Discouragement, the reason they don't paint any more.

Over all the years I have been in this business I have seen many Artists come and go. All start out with wonderful enthusiasm and big dreams to hit the heights of the Art World and sadly a few years later they don't paint any more. I am sure you all know someone like this, disappointment and discouragement slowly wears them down until they give up and stop painting. I had a friend who did wonderful paintings of military machines, beautiful paintings and nice landscapes. He sold a few to family and friends, had a one man show but today years later, he does not paint and all the paintings are stored in a shed.

A woman I knew painted wonderful happy paintings that radiated joy, she sold a few had some shows, paid for publicity and now years later she does not paint any more and her paintings are stored away.

What happened?

Its what I call “ The struggle.”

This battle is not fought at the end of the brush but in the mind of the Artist and if you cannot win this battle then you will not be painting in the years to come. I better clarify that, you will not be painting and trying to sell your work but you may still be painting for your own joy, which as I always say is the best way to be.

I understand if you want to sell your work, because that will give you validation for pushing onto your goals.

Defeating discouragement.

+ Do not believe you will make it in the Art Business because family and friends say you are a wonderful talented painter.

If you do not believe it within yourself, take the prices off your paintings.

Self belief is the key to lasting a long time in this business, because rejection is a big part of the Art Business.

+ You need a loving caring support group around you, so when times are dark you have caring and encouraging people beside you. This is very important, we all need to be loved.

Do not be romantic about the term Artist or the Art Business, let your buyers and family and friends be romantic about who you are. You are in business and you need to treat it as such.

+ Always be working on your self talk.

When ever you get negative or critical, stop yourself, change your self talk.

It is hard work but you can do it.

Listen to what you say about your self and stop all negative self talk, this is so important.

If you defeat yourself, no one can change that, you must change if you want to change your world.

Be gentle on yourself and reward your self for small victories over negative self talk.

Most discouragement starts in your own self talk not others, they just confirm what you are already saying to yourself, so fix it.

Easy to say yes, but it can be done.

For me lack of self belief and negative self talk are two big reasons why people fail in this Business, they defeat themselves.

Believe in your self and tell yourself that and stop the negative self talk.

It is an on going battle and seems to rise its head again just when you think you have defeated it, work on this, it is so important, “ As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”

This is not for everyone but it works for me, faith, when times get hard and it will, its good when all seems lost to have a higher being to talk to, prayer works.

So build on your self belief.

Get rid of negative self talk.

Cling onto those who love you and go out and change the Art World forever.

Remember Picasso and all the greats were once unknown and faced all the road blocks you do, but they persevered and did not let discouragement deter them.

Go forward my friends and change the Art world and win the struggle.