Instagram has become such an incredibly helpful tool for many artists growing their audience. It’s a platform that allows strangers across the globe to see the artwork that’s being made, the process, the behind the scenes, etc. It can be an avenue to sales, exchange of goods and information, and even viral news (some rare cases).
In the ceramics world, I personally see people being able to sell out of their products—$80 mugs—in a matter of minutes instead of having to spend a hot day tending to a craft fair booth, where people may scoff at the prices of well crafted, well conceived and beautiful work. It’s a free platform to exhibit your work, with no gallery fees and no heavy installation work. It’s instantaneous, and work can be found all over the world. I don’t know what will come after Instagram, but I have a strong feeling it is here to stay for a long while. Instagram is owned by Facebook, but has certainly taken over popularity among younger crowds. Instagram is the perfect visual app for people to display and look at art, Facebook is more writing and sharing articles or news. I really think Instagram is here to stay.
As for young artists, I have some advice I wish someone could have given me growing up:
Try everything. You may think something is your passion, if it’s the only thing you’ve ever tried. You need to dip your toes into every type of art you can. This will broaden your skills, your awareness, and help you narrow down what area of art you want to focus in. You may have grown up only drawing and painting, but may be amazing at sculpting.
Don’t be afraid to fail, because you are not perfect. The only way to learn, is to constantly make mistakes. If you go through your art career making mediocre work that is okay or done well enough, you won’t be able to learn from sailing. You have to fall off the boat and do something atrocious to really learn the ins and outs of an art medium.
Manage your time well. As much as you want to watch a new tv show or listen to the latest album of someone famous, get your work done first. If you’re serious about art, make it a top priority. Putting your work on the back burner will always shows in the end.
Become a sponge—Learn and absorb everything you can, and don’t be afraid to ask a million questions. You may seem like a teacher’s pet or something, but ask them a lot of questions if you genuinely want answers. You can also learn an incredible amount from peers, family and friends, not just your professors.
Learn to critique- first be objective, then subjective. Don’t say something makes you feel happy. What objective elements of art and design are working together to evoke this subjective feeling? And don’t be a bully, it doesn’t help the artist or the work.
Remember, there will always be hard parts no matter how talented you think you are. Don’t be afraid to lean on your support group, that’s what they are there for.
Trust your gut.
Don’t let anyone make you make art that isn’t true to you. Don’t let professors peer pressure you, it doesn’t produce quality work.
Detail from my Senior Exhibition, Beyond the Reeds