Finding Your Narrative As An Artist
AI art is on the rise, and as an artist, I want to reassure you original art is here to stay.
Personally connecting with our audience is the most important aspect in building a successful art career, so we must utilise our most human attribute; connection; something AI art could never compete with. And to build connection with your audience, you must first build and understand the connection you have with your own art. Figuring out your 'why' as an artist can be quite daunting, it can sometimes take years or a whole lifetime to truly understand all of the reasons, let alone understanding all of the subconcious elements behind our work. On a surface level, we create because we want to. But there is always a deeper meaning to the work we create, and you really want to pin-point what that is, so you can connect with an audience with similar values and interests to you.
So, to better understand your own artist narrative, I have written out some key things to consider to help you dive into your 'why'.
• Reflect on your experiences: Think about the experiences and events in your life that have shaped who you are as a person and an artist. What inspired you to become an artist? What challenges have you overcome?
Personally, I have found nature as a source of healing in difficult times, I never really knew how much I felt connected to the natural world until I started developing my work, and even then it took a while to really get into the deep roots of why it fascinated me so much. It gave me hope in times of darkness, and that's why I can't get enough of using nature as my inspiration, and bringing that hope and light into peoples homes who are also calmed by the natural world around us is what I truly want my work to accomplish. Adding some serenity and reflection in a world that feels so fast.
• Consider your values: What values and beliefs are important to you? How do these values shape your work as an artist? What does your art say about your values? How is your work aligned with your own perception of life?
• Explore your themes: Take a close look at the themes and subjects that appear in your work. What stories do they tell? What emotions do they evoke? What do you personally feel from your work? How do others react to your work?
• Think about your creative process: How do you approach each piece of art? What techniques and materials do you use? What is your inspiration behind each piece? How do you start? How do you know when a piece is finished?
• Seek feedback: Ask others for their thoughts on your work and your story as an artist. What do they see in your work that you may not? Ask your audience about what they think your story is, how you can improve, how well do they know your themes?
By taking the time to reflect on your experiences, values, themes, and creative process, you'll begin to see patterns and connections that will help you form a clearer and more compelling story as an artist, I hope this has helped you open your thoughts to telling your own authentic story. Sit with these questions for a while. Sometimes we know what we are trying to say, but we aren't quite saying it, make sure your vision is clear, and then you can start to really streamline your 'why'.
Thank you for reading, Katie Alize