Since I’ve taken a break from my art, and finished my exhibition, I feel this little twinge each time I go on Instagram and spot another artist making work I admire.
Sometimes, it’s a wee bit of jealousy, like I wish I had thought of that. Other times, I look at their skill and it makes me wonder about my own.
Have you ever caught yourself in the game of comparison?
Hi my name is Carrie and here on Artist Strong I help artists like you build your skill and develop your unique artist voice. Today I want to talk about the problem of comparison and how being uncomfortable is actually a necessary part of the artist journey.
Lately, I’ve been applying and applying to shows, grants, exhibitions, you name it and I’ve been rejected from every single thing I’ve applied to for my art since my solo exhibition. It really stings. But here’s the thing. Some of the applications have been for art that was part of that solo show, that won a grant. So while intrinsically I know the work has worth, it’s also been externally validated too.
That doesn’t stop me from scrolling through Instagram lately wondering when I’m going to “make it.”
Sometimes, we can create benchmarks or goals and think, “once THIS happens, I know everything will be better.” But each and every time we hit a new goal or new level of success, we often forget to celebrate where we’ve been and how hard we’ve worked to get where we are currently.
Part of the problem is our human nature to avoid discomfort. We like being comfortable. It’s easier. It feels good. It doesn’t require a ton of emotional or physical energy.
But. Here’s the kicker. The ONLY way to grow, the only way to continue to uplevel, the only way to build skill is to get uncomfortable.
There are lots of ways to expand outside of your comfort zone. YOU know what it feels like when you feel challenged. If you always choose easy things to work on, you will plateau in your ability as an artist. This is okay if you are satisfied to be where you are. But if you aren’t, maybe it’s time to listen to that inner artist acting up when you see someone’s work in your feed.
And when we do feel that twinge of discomfort from comparing ourselves to others: this is information.
We can transform this from something that makes us feel insecure, or down about our own growth and success, into an empowered action.
Ask yourself: what triggers you about the artist? What is it you wish you could do or have that they have? Take some time to reflect and really be honest with yourself here. For me, it’s usually about skill level. Sometimes it’s about sales.
The good news is those are all things I can choose to do something about.
Let’s pause here a moment to thank today’s sponsor. This post from Artist Strong is brought to you by The Artist Strong Studio, our community of patrons who believe in and wish to support this community. You can become part of the Artist Strong Studio for a small monthly commitment as low as 1 dollar a month. To learn more visit https://www.patreon.com/ArtistStrong.
A special thank you to current patrons, I couldn’t do this work without your support.
Now it’s your turn: if you are feeling brave, tell us what’s behind that twinge of discomfort you feel and what you can do about it! Let’s get this conversation started in the comments below.
Thank you for watching and I’ll see you next time on Artist Strong.
As someone who has loved art all her life but has only treated it as a serious pursuit in recent years, I am very familiar with the comparison game. At times, when I have seen art I admire, I have felt jealous that the artist has achieved something I felt was out of reach for me. I have also felt angry when I have seen art that I thought I could make but which was getting a lot more attention on social media than mine was at that moment! But I feel like I have gotten better at managing these feelings. When they happen, I take them as signals pointing me to what I need to work on — sometimes that is skill, so I take a course or make an effort to study fundamentals. Other times it’s about marketing, so I try and carve out more time for that. Beyond that, I try to work on my mindset and do something that I know will put me in a happy, more clear-headed place — like making art without having any expectations about the results.
Hi Jennifer, thank you SO much for sharing. I think it’s great you noted the different ways comparison can show up as I’m sure you are not the only one that has experienced either version of comparison. And I love your intention to “make art without expectation.” That’s so often when my best stuff shows up, and for some reason I keep fighting this! Great conversation.
I also fight making art without any expectations. It feels like it will be a waste of time. But it never is!
It never is 🙂
Ive played the comparison game so well that it scared me off instagram. My thoughts of inadequacy and the fear of never attaining the skill level other artists are at. It looks like it comes so easily to them and the depth their art has is amazing. Then i look at my work and think a toddler could do what i do and i just convince myself im better off not trying.
Hi Lorena, it sounds to me like you have a case of perfectionism. I can tell you people have told me I’m talented and I make it look easy, but it’s taken nearly 30 years for me to figure out my skill. Why should someone match mine (and I know I still have a lot to learn) when they have perhaps just started, or spent 6 months?
Instagram is a curated space. So comparing there is like “keeping up with the Joneses” because most people only show their best selves there.
I recently wrote too, depending on our art education background, most adults do draw like 8-10 year olds developmentally do because that’s when they were told art was not important or they were no good at it. If that’s the last time someone has spent any real time making art, why should anyone expect their skill to be better as an adult? Skill is something acquired through practice. And if you want it, YOU CAN do it 🙂
Sometimes it’s good to wait to share on social media until we feel ready. There is no reason we have to share our art with others until we are ready. <3
Thanks so much for sharing here, the more we talk about it, the more we can take the power of comparison away!
In my studio I have my mantra hanging …it’s a quote from T. Roosevelt “Comparison is the thief of Joy” My work has been praised, rejected, dismissed and applauded. I quiet my inner critic by constantly observing my environment and finding joy in “playing” in the studio. That “playing “ centers and thrills me and Keeps me moving forward
A wonderful quote to keep close. Thank you for sharing Linda! It’s comforting to all artist to hear we aren’t alone in facing the multiple experiences people can have with our art.