How to get people to start taking your art seriously

I think all creative people have dealt with questions like "that's a hobby, right?" or "you actually charge money for your drawings?!?" or even worse, "Hey, since you are musical, could you play a concert for our group this Saturday (for free?)"

And your artist soul wants to shout, "I AM AN ARTIST/WRITER/ACTOR/MUSICIAN! IT'S NOT A HOBBY, IT'S MY LIFE!"

During college, I never had encountered this problem. Everyone knew me as an artist (or at least art student.) I sold my work regularly. I got commissions regularly. No one asked if art was my "hobby" or winced when I told them the price for a painting. I KNEW I was an artist without a doubt in my mind, since... well, that's what I was. It said it on my degree plan. But after graduation, I dealt with all the normal hassles of living in the real world... mortgage payments, bills, insurance payments, balancing the budget, cooking for my husband, cleaning the house, and most of all, a non-art related part-time job. I hardly ever had time to create paintings.

So when people asked "So what do you do?" I would timidly answer, "I'm a receptionist. But trying to become an artist." I thought I was just being truthful and honest. But you know what they heard? They heard "I'm a receptionist. But sometimes I do doodles when I'm bored."

One fine day, (or actually probably when I was in the shower thinking deeply about life) I realized it. The reason that no one believed I was an artist was because I DIDN'T BELIEVE IT MYSELF ANYMORE! I confused the amount of time I was able to spend on my passion with the passion itself.

I resolved right then to change my outlook. I stopped telling people I was a receptionist trying to become an artist. I simply told people that I was an artist. And I started believing it again from the depths of my soul, like I did during college.

And you know what? Slowly everyone around me started believing it too. They treated me like an artist, not a hobbyist. I started getting offers to show at galleries, and many people became excited to talk to me about my work. I joined many art-related websites and got inspired connecting with other artists! My part-time work even graciously agreed to let me use an unused corner of the office as my studio space. All that because I changed my own attitude and started acting like what I was!

Of course, I still have a long way to go before I achieve everything I want to achieve. But at least now I'm on the right road to do so. So for all my artists who feel stuck in oblivion... try changing your own mind. About yourself, about your work, about your worth, about anything you need. Believe you are what you want others to believe you are. Just start living that way, and everything else will start falling to place. I hope this helps you!

<3 JUURI

Sweet Melissa Haslam's work

Ah! I am getting inspired out of my mind whilst being snowed into my own house. My lastest fave is Melissa Haslam!



(Actually, I've known about her for a long time. But her new-looking website caught my attention. It's beautiful! L@@k.) I love her use of the media: realistic yet retaining that illustration style that so captivates my heart. Check her out yo!

Themes for new work -Girl in the quiet, dark, lush forest-

I have a solo show coming up in May... which means that I'd like to have at least 15 new pieces to show. This means that I have to make roughly one painting per week! Ah! With all the other things I have to do in my life (I am not able to do my art full-time yet,) this will be a TASK. However I'll get it done somehow.

I've been thinking a lot about what theme I'd like to purse for the new works. I've decided to revert to a scene (or idea) that I've had in my heart for years... it's like a dream (I indeed have dreamed about it,) or a fantastical setting, or maybe my heart just longs to be in a place like this. It's a quiet, dark forest... not dark in a threatening way, but in a comforting, safe, and cozy way. There is soft moss to walk on, and a mysterious trickling brook. The sky is almost entirely blocked out by thick foliage, but there are shafts of pure sunlight streaking through in some places. There may in places be ruins of ancient buildings (also covered by soft moss) and a few animals walking by here and there. The air is still, yet echo-y, neither hot nor cold, and you can hear a faint twitter of exotic birds.

That's my dream and fantasy that's in the deep part of my soul. I'm not sure why, or how long it's been there, but so it is. So of course for my work, I'll try to capture the feel of this elusive setting in conjunction with my beautiful girls.

Here are some images that inspire me.

IAM OKC Small Works Charity Auction on Sunday!

OK everyone, I just got back from helping to shoot a film in Tokyo on a super grueling schedule! So I still have jetlag and have a billion things to say but... I'll have to work on that later. I just want to remind everyone that there is still time to buy tickets for the IAM OKC Small Works Charity Auction on Sunday. There will be food, wine, music... and of course art by local artists. I have three pieces in the auction FYI. Here is a pic of my pieces to remind you. Go here to get more info or just ask me.

Tom Bagshaw's works

Look at Tom Bagshaw's enchanting works! Some of them are creepy, some bizarre, some beautiful... they are so well-done! So surreal! Check it: Tom Bagshaw's site --->

Charming Charmaine Olivia

Kyahhh! I just heart her work! Some of it looks a little off-kilter or wonky, but I find it charming. Her drawing, lines, colors, website, everything is super cute! Love it <3



Get inspired by the cuteness --->