You ask, "What was life like before everyone had to start posting on social media on top of all the other work?" Such an interesting question. I'm old enough (at 71) to look back into the mists of a pre-digital time, before computers let alone social media. I was at art college in the 1970s when everything was drawn on paper, cameras used rolls of film, and a telephone was a thing attached to a wall. And you want to know what it was like....
I supported myself through some sort of visual art practice throughout my life though not as an illustrator, and I did plenty of other jobs in-between and at the same time, some of them part of marketing my work and some of them just to get by. But it felt like a very different world. Above all, I think, the difference was that it was quiet. I don't mean it was a less noisy world, I mean it was quieter in my head, and there were plenty of times in the day when I would just live quietly in my mind, thinking and imagining and daydreaming. And I do think this is a terrible loss, because nowadays it's hard to do anything creative without thinking about whether or not it's something that I could or should be posting on Instagram or whatever. Which is so performative. There are so many reasons why this is a terrible way to be!
If you can avoid falling into that habit, my advice is, do. And I'm so glad you're asking such good questions!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful words. It’s so nice to hear a different perspective on this and also in a strange way reassuring to hear that it’s not just all in my head. It sounds nice with the quiet. But I think that’s something I (and people in my generation) can learn to do, even if we may have to put in more effort to feel that way. I really try to not make art for an algorithm or a trend, and it’s nice to feel that others are interested in that work and the thoughts around it. All the best to you!
This was such a refreshing read and I can totally relate with the pain of having to become a content creation maestro on top of being creative! I've realised that I need a calm, quiet mind more than I need to make a living from my art. I'm fortunate to have a job in a non-creative career that I also enjoy so that helps tremendously. I work part time and focus on my creative practice on my off days. I hope you find a happy balance - wishing you all the best!
Thank you so much! Yeah, I think there’s definitely something to it, not having to make a living off of art. It’s good to hear that you’ve found something that works for you and lets you have the peace of mind to create without pressure! All the best to you!
Hi Lyly, I'm so glad my thoughts about this topic resonated with you! I agree, it's so exhausting, the expectation to have to put yourself out there online when what you really want to spend your energy on is making art. I hope you get to spend a lot of time with your art, even though you have the librarian job, too! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!:)
You ask, "What was life like before everyone had to start posting on social media on top of all the other work?" Such an interesting question. I'm old enough (at 71) to look back into the mists of a pre-digital time, before computers let alone social media. I was at art college in the 1970s when everything was drawn on paper, cameras used rolls of film, and a telephone was a thing attached to a wall. And you want to know what it was like....
I supported myself through some sort of visual art practice throughout my life though not as an illustrator, and I did plenty of other jobs in-between and at the same time, some of them part of marketing my work and some of them just to get by. But it felt like a very different world. Above all, I think, the difference was that it was quiet. I don't mean it was a less noisy world, I mean it was quieter in my head, and there were plenty of times in the day when I would just live quietly in my mind, thinking and imagining and daydreaming. And I do think this is a terrible loss, because nowadays it's hard to do anything creative without thinking about whether or not it's something that I could or should be posting on Instagram or whatever. Which is so performative. There are so many reasons why this is a terrible way to be!
If you can avoid falling into that habit, my advice is, do. And I'm so glad you're asking such good questions!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful words. It’s so nice to hear a different perspective on this and also in a strange way reassuring to hear that it’s not just all in my head. It sounds nice with the quiet. But I think that’s something I (and people in my generation) can learn to do, even if we may have to put in more effort to feel that way. I really try to not make art for an algorithm or a trend, and it’s nice to feel that others are interested in that work and the thoughts around it. All the best to you!
I was writing such a long comment on this article, that I ended up turning into a piece of my own! Thank you for the inspiration.
https://tashagoddard.substack.com/p/do-we-have-to-make-art-that-sells
This was such a refreshing read and I can totally relate with the pain of having to become a content creation maestro on top of being creative! I've realised that I need a calm, quiet mind more than I need to make a living from my art. I'm fortunate to have a job in a non-creative career that I also enjoy so that helps tremendously. I work part time and focus on my creative practice on my off days. I hope you find a happy balance - wishing you all the best!
Thank you so much! Yeah, I think there’s definitely something to it, not having to make a living off of art. It’s good to hear that you’ve found something that works for you and lets you have the peace of mind to create without pressure! All the best to you!
Loved your column, it was super interesting and informative. Also really enjoyed watching your YouTube video. I could almost feel your frustration.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it:)
Hi Lyly, I'm so glad my thoughts about this topic resonated with you! I agree, it's so exhausting, the expectation to have to put yourself out there online when what you really want to spend your energy on is making art. I hope you get to spend a lot of time with your art, even though you have the librarian job, too! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!:)