do that because-“. But when I truly examine my feelings I see that behind that hesitation is the fear of rejection or failure. If I allow that fear to take hold then it will stop me from possibly some wonderful experiences. So always take time to meditate on your decisions. Is this truly what you want or are you allowing that negative underlying fear of rejection to hold you back.
The most important advice I have is to not take anything too seriously. I find when you bring too much seriousness into anything you do you will destroy the joy.
Most of us create because it brings us joy, so never stop creating with joy.
Jessica Becker Art 
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