Artist Strong Blog
Enjoy interviews and articles about creative process and our inherent creative spirit.
How to Learn Art as a Beginner (What I’d Do Differently Now)
If I were starting over as a beginner artist, this is exactly how I would learn art. A confidence-first path that builds skill, trust, and identity.
How to Talk About Abstract Art: From Abstract Expressionism to Decorative Painting
How to Talk About Abstract Art: A Guide for Beginners and Experienced Viewers There are moments in museums, galleries, or endless online scrolls when we encounter abstract paintings that simply don’t register. “Why is this an artwork?” is something I often hear when...
When Art Changes History: What Three Artists Teach Us About Making Work That Matters
What Käthe Kollwitz, Jacob Lawrence, and Francisco Goya Teach Us About Making Meaningful Art Today Many artists quietly carry the belief that their work is “small.” That it’s personal, private, maybe even indulgent. That real change happens elsewhere: through...
The Artist’s Guide to Art Warm-Ups: The Drawing Exercises That Actually Improve Your Skills
What Is the Artist Equivalent of Musical Scales? Imagine the not-so-sweet sounds of a beginner flautist testing their instrument. Or a violinist squeaking their way through a practice session. Lovely, right? I started playing flute in second grade, and something...
How to Study an Artist’s Style: Sergio Bustamante
Style Study Session: Sergio Bustamante How to Study an Artist’s Style How do you study an art style? How do you learn a specific art style? How do you analyze art styles? How do you find your own unique style? In this Style Study Session, we’ll use the six qualities...
What Is Derivative Art? How to Grow From Influence Into Your Own Artistic Voice
Why Your Art Looks Like Someone Else’s (And How to Fix It) If you’ve ever looked at your work and thought, “This looks too much like the artist I follow on Instagram…” you’re not alone. Every artist who has ever created anything has wrestled with the fear of being...
How to Understand Your Creative Confidence (and Why It Matters for Your Art)
Feeling Stuck in Your Art? Use the Creative Confidence Meter to Get Unstuck Today If you’ve ever sat down to create and thought… “Where did my confidence go?” “Why can’t I bring the ideas in my head onto paper?” “Am I even an artist?” …you’re not alone. Every artist...
What Does It Mean to Be an Artist? Redefining Creativity for Yourself
What Does It Mean to Be an Artist? “Am I really an artist?” If you’ve ever wondered whether you can call yourself an artist, you’re not alone. It’s a question I hear all the time, and honestly, one I’ve asked myself more than once. Maybe you’ve taken a few classes but...
“Real Artists Don’t Use References?” Let’s Talk About That.
A consistent theme I’ve seen, wherever I’ve lived, from Dubai to Ottawa to Houston, is that artists are the worst at policing one another. We constantly bully and belittle peers for doing it “the wrong way.” From assuming abstract art is easy, to dismissing digital...