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 Artist Strong, I help self-taught artists go from unsure to unstoppable, so they can create their first real series of artwork and start building a portfolio they’re proud of. 

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I thought the title “artist” was reserved for a chosen few: those with gallery shows, art degrees, or steady sales. I thought you had to be good enough to earn it. And I never quite believed I was.

I had an inner critic that said:

“You didn’t go to ‘real’ art school.”
“You’re not consistent.”
“You’re just playing.”

Looking back, I see now how much those beliefs held me back. They kept me quiet. They kept me small. They made me treat my creativity like a hobby I had to justify, rather than a birthright I could simply claim. Even after having my art displayed at The Smithsonian.

But here’s what changed:

I started calling myself an artist: first quietly in my journal, then out loud to a friend, and eventually in conversations, on social media, and even in my email signature.

And when I did? Everything shifted.

I showed up differently. I gave myself permission to make more art. I judged myself less. I stopped waiting for external validation and allowed myself to enjoy the process, even when it was messy, inconsistent, or just for me.

That simple shift, saying the word, opened up space for growth, freedom, and joy. It helped me become the artist I already was.

Even the Masters Struggled

This resistance to the word “artist” isn’t new.

Vincent van Gogh only sold one painting in his lifetime. He considered himself a failure more than once. He didn’t start painting until his late twenties, and he wrestled with self-doubt constantly. Yet today, we see him as one of the greats.

Grandma Moses didn’t start painting seriously until her 70s. She was a farmer’s wife who picked up a brush after arthritis made it too painful to embroider. She painted for the joy of it. For herself. And eventually, others saw the beauty too.

Frida Kahlo once said, “I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best.” Her self-expression wasn’t about fitting a mold. It was about claiming space for her own truth, and that is what made her iconic.

Even Claude Monet, celebrated now for his genius, was rejected by the official art world early in his career. The word “Impressionist” was first used to mock his work. He and his peers had to create their own shows and spaces before being recognized.

These artists didn’t wait for permission.
And neither should you.

Making Art Just for Yourself Is Enough

There’s this unspoken rule a lot of us carry:
“If no one sees it, it doesn’t count.”
But it does. It absolutely does.

Your sketchbook counts.
The piece you started three times and never finished, counts.
The watercolor you painted while your kid napped and never showed anyone? That counts too.

In the Artist Strong community, this comes up all the time. So many self-taught artists feel guilt when they’re not producing, posting, or performing. We internalize this idea that we have to justify our creative time with progress, results, or proof that it’s “worth something.”

But some of the most healing, powerful work happens off-camera and off-grid.

Art isn’t about proving anything. It’s about expression.
Exploration.
Joy.
Sometimes even survival.

You don’t need an audience to be an artist.
You just need the courage to show up.

How to Start Calling Yourself an Artist (Even if It Feels Scary)

Here are some strategies that helped me, and have helped many artists I work with, start claiming the word:

1. Use the word “artist” in low-stakes ways

Start small. Write it in your journal. Add it to your Instagram bio. Say it out loud to a trusted friend. You don’t need to broadcast it to the world on day one, but getting used to the word in safe spaces builds confidence over time.

One student told me she went to a store and picked up a beautiful blank journal she planned to use for her art. As she was checking out the cashier asked her if she planned to write in it. Her reply? “No, I’m an artist. I’m going to fill it with art!”

2. Create a “proof” folder

Save your favorite pieces. Screenshot compliments. Document the art you’re proud of, even if it’s still in process. On days when doubt creeps in, return to this collection to remind yourself of your growth and creative courage.

3. Practice saying “thank you”

If someone compliments your work, don’t dismiss it. Don’t say, “Oh, it’s just a hobby,” or “I’m not a real artist.” Try saying “thank you.” That one word can be the start of an entirely new relationship with your creative self.

4. Join a community of creatives

You don’t have to do this alone. Find (or build!) a circle of fellow artists (online or in person) who support one another’s growth and identity. Surrounding yourself with people who reflect your creative value back to you is powerful.

5. Make a mantra

A simple phrase like “I am an artist,” “My voice matters,” or “My art is enough” can rewire those old stories. Write it on a sticky note. Put it in your studio. Make it the background on your phone.

If you’ve ever struggled with calling yourself an artist, or wrestled with guilt for creating “just for you,” know this:

You don’t need permission  

You are not alone.
You are not behind.
And you don’t need permission.

I’d love to hear from you:

• What helped you say the word “artist” out loud?
• How do you stay grounded in your “why” when that inner critic shows up?

Your story matters. Your art matters.

 And yes: you’re an artist. Right now. Just as you are.

As always, thanks so much for watching. Please like, subscribe and tell us something you plan to use from today’s conversation to help your art.

Remember: proudly call yourself an artist.

Together we are Artist Strong.