On Wednesday, I wrote about the influence of social media on art. That leads to an inevitable question: how do we find and maintain our authentic artistic voices while navigating a world driven by visibility, algorithms, and market pressures?
Artists have always struggled to find a balance between creative freedom and commerce. That’s especially true for those artists with unique viewpoints. Vincent van Gogh is a prime example of an artist who couldn’t sell his work but profoundly influenced art history. There are others who’ve waited lifetimes to be recognized, but who stayed true to their inner vision.
Then there’s the question of purpose, which I addressed here. Whether you think your art should sooth, heal, provoke or simply entertain, understanding why you make art helps you in finding your artistic voice.
The arts and craftsmanship
Craftsmanship is so contrary to our digital culture that it can be a form of resistance. Finding your artistic voice may be as simple as slowing down and focusing on technique and observation. That’s especially important as we see AI eking out more territory in the visual world. What AI can’t do, right now, is copy the individuality of human creations, that gap between our inner vision and what comes off our paintbrushes.
Lean into your own story
I’ve been working on narrative painting for the last six months. Even though that’s not what’s easy for me to sell, I still think it’s the right move for me. In the age of mass-produced, digital artwork, the personal trumps the analgesic quality of much mainstream art. What we know and live is grounded, honest, and impossible for computers or copyists to imitate.
Be selective in using social media
I’ve spent several months trying to embrace Bluesky, despite thinking that my blue-haired church lady self isn’t a great fit there. Now Bluesky is flatlining. I can hustle to try to find the next new thing, but that’s like a dog chasing its tail. Yes, we should embrace social media platforms, but not to the point where they take over our lives.
My goal is to accept the social media game but on my own terms. Doing that successfully is a constant battle, both against my own lack of engagement and the inscrutability of what’s trending.
Experiment
I have a student who has been experimenting with combining watercolor with gouache. You might think that sounds simple, but it requires planning to merge passages of opacity and transparency in the same work. I’ve been delighted by her finished work. Breaking from what she knew seemed to help her sidestep the compositional and brushwork habits she’d learned in watercolor. To some degree, the medium is the message, as Marshall McLuhan famously said.
Reserve your spot now for a workshop in 2025:
- Advanced Plein Air Painting, Rockport, ME, July 7-11, 2025.
- Sea and Sky at Acadia National Park, August 3-8, 2025.
- Find Your Authentic Voice in Plein Air, Berkshires, MA, August 11-15, 2025.
- Immersive In-Person Fall Workshop, Rockport, ME, October 6-10, 2025.