How To Overcome Fear as an Artist

We all experience fear at some point in our lives, especially when it comes to our passions and endeavors.

For artists, fear can be a major obstacle that prevents us from achieving our greatest potential.

In this blog post, we'll discuss some tips on how to overcome fear as an artist.

Read on!

1. Firstly, why it's important to face your fears as an artist.

In order to be a successful artist, it's important to face your fears. By doing so, you'll learn more about yourself and become better at what you do.

Facing the fears is the first step. Look at them head on, so to speak. Then you can begin digging deeper and recognise them for what they are.

2. How to identify the fears that are holding you back

One of the most important things to think about as an artist is your fears. I know that many artists have a fear of failing, but there are other fears we tend to ignore.

Fears like not selling, criticism from others, our art being misunderstood, not being ‘on trend’, getting rejected by galleries, not painting the ‘right sort of art’, whatever that is or simply making a mistake.

The list goes on!

3. Strategies for overcoming your fears and moving forward with your art career.

A. Sit down and write a list of your fears surrounding your art making. Where did those fears come from? Was it something someone said? Is is true? Does it even matter, really?

False Evidence Appearing Real!

B. If you could painting without any fear at all, just for the pure joy of it, how would that look? How would you really like to paint?

Do that! That’s the key.

Here's a tip: stop looking at what other people are doing and just focus on your own work. You'll get better results that way!

Self comparison is a killer of creativity, someone said.

You have your own unique creative voice that the world needs to hear.

4. Tips for staying motivated when fear threatens to take over.

It's easy to let fear get the best of you. It's an emotion that can come out of nowhere and immobilize us. The key to staying motivated is simply learning how to deal with it, so it doesn't stop you from reaching your goals.

Recognise it for what it is, confront it face on.

Focus on the positive and remember why you're doing this. Remind yourself that it's worth struggling a little bit to achieve your goal because what you'll gain will be worth it.

5. The importance of self-compassion in the creative process

In order to be creative, you need self-compassion. It allows you to embrace your mistakes and failures, so that you can learn from them instead of beating yourself up for making them in the first place.

TIP: Celebrate your successes - even the small ones - as a way of reinforcing positive behavior and motivation. Take time out to enjoy that success and enjoy life before jumping into the next project.

6. Find An Art Community Tribe

Seek feedback from others but be selective about who you listen to (and who you take advice from) in order to avoid self-doubt or discouragement. Remember that criticism or critiques are only one persons opinion.

I’d also recommend finding an art tribe. One that is encouraging, that you can safely share your art journey with. Being an artist is often a solo process so you need some community and connection, even if it’s online.

7. Don’t let others throw you off course.

Your art is YOUR art, it’s not theirs! People will always have opinions about your art, how they think you should paint, what you should or shouldn’t paint etc.

Whether it’s abstract art, representational, collage, portrait or decor. It’s YOURS! I’ve been thrown off course myself, too many times due to opinions of critics and others.

Enjoy being the creative person you were born to be with your own creative voice and vision.

On a more personal note, I recently decided that if I was going to continue with my art for another 20 years then it needed to be a joy and bring a zest in my daily life. That meant no more worrying about the opinions of others. Follow my heart and create how and what I want to create!

The fear of failure can be a major obstacle in any artist’s pursuit to create their best work and live up to their potential. Fear is present in all aspects of art, but it can often manifest itself as artists struggle with decisions such as when or whether they should quit their day job for the sake of pursuing art full-time. This was one that I also personally faced.

Why do you experience fears? What are some ways that you overcame them so far?

Thanks for reading!

You can see more of my art & subscribe to The Atelier News for studio updates, exclusive offers & exhibitions at;

www.OliviaAlexanderArt.com