Tuesday 01st October 2013
One of the things that makes artists successful is the emotional range they show in their work. The dynamics between positive and negative aren't just visual tools, they're emotional realities that are present in the greatest masterpieces - but there are times when even the best of us start to feel like we're trapped on the negative side of things. If your sales aren't taking off as much as you'd hoped, or you're feeling a huge creative block, it can be easy to start feeling overwhelmed by reality - which is exactly when you need to focus on remaining optimistic the most.
As a freelance artist, you're the one ultimately in charge of your own success. You don't have to answer to any bureaucratic hierarchy, but you also don't have as much of a safety net. This makes it crucial for you to be the one to constantly drive yourself forwards, and this ultimately becomes the difference between success and failure. If you get too focused on the negative, it can become all to easy to quit and try something else - but if you do, you'll never know the heights of success you can reach if you stay optimistic and keep trying.
There are a few great traits that all optimists share that can be vital to your success. The ability to learn from failure is one of the most useful traits they share, as it helps you counteract the negativity associated with failure by drawing something positive out of the experience. Don't see failures as failures, see them as experiments that taught you something about how you work and what you can do differently in the future. Once you start down the road to optimism, it becomes easier and easier - after all, happiness is the easiest thing in the world to share. A better attitude means clients and patrons will be more drawn to you, which only further reinforces your desire for an even better outlook on life. Best of all, optimism and happiness are often the best ways to spark your creativity and get working on the next great masterpiece.
If you're in a bit of a funk right now, there are several simple techniques you can use to start turning things around. First of all, surround yourself with people who in a better headspace than you are. As we mentioned earlier, happiness spreads easily, and if you spend time around people who are in a good creative place, they're likely to inspire you to do the same. Celebrate the achievement of small goals along your road to optimism, and you'll suddenly find yourself accomplishing larger and larger goals, whether it's finishing off that piece that's been languishing on your easel for weeks, or starting a brand new masterpiece. Finally, remember to keep things in perspective. When you're creatively blocked, things can seem a bit overwhelming, but the world doesn't solely exist in this one day: look forwards to your new creative horizons, and do what you can to move towards them.
Posted on October 01st 2013 on 04:47pm