Artist Strong Blog
Enjoy interviews and articles about creative process and our inherent creative spirit.
What Is Visual Literacy? Why It Matters for Artists Today
Visual Literacy Is Not Art Snobbery (It’s the Opposite) There’s a moment almost every self-taught artist has had. You’re standing in a museum, or scrolling past an image online, or flipping through a book. You see a piece that looks simple. Maybe it’s one color. Maybe...
Why Artists Matter in Society (Even If You Think Your Art Is “Just Decorative”)
How Art Protects Perspective, Freedom, and Human Connection There’s a quiet story many artists absorb without ever consciously agreeing to it: That art is extra. That it’s decorative, optional, or indulgent. That when the world gets serious: political, economic,...
Overthinking Your Art? 6 Practical Ways to Break the Cycle
When Thinking Too Much Is Stopping Your Art How to Stop Overthinking and Start Creating Again If you overthink your art, you’re not broken. You’re not undisciplined. And you’re definitely not “not meant to be an artist.” You’re thoughtful. You care. You want your work...
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...