The 7 Most Difficult Things About Being An Artist

Are you among those who believe being an artist is stress-free? Think again! There are countless challenges that artists grapple with on their creative journey. Every artist faces unique obstacles, but common struggles unite them.

Here are the 7 most difficult things about being an artist, along with strategies to conquer your artist struggles!

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What Do Most Artists Struggle With?

Creating art isn't a walk in the park; it's a journey fraught with daily challenges. If you're an artist, you're nodding in agreement right now. While every artist's path is distinct, shared hurdles inevitably emerge.

I bet you've encountered at least one of these trials. Regardless of the type of art you pursue or where you stand in your career, these struggles are common to all artists. During my creative journey as a digital artist, I've confronted each of these issues firsthand at some point in time. However, I’ve found ways to overcome them, and in this blog post I’m sharing my experiences with you.

I’ve put together a list of the most difficult things about being an artist, along with hands-on advice on how to confront and overcome these challenges.

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Why Is Being An Artist Difficult?

Let's debunk a common myth about artists—the life of an artist is not all rainbows and unicorns.

Definitely, there are things that are stressful about being an artist. Artists universally struggle.

Often, we hold ourselves to exceedingly high standards, casting shadows of doubt on our capabilities. Daily pressures and doubts are constant companions. At times, we feel disheartened, questioning whether we'll ever succeed as artists.

While struggles vary among artists, no one is exempt from challenges. Even those who've reached the pinnacle of success harbor their own set of difficulties. Despite appearances, every artist contends with inner battles—regardless of skill, experience, or acclaim.

The sources of artists' struggles are diverse: financial woes, creative blockages, and self-doubt plague many. The following list compiles common hurdles that I've faced in my journey and know fellow artists grapple with, too.

So, here we go. I'm here to share my best guidance to help you overcome your artist struggles. Let’s get into it!

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The 7 Most Difficult Things About Being An Artist & Their Solutions?

1. Battling Inadequacy Concerns

Welcome to the club! Every artist's inner critic whispers doubts about their work.

"This isn't good. It's bad art. You lack talent. Your skills fall short."

Sound familiar? You're not alone. At times, our inner art perfectionist runs amok.

Self-critique is vital, but when it stifles creativity, it's time to silence it. Don't be overly harsh. Perfection isn't the goal—no one's work is flawless. Every creative journey evolves perpetually; improvement is the key.

Remember, art isn't "good" or "bad," but a continuum where artists mature at varying paces.

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2. Wrestling with Impostor Syndrome

Feeling like an imposter is a common ailment among artists and creators alike. It's that sense your success is unwarranted luck, not the result of hard work and dedication.

Research shows up to 70% of people experience impostor feelings. This contributes to our reluctance to embrace the title "artist."

The art world is rife with definitions of what makes a real artist. Some say it's the years of practice you have accumulated, your gallery exhibitions, or your art degree. But none of these define an artist. Fact is, if you make art, you are an artist.?

Claim your artist status; don't let external definitions deter you.

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3. Practicing Unhealthy Comparison

Regardless of your skill, someone will always be better. Thousands of artists inhabit this world; comparison is futile.

Others artists might be better than you. But at the same time, there will also be artists who admire your work. Everyone's creative journey is unique—learn from fellow artists, but focus on developing your own unique art style.?

If a technique captivates you, learn and evolve. But don't let comparisons stifle your work.

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4. Losing Creative Confidence

Building creative confidence is very important for artists. Art's not consistently a joy ride; stress seeps in.

To outsiders, art seems effortless, but it can be a stressful endeavor—especially for perfectionists.

Overcoming perfectionism isn’t easy. But if you learn to embrace your creative mistakes and learn from them, you make your artist life a lot easier! Don’t obsess too much over the outcome of a particular piece. Practice make perfect. So, instead of aiming to create a few perfect pieces, give yourself the opportunity to improve your skills by creating a lot of art—even if it’s not all good. In fact, you should also make bad art, here’s why.

5. Struggling with Money Worries

Financial struggles are real, but there are true-and-tried techniques to make money selling art. The "starving artist" is still one of the myths about artists that still linger in the heads of many people.

But it’s undeniable that plenty of artists make a good living selling their art through their?own artist website and other avenues, such as Etsy.

Related: [TOP 25] Best Selling Digital Art on Etsy In 2024

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6. Suffering Inspiration Droughts

Finding inspiration to create art consistently is probably the most difficult thing about being an artist. All artists hit creative roadblocks from time to time—that’s totally normal. Not knowing what to create next is not cool, especially if art is your career, but there are ways to break out of a creative rut.

Some of the things you can do to rekindle your creativity include visiting art galleries, attending concerts, joining art sharing sites, seeking inspiration on the web—or simply going out into nature.

Nature always inspires me the most and it was also my main inspiration to create this series of lip art:

?7. Overcoming Obscurity

Marketing your art can be daunting, for everyone. But it can be the most difficult thing about being an artist for introverts.

Don't be disheartened; even famous artists started small. If you don’t know how to get started, here are 12 sure-fire ways to get your artwork seen.

Creating exposure for your art takes time, but persistence pays off. So don’t give up!

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In conclusion, there are things that make an artist’s life difficult. All artists struggle. It’s normal. Never let your artistic struggles deter you from your passion, confront them, and pursue your artistic passion unapologetically. Let me know about the most difficult thing about your being an artist.

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments—I'm eager to hear from you!

Check out my website at GinAngieLa.com for more valuable insights and content. ?

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