KP Custom Designs

I follow a lot of fellow artists, some big time professionals, most of them small time like myself. All of us just trying to push our way into this world-mostly fueled on far-fetched dreams, angst, a dash of whimsy, and a whole lot of caffeine🤣 But I wanted to pause for a moment & talk about a few things as I see a lot of nasty comments (daily!) directed at artists & I have a few words to say. Especially because I think quite a few of you who follow me are actually small artists of different crafts yourselves & I don’t know who needs to hear this…

Us “Creatives” have a tendency to put a lot of pressure on ourselves, whether consciously or not. And let’s be real here-most artists creative drive doesn’t stem from flowers & rainbows but from a deeper, more personal & sometimes darker place. That being said, one of the most common things I hear from fellow artists is how they struggle with motivation & get stuck in a sort of creative block. Whether you’re a visual artist, dancer, writer, chef, designer, comedian, actor, or other creative professional-we all, in varying capacities, have a tendency towards self-doubt due to overthinking, procrastination, comparison, & low self-esteem. Sometimes just fleeting moments, other times chronically. One of the worst modern-world side effects of social media being the tendency to compare ourselves and inherently, as artists-our work, to others. Everyone does it to some degree(for example; someone does a different style that you’ve always admired or they work in a medium that you just can’t afford to try)…
But it’s all about perspective; it is important to try not to let scarcity mindset creep in on you, after all it tends to happen when anxiety increases at the same time that your account balance is decreasing…That in itself can start a snowball effect where an even bigger problem eventually emerges(since we all know)-stress & tension do not exactly increase creativity. I mean don’t get me wrong, it can sometimes temporarily boost motivation into hyperfocus mode if you’re prone to inattention, but usually not well-rounded quality work and longevity. And did you know that there are actually syndromes specifically related to artist stress? They outline a plethora of mental health symptoms caused by having a creative career-the anxieties, hesitations, concentration difficulties, mental blocks, & low energy-all of the internal, external, real(and sometimes imagined) demands of it.
These stresses tend to be higher in individuals without family or other support regarding their creative career choice. I’ve heard so many recount this exact dilemma and even I have personally experienced many passive aggressive comments(& a few outright criticisms) over the years. Most of them along the lines of “how’s your little hobby going?” or “is that even a real job?”🙄 or “are you any good at it?”
And I have thought to myself afterwards that I’ve literally, never once in my life went into somebody’s place of business and asked if they’re “good” at their job, yet in creative spaces people seem to think that kind of behavior is appropriate or should be accepted, when in actuality-it’s absolutely not necessary and just plain rude.
It doesn’t help anybody. Ever.
If someone’s work isn’t your cup of tea, that’s fine! Just move on. There’s no need to announce it, subliminally or otherwise. Most of us artists are out here just trying to express ourselves in a healthy manner and put food on the table in the process. We already chose a hard route(especially in this economy😮‍💨)so there’s absolutely no need to make it even harder by attacking someone emotionally…
Someone may argue that in putting yourself and your work out there in the public eye and “on display” that that in itself inherently invites others to critique it. And they might argue that acceptance, or at least tolerance of negative criticism, is somehow ✨required✨ in order to do this line of work. But I personally don’t think everyone’s opinion on an artists capabilities and their end product is necessary nor healthy to voice to said artist(especially coming from someone who may have never picked up a brush in their entire life, or a “lay person”) You never know how your mindless comments can be received and how much of a trickle down effect it can have on that person going forward. For us Creatives, our final products are like our babies, having put so much of ourselves into each and every one of them before sending them off into the world. So just because you don’t like their style or subject matter or you think they have some improvement to do, doesn’t mean you should put that thought or feeling out there for them to have to bear. You never know who may or may not be able to handle such criticisms and it could in all seriousness haunt their creative spirit for years to come. Some may be able to take it, a lot of us have thick skin for whatever reason but regardless, no one deserves to have their natural creative growth stunted like that. There’s always going to be people out there that just “don’t get it”-but like that age old saying I grew up with(and we’d all do good to remember)-
“If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all!”

Oh and P.S.-
Running your own creative business is a stress all on its own, as is being between commissions while simultaneously still holding on to the belief that yes, this is a real career.
You’re allowed to do something you’re passionate about!
And no, you don’t have to settle for some meaningless gig because that person or voice in your head told you this is all too far-fetched. Do what you gotta do but just don’t give up. Keep going and don’t talk yourself back out of your calling. If social media has taught me one thing, it’s that there are ALWAYS people that see your happiness and their gut instinct is to tear you down. That is a reflection of THEM, not you! Don’t let the haters and internet trolls get in your head & become their next Casualty of Mediocrity.
🫶🏻✌🏻-KP