Being “authentic” could be getting in your way of success.
Recently I was at an art show and complimented an artist on her painting. Before I could say why (or before she asked me to tell her more), she started telling me how she wasn’t sure if she should have entered it into the show and started listing off all the things she thought were wrong with it.
ARGH!!!! This blew my mind! 🤯
Her self-deprecating comments had me starting to doubt the work…As she talked, I began to feel not so favourable toward the piece. It came to the point where instead of thinking about how I could justify buying it, I switched to believing her and started to think negatively about the piece. She had unwittingly changed a possible sale into a for-sure no sale!
As I sat down to write this post, I began thinking about this tendency of artists to speak negatively about their work. It’s not uncommon. In fact it’s shocking how many artists criticise or belittle their work and even themselves at an exhibition! And I’m talking here about seasoned artists who should know better. It’s one thing to be self-critical about your work in an environment like my IGNITE! Membership – a place of learning and growth – it’s another to sound off that way at a show into which your work has been accepted!!
Which brings me to the idea of being “authentic” when it comes to telling the story about your art.
I agree that “being authentic,” being YOU, is a good thing. It’s a good thing in your art as well. But here’s the catch…
If you’re putting your artwork out into the world, you’re going to feel vulnerable and you’re going to feel some imposter syndrome. Even when your art has been accepted, you may feel it isn’t good enough.
It’s at this point that you have two options:
Option 1. Be your “authentic self” by honestly sharing your ponderings about the worthiness of your art with those you’re interacting with at a show, people who may be possible buyers. Self-deprecating yourself and your art in some way ultimately shows a lack of confidence in your abilities which certainly doesn’t engender confidence in a buyer.
Option 2. OWN YOUR ARTISTRY! Do NOT put yourself or your artwork down!! Instead, talk about your work in a confident, assured way. You know what’s good about it. Focus on talking about that! Go ahead and tell us the story behind the artwork. Be authentic about that!
I guarantee you’ll not only get more people interested in your work by taking Option 2… but you’ll realise that imposter syndrome is just a voice in your head, that ohhh so lovely (not!) Inner Critic, and that your work IS good enough…
Listen, I’ve done this myself. When our work is hanging up for all the world to see, we feel vulnerable and yes, fearful about what others will say, and so in a way, by talking negatively about the work, we’re pre-empting what we believe others might think, saying, Yes, I realise it’s got problems. We’re trying to protect ourselves. But doing this at a show, with your art hanging, is not going to help your painting find its forever home!
Instead, think about why you painted it. And when someone expresses interest in the piece, share that information. Tell them about how the art came into being. Describe what inspired the piece and/or explain the process behind the painting. Be that authentic self, the one that believes in themselves. And their artwork.
Summary: There’s a time and place for everything. When your art is out in the world but you don’t feel your work is good enough (which oftentimes we don’t)… please DO NOT BE AUTHENTIC about that. Instead, CHAMPION YOUR CREATIONS! 💪 Confidence comes from action, and if you always put yourself or your work down… you’ll never get your art out there and the person who it’s made for will never have the opportunity to bring it home. And a painting that’s loved enough to be bought is the ultimate compliment and this is what will truly grow your confidence.
Does any of this resonate with you? Have you ever taken Option 1 instead of Option 2? Are you guilty of being so authentic that you share everything you think is wrong with your work i.e. your inner critic gets to speak out loud?? If you feel safe telling your story, I’d love to hear so please leave a comment.
So, next time you’re at an exhibition where your work is hanging and someone shows interest in it, be authentic for sure, but be strategic about that authenticity. Don’t spill the beans on all you see that’s wrong with it. Instead, be proud and confident in your work and reveal the journey behind its creation.
Until next time!
~ Gail
PS. A big thank you to Andrew and Pete for their words that inspired this post!!
PPS. I wrote another post on the way we DON’T VALUE our work!!
19 thoughts on “Being Authentic: When Being Real Can Hurt Your Art”
I’m fortunate to have come from a sales background, so I learned when to keep my mouth shut! There’s definitely an art to the sales pitch, well worth studying.
Good for you Susan!
And yes to the art of the sales pitch. I admit that it’s not my forté but I too can at least keep my mouth shut!!
I remember way back in elementary school, we were made to feel guilty for showing too much pride in our work. Sometimes we were expected to do an assignment in a certain way, and if we “colored outside the lines,” so to speak, our work was criticized. It was many decades later that I started showing my art to others and then participating in Art League events. A pastel was accepted in an exhibit and an acrylic earned an honorable mention. Every year, I create a Halloween card and send copies to family and friends. I do it for my own pleasure and fulfillment.
