I feel like one of the hardest parts of being any type of artist is retaining ones hope in getting noticed. Yes, I know many are going to rush to the comments to say that isn’t the point of making art. Maybe for them, but there is still a big faction who would like some type of recognition. It could be money, compliments, awards, a clap, or even a social media like. Most artists want some type of positive energy in order for them to feel like they are not wasting their time.
This makes sense to me, especially since this can be subconscious. An artist puts part of themselves into their creations. They work hard and use their free time to continue with what is typically a side project. Toiling for years without getting any positive feedback can crush the spirit. It can reach the point where they either quit or produce art with no soul because they are questioning themselves. Not entirely about talent, but about ones priorities.
Hope can be destroyed in an artist pretty easily too. Many think they are helping by taking on the role of ‘creative critic’. That’s in quotes because a person is really just tearing a piece of art apart with no positive feedback. I remember asking a person why they only mentioned the negative they felt towards my stories. They said it was because I could only improve if I knew what I was doing wrong. Figured I would already know the positives, but that isn’t what happened. Young artists especially end up doubting their entire purpose and dream.
People really do overlook the necessity of hope when it comes to building art. I think it’s more so today with social media allowing more criticism, A.I. being used more, and a sense that the audience pool has shrunk. With that last one, I mean there’s a sense that there are fewer people enjoying art outside of the mainstream. Those who can create the biggest social media presence will win the most attention even if they’re product isn’t as good as someone who can’t promote themselves. Kind of makes one wonder how many talented artists have been lost because they simply aren’t good at promoting themselves.
Another threat to hope is that there are many who set out to get others to quit. It’s different from the ‘creative critic’ who believes they are helping. These are people on the Internet whose goal is to hurt others. I’m pretty they’re still called Trolls, but this always feels worse than merely getting someone angry. Getting an artist to quit or at least leave the Internet is what they want. Trigger a fight that embarrasses the artist who comes off as unhinged and unable to take criticism. Not sure what drives a person to do something like this, but the shield of anonymity keeps them safe.
This is why giving an artist hope is so essential. Again, it doesn’t have to be money. It can be anything that makes them feel noticed in a good way. While this might not help them get sales or attention from others, it provides a boost of positive energy and confidence. It helps one avoid creating empty art born from them going through the motions solely because it’s ‘what they do’. I know I’ve had moments like that and have to toss entire chapter sections to try again later.
What do other people think about artists having hope?
Legends of Windemere 
Hope is what I feel when I come to the end of my writing for the day. Did my little gray cells perform. Mostly, yes, but then there’s the hope of the next day!
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I’m usually too tired after writing to have much hope or any thoughts besides wanting to lie down.
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I completely agree with this statement: Most artists want some type of positive energy in order for them to feel like they are not wasting their time. Creative people, by nature, are sensitive souls and should be handled with care. Feedback is necessary, but we need both the good and the bad. I know many creative folks who have stopped their project because of some negative feedback. A little bit of hope goes a long way!
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It does go a long way!
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If only more people paid attention to the handle with care concept. It really is believed that artists need to take abuse to thicken our skins. Just causes scars and emotional distance from people instead of projects.
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Hope is one of the foundations of all endeavors, including inventing. Even the Wright Brothers needed the hope that their airplane could get off the ground. I can’t think of any artist who doesn’t want someone to engage with his or her art in a positive way. If someone only criticizes, that’s not really engagement. That’s discouragement. It’s like an advisor once told our workshop group: “If feedback doesn’t get you excited about returning to what you’ve written, ignore it.”
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That’s great advice. Hard to put into action, but definitely worth remembering.
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I’d argue that all art is created (including all forms, writing, music, film, paintings, stained-glass windows) to be discovered and enjoyed.
Probably one of the toughest things these days is that our discoverability is balanced between constantly changing algorithms that are honed to pushing already popular content further up the ladder while not yet discovered content starts near the bottom; and readers whose eyes are so tired of reading, as we read practically all the time as part of our jobs and daily lives, that not much capacity remains to go scouting for more.
I like what you’ve done with Teaser Tuesday. Nice idea!
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The algorithm is a killer. Doesn’t help that so many readers stay within the series or author of their choice without trying anything new. I’ve met more people who only read one author than those who will explore whole genres.
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Yep, and that is tragic… what’s more is that I know a lot more young people writing fanfic and reading mostly fanfic than young people writing original stuff and looking for original new authors to read
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Didn’t know about the fanfic stuff. That’s an odd trend.
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Yes I thought so too. Very strange. I guess it’s the comfort zone of staying within a world that already exists extensively, with characters that already have been developed (by the author!), and getting “more” out of it, either for free as reader, or as fanfic author. I guess it’s the writing version of “cover songs”, but while in the music industry that is well regulated and songwriters get royalties when performers perform their songs publicly, the same does not apply in fanfic as everything is for free….
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Do they make money off the fanfic?
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I think hope is a must for an artist. One hopes that whatever the media, the artist can reach someone and get a reaction that is positive.
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So true.
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😊
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You’re seeing many of the things I’m seeing. We are trained for quick dopamine hits by an algorithm we don’t understand. Many of our future readers are lost to TikTok, Instagram, and others. Still, I keep going just to keep my mind invigorated.
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Think the pendulum will ever swing back?
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My crystal ball is cloudy.
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I’ve been involved with critique groups, both in standard SF conventions and with SCBWI (the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). A major difference between SCBWI and other critique groups is the emphasis on being encouraging and lifting new talent up. I’m not in SCBWI any more (nothing they did, my career goals changed) but I still keep that philosophy of encouragement to fellow writers and artists.
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So, do the standard groups typically go negative?
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Very often the critiques are unduly harsh. There seems to be a belief that new authors have to be told how difficult and competitive the industry is, and that they don’t have a chance of succeeding. This undercuts their faith in themselves and discourages them from continuing to write, grow and learn.
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I ran into that a lot. Always told it’s to thicken my skin for the future.
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Those critiquers never seem to consider that the industry doesn’t have to be that way. Trying to discourage new writers is a choice — and not the best one they could make.
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I feel like the industry does discourage new authors a lot these days. At the very least, they don’t encourage new faces.
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