When I was in my early 20s I made the boldest decision an early 20-something could have made. I started an art business. There were a lot of uncertainties I had and tremendous self-doubt. I lacked business experience and even art experience. At the time I was teaching myself how to do certain crafts and watercolor. This period of my life was also extremely lonely. The pandemic was happening and my sense of community was lacking. However, I made it through and began thriving as an artist when I moved to Washington. With age and wisdom I discovered more of myself and truly embodied this artist identity. Being an artist never got easier, I just learned more. I embraced challenges with a growth mentality and didn't let it stop me from creating. Once you start training your mind to perceive the world and challenges in a different way, you can truly be invincible.
I'm celebrating 28 years around the sun so here are 28 lessons I've learned and advice to my younger artist self starting out in my early 20s:
1) There will be a lot of noise coming from the world telling you to do this or that but try to tune most of them out and listen to your inner voice of what's best for you.
2) Just because it works for someone else doesn't mean it'll work for you.
3) Be ok with letting go of previous versions of yourself and embrace your current version. Celebrate your past because it led you to your present but don't dwell on it too much.
4) Creativity is your superpower. Nourish it and water it daily but give yourself grace when it's a slower season.
5) Comparison is the thief of joy. There are a lot of successful artists out there who will inspire you but don't compare yourself too harshly because everyone is on a different journey.
6) Slow growth is STILL growth!
7) Celebrate every win no matter how small it is. Trust me it matters.
8) Artist block will eventually happen. Be ok with it and embrace it as part of the artist journey.
9) Not everyone will like your art. Not everyone will buy your art. That's ok as long as you like your art.
10) Use social media as a tool to share your art and document your growth not as a way to measure your value or worth as an artist.
11) Learn to enjoy the process of creating and not just the end product. This mentality will get you through tough times and self doubt.
12) Flowers don't grow year round. Incorporate rhythms of rest into your creative practice.
13) Don't be afraid to dive into a new art style or try a new medium even if you don't incorporate it into your professional art practice. It's fun to explore and try new things!
14) Take breaks when doing art. Do some stretches or go for a walk and then come back to your art with fresh eyes.
15) Be open to new experiences and opportunities. You'll never know where it takes you.
16) Initiate conversations and reach out first. It's scary to put yourself out there but something beautiful can happen when you plant the first seed.
17) There are days where you'll have a lot of self doubt because you never went to school for art or have business experience. Open yourself up to learning and have a growth mindset around skills you lack.
18) Document your process and journey. Even on days where you don't feel like posting or showing up on social media, just do it! You won't regret it in the future when you look back on your journey.
19) Support other artists and lift them up. Everyone is going through something and it never hurts to encourage someone else.
20) Surround yourself with people who want to celebrate your wins with you.
21) You'll never guess that you're going to have 50+ plants living in your home in the future. It's crazy because when we were in our early 20s we were killing plants left and right. This is a great reminder that we can change as humans and we're never stuck in a personality.
22) Make it a habit to do something creative daily. It doesn't mean finish a whole art piece every day but do something that works your creative muscle. Eventually you'll see the returns in your investment.
23) Embrace imperfections. Bob Ross once said that "mistakes are just happy little accidents".
24) Be who you are. Those who are meant for you will come into your life and those who aren't will find a way out.
25) Trust the process. Every painting goes through a slightly ugly phase before it works itself out.
26) Continue to spread positvity and light around you. You won't see your impact every day but it doesn't mean it isn't there.
27) Your worth as an artist and human transcends the amount of followers you have or the amount of money you make as a business. Your impact doesn't have to be quantitatively defined.
28) Give as much as you take. Learn from others and be a resource to others.
All of this is to say, BELIEVE in yourself. You are on a path most people fear of embarking on but the dreamer in you is not letting that deter you from achieving your wildest dreams. You got this.
Until next time, stay colorful.
Truc-Quan
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