Veronica, thank you for sharing your experience. I relate to your early childhood schooling of dampening down any pride we might show in our work. Crazy isn’t it!!
I’m glad that you moved past that and now show your work and are acknowledged for it 🎉 And that you create for the pure pleasure of it!!
Catholic School?
Thank you Gail. I have had this problem for years but have had my backside kicked hard by two very dear friends who are both Master pastelists here in NZ. As an example, I finished a pastel of 3 little single roses I had photographed some years ago. I didn’t think it was good enough to frame, but posted it onto our PANZ Facebook page. It got so many hits, I was flabbergasted. I was putting another piece into an online competition, so thought I would shove this one in too. Out of 432 entries, 108 were selected and that included BOTH of my entries. My confidence has grown 10 fold and I will no longer put myself down. I am sending this blog onto one of our local pastel artists who does beautiful portraits of her grandchildren, but continually says they are not good enough because there is this and that wrong !!! She has also been good for me because I see myself. Love your blogs. Always learn something.
Ohhhh Glenys, thank you for sharing your own journey with this tendency to de-value our work. I know it will be helpful for other artists to hear!
I’m so glad you got some backside kicking and have now been successful. We just never know how our artwork will resonate with others but by saying something flippant or negative about it not only undermines what a viewer admires about it, it dishonours their opinion.
Great blog, thank you!
If I show one of my pastels, I usually like it and have done my critique at home.
Now if someone else critiques it, I may deflate a litte, but know I’ve done my best. And it may be a good point.
Important to know.
Thanks Barb!
Getting “negative” feedback from others can be hard to hear. If we ask for it, then we need to be open to hearing it. As hard as it can be, we must remember we are in a learning mode. And as you say, it may indeed be a good point!
Someone just thanked me for a painting of mine that he received as a gift. I was about to answer with a “hope it’s all right and you can always put it in the back room! “‘ Then I stopped and read your post and changed it to “ thanks – it was such an awesome photo to work from and I loved painting this for you! “
Claire, reading your comment actually gave me goosebumps!! I’m so glad the post arrived in time to change what you said to him!! What a difference I feel when reading those two statements – one uplifts, the other, well, yeah.
I hope EVERYONE reads your comments because it’s a perfect example! Thank you for sharing it 😁
Yes, option 1 is always on my mind. It is my nemesis when I create work all the time. Veronica did bring out a few thoughts from past classrooms and workshops. Thank you for bringing these issues to the forefront. Definitely will scrutinize carefully every word for future conversations about my work.
I hear ya Michele! I think most of us lean towards Option 1. The more you become aware of it, the more you can pause, rethink, and say something positive about the piece!
I am currently in a show that is surrounded by excellent other pastels. I was able to see mine measured up. I am working the show on Wednesday and will be very aware to share my why. I also have sales background.
That’s fantastic to hear Margot! People want to know all the ins and outs, the background story, the why.
And super you have a sales background! Let us know how it goes on Wednesday!
Thank you for this great article, Gail! I have been painting with pastels for 4 years (after watercolors and oils) and absolutely love them (where have they been all my life?) Recently, a local art club with which I am affiliated had a large, heavily attended show in conjunction with a 3 week long music festival (symphony and more). As a participating artist, I had a beautiful space with 12 paintings for sale. Throughout the show, I sold 4 paintings, and wonderfully, I happened to be there to talk to all 4 buyers. I loved talking about where I was, what inspired me (the dappled light, the soothing river, etc.) why I paint, and other anecdotes. As an intrinsically shy person, it was a delight. One young man told me he loved everything about my painting and told me this was his first purchase of original artwork. Another lady who bought a painting from me last year emailed me so she could be sure to catch me to chat when she came to buy her second piece.
My point is this: let your passion, excitement, and love for your art fuel your discussions with admirers! Never pushy, but real.
This is sooooooo wonderful to hear Nancy!! Thank you so much for sharing your own experience of selling your work and advice to others for doing so!!
When I first started pasteling, I kept being told that landscapes was what I should focus on, but I LOVE animals – especially farm animals, so that’s what I paint. My farm animal paintings keep finding new homes and seem to bring a lot of joy to my clients. That fills my heart. Like you wrote, when asked I always try to explain the “why” behind the work – it often resonates with the client. Conversely, for me as the buyer, when I understand what the artist is looking to convey, I often then “see it” and sometimes their works go home with me!
Yay Lori! 🎉 Both to sharing the WHY behind your work to potential buyers and also for painting what YOU love!!! And thanks for sharing the other side of the fence, you as a buyer.