Artist Strong Blog
Enjoy interviews and articles about creative process and our inherent creative spirit.
Why You Should Break These 5 Art Rules: 5 Popular Beliefs Artists Should (Mostly) Ignore
As artists, we are constantly bombarded with "rules" and expectations about how we should approach our craft. From drawing fundamentals to the idea that certain techniques are “cheating,” the art world loves to set standards that can sometimes feel stifling. But the...
Why Batching Your Art Isn’t What You Think: Addressing the Top 3 Objections
Batching your art practice is often misunderstood. When I mention batching, some artists immediately push back with common concerns: “I’m not a production line.” “I don’t want to be pigeonholed.” “Batching kills my creativity.” If you’ve thought any of these, you’re...
How to Draw or Paint Anything: Building the Foundations for Artistic Freedom
The dream of being able to draw or paint anything you want is shared by almost every artist. It’s the creative freedom to bring any idea to life without feeling limited by skill or technique. But here's the secret: the path to achieving that freedom isn’t necessarily...
Batching Isn’t Boring: It’s How Artists Find Flow
What if the secret to feeling less scattered in your studio… is to work on more than one artwork at once? I’m not just talking about multiple works in progress. I’m speaking about something strategic that helps you show up more and make more art. Yes, really. It’s...
Messy Sketchbooks, Masterpieces Later: Why Process > Perfection
“My Sketchbook Has to Be Perfect”: Expectation vs. Reality (and Why Page 37 Still Matters) When you picture a “real” artist’s sketchbook, what comes to mind? If your brain flashes to those gorgeous viral videos with immaculate botanical drawings, watercolor spreads...
I Didn’t Believe I Was an Artist Until My 30s. Here’s Why (and What Changed)
I Didn’t Believe I Was an Artist Until My 30s. Here’s Why (and What Changed) For years, I hesitated to call myself an artist. Even though I made art. Even though I loved making it. Even though I couldn’t imagine my life without it. Hey there! 👋 I'm Carrie. Here on...
Why I Stopped Waiting to Feel “Ready” to Make Art
Why I Stopped Waiting to Feel “Ready” to Make Art For the longest time, I thought I had to earn the right to make meaningful art. I told myself I’d create that dream painting once I got better. That I’d start a sketchbook once I had more time. That I’d try oil paints...
What’s Really Holding You Back from Making Art? (Hint: It’s Not Talent)
What’s Really Holding You Back from Making Art? (It’s Not Talent) Let’s be honest: making art can feel really hard sometimes. And if you’ve been avoiding your creative practice, it’s easy to jump to a painful conclusion: maybe I’m just not talented enough. But I’m...
You Don’t Have to Sell Your Art to Call Yourself an Artist
One of the most commonly search phrases when you look at Google or Pinterest is: How To Sell Art How, How To Sell Art work How To Sell Art on Etsy How to sell Art on Instagram? How to sell art online online How to sell art on Pinterest How to sell art at craft fairs…...