Many artists feel guilt about so many things: not being productive enough, not making the artwork they “should” be making, not achieving their goals quickly enough as an artist, even just for using expensive art supplies!
- 1 min. short (evil voice)
- 2 min. video (summary)
- 45 min. video (discussion)
This video explores the many layers of guilt experienced by artists. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artists Alex Rowe and Lauryn Welch.
Video Walkthrough
- What is art guilt?
- Using expensive art supplies can cause guilt.
- Not being productive “enough” during Covid 19 quarantine.
- The artwork we “should” be working on.
- Lauryn’s guilt for not doing enough thumbnails & prep work
- Commissions vs. Personal Art
- Guilt that you have let down your family, who supported your art.
- Artists are not just their art, we are whole people with many parts to our lives!
- There are so many layers of art guilt, and so many versions of it.
- Expectations from teachers and peers.
- The artwork we love doing, but don’t think is “serious” enough.
- Combination of “Mom guilt” and artist guilt is difficult.
- Guilt that you are not making your best artwork.
- Worry that an artwork is taking too long to complete.
- Feeling pressured to choose between your partner and your art.
Jordan’s Tips
Doing your best and being “the best” are two very different things. If I were to talk to my 6 year old self and see artwork I was doing then, “my best” was not “the best” drawing there ever was.
This is an illusive and uncatchable goal to be “the best.” Accept your current skill level and simply work towards moving forward on it 🙂
