Become a better artist by following these 7 simple steps. And it starts with accepting yourself as an artist, even if you don’t consider yourself to be one.
You don’t have to be an artist in a traditional sense. Producer, writer, filmmaker, entrepreneur, designer, programmer, whatever – if you create anything at all, you are creative and an artist.
7 Steps to Becoming a Better Artist
- Give yourself permission to be an artist.
- Create.
- Create more than you think you need to.
- Create when you don’t feel like it.
- Pause. Consume what inspires you. Resume creating.
- Create the best you can. Then try to make it better.
- Repeat steps 2 through 7.
You’re An Artist
Don’t consider yourself an artist? If you create anything at all, then you’re an artist. Now go and create so we can all benefit from your remarkable stuff.
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(Image: Sakaki Maki)
Useful Stuff Elsewhere
10 Steps to Becoming a Better Writer – Brian Clark’s simple process to improve your writing (hint: write, a lot). Where I stole the idea for this article.
8 Comments
Interesting post! Everyone is an artist in their own way; whether this is the art of parenting, the art of cooking, the art of exercise, the art of music, the art of writing, etc. What I have realized is that people often do not realize their art or they do not allow themselves to pursue their art because many people struggle with a lack of self worth. The advice that I provide is that whatever it is that you enjoy doing, that enables you to lose track of time, and is congruent with the “who you are,” make a commitment to incorporate this into your routine on a regular basis. We DESERVE to pursue our passions and spend time developing masterpieces. Be an artist in your own way!!!!
Agreed Jared, and well put: “Be an artist in your own way.”
That’s awesome advice you give to people about making a commitment to incorporate what they enjoy doing into their regular routine. Some people don’t realize that they’re artists – but it’s not important to get hung up on definitions, of course. What’s important is to just create regularly and get better – you do what you enjoy on a regular basis, and you improve, which makes you enjoy it even more. If you release what you do, then others will enjoy it as well. Everybody wins.
Here’s to continuing to incorporate what we love to do into our routine – and encouraging others to do the same,
Oleg
Hey Oleg:
Short and sweet. Very cool! Something that I will have to try doing because sometimes I feel obligated to write long and detailed posts.
I guess I am an artist in way, although I would prefer the word creator better, but either way. I am glad I read this list and #4 hits a home run with me as I am having some motivational issues with my writing.
And it just reminded me to just keep going through the bad times! The more you crate the better you become
Best,
Tomas
Glad that you think this article’s short and sweet Tom
Haven’t done a short and punchy article before, decided to step outside my comfort zone and try one out.
Indeed, the best way to get better at something is to just do it more and more. Of course, one should be focused and effective with their efforts to actually improve and enjoy what they do more, rather than aimlessly creating more of the same and getting stuck in a frustrating creative rut. That’s where stuff like my series on supercharging your creativity might hopefully help some people.
Keep rocking and improving as a creator Tom,
Oleg
It’s great that you focused on just creating. That’s what is important. People forget to make time for what they love, and I think that leads down a dangerous road. I feel most ‘high’ when I am creating.
I’m with you Nathan. I feel a natural high when creating as well. That should be the main focus for any artists/creators/businesses (marketing comes 2nd, of course
). It’s such an awesome feeling to be able to make something you’re excited by and proud of. And if other people benefit from it as well, that’s taking the awesomeness to the next level.
Here’s to focusing on creating,
Oleg
I completely agreed the point of this post.
The more we write the better writer we will become. What I don’t completely understand, is how (judging from the comments) this comes as a surprise to people.
Thanks for reading and commenting as always Chris. Those who commented here seem to understand and practice it (including you), but I’m assuming you’re referring not to them but to people that they were talking about in their comments.
Perhaps some people think there’s a trick to quickly improving in their creations, just like they try to find shortcuts in sports, weight loss, building a business, and so forth. They might even know that simply creating is what makes you better, but they want to find a faster way. But if they realize that if even the best shortcuts won’t let them charade their way through something for too long, then they can just focus on creating and building their foundation.
Of course, this is much easier if you love what you do, since then the creation itself is “making it” – any results are the cherry on top to the enjoyment you already experience. Better to spend your time and energy to discover and pursue your passions than try to find shortcuts in stuff you don’t really care about.
Best,
Oleg