The Friends You Need For Making Art
I wrote this blog post midway through summer. I think it still relates, and seeing how the main theme surrounding Orange Unicorn is friendship, I thought I’d share this one.
It can be your mom. It can be your kid. It can be the close friend that you’ve only met two years ago and that you lived with in their basement for two weeks. Whoever it is, you need people to push you to be productive. People that push you to make art.
I have had many different people encourage me as well as push me to make art. I cannot emphasize enough how important they have been to my success. I’ve identified three types of people you should try and have in your life to help move your art forward.
“The Strategizer”
This was my mom. She has always been good at mapping out my dreams in accomplishable ways. She had an ability to bring to the present whatever was hidden in the future. What did I have to go through to get where I wanted? What could I do today that would be one step closer to where I want to be? What is working, what isn’t?
“The Motivator and the Muse”
I’ve always had someone in my life that I wanted to make art for. It’s that one person that I want to show whatever I’ve been doing and see the sparkles in their eyes, the hidden smile on their lips. This type of person is a great source of motivation and inspiration. Wanting to make them happy can be a healthy way of pushing yourself to do art. Although be sure to also listen to yourself, and not only the motivators. They’ll encourage you again and again to get going. These have usually been my close friends.
“The Mentor”
This might be one of the hardest to find. They have a similar purpose to the Strategizer, but different. This is the one who sees the whole battle field, they’re by your side in the trenches. They’re there with you, teaching and instructing you. New tricks, advice and insights. Like the Motivator they are also constantly pushing you to keep going. I have usually found a Mentor in my art teachers, but also in youtubers, and podcasts like Chris Oatley’s. Online classes have also been an area that I found this even if momentarily, like through CGMA classes.
I sincerely believe that making conscious decisions in pursuit of these types of people can be helpful in your journey as an artist. In a Mentor you might find a Motivator or a Strategizer. Or maybe your Stratetigizer is also your Motivator.
But I think identifying people that help you in different areas is helpful to you. Invest in those relationships. And honestly, at times you’ll have to jump in for that position, you will have to become your own Strategizer, Motivator or even your own Mentor.
So when you see yourself lacking in one of those relationships, seek one out, or build it within yourself. Read a book, listen to a podcast. Make it happen.
#Makeart #mentors #makingart #selfcare #mentorshipinart #friendshipcomic #friendshipismagic #Motivation #growingasanartist #creativity #staycreative #keepongoing #podcastrecommendations #Keeponcreating #findingyourmentor #chrisoatleyacademy