There is a lot of feedback out there nowadays saying that if you want to get your artwork seen in galleries or even try to become “famous” that you have to create your own style.

Hearing this a lot of people make one more assumption: this means you are stuck with one style for the rest of your life, too.

I don’t know who told you this, but I’m here to tell you today it is a lie that you have to stick to one style in your art.

Hi, my name is Carrie Brummer and here on Artist Strong I help creatives like you build your skill and develop your unique artist voice. Today I want to talk about the belief that being known for a single style means you’ll be boxed in and stuck.

You can be known for, sell or focus on exhibiting a single style of art you are known for while also mixing things up, challenging yourself, and doing work that isn’t confined to a single box.

A lot of people have this assumption about artists from history as well, that they stuck to one style. What’s happened is many have been recognized or celebrated for a single part of their artistic journey, that doesn’t mean artists only created art in that single style!

Contemporary artist Kara Walker is one example of working in multiple media to share her message and artistic exploration. She is often known for her paper cut silhouettes but she has also created work in paint and large scale sculptures.

Here’s the thing. When you look at her work you can see a connecting thread, or style, between media because she has created it. That doesn’t mean she’s been boxed into one idea or one style. It means it’s her art!

I have a hunch that a lot of artists we think of as successful have done a lot of experimentation and play but since we haven’t spent the time studying and looking at their art across their entire lives, we draw assumptions about them being pigeonholed or kept to one style.

Ultimately, the only person that can box yourself into one style is you. 

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Now it’s your turn: have you always thought artists must have a single style of art? Why or why not?

Who from history or contemporary art has inspired you? Tell me more in the comments below.

There is a lot of feedback out there nowadays saying that if you want to get your artwork seen in galleries or even try to become “famous” that you have to create your own style. Hearing this a lot of people make one more assumption: this means you are stuck with one style for the rest of your life, too. I don’t know who told you this, but I’m here to tell you today it is a lie that you have to stick to one style in your art.