First of all, recognize the fact that you ARE an artist.
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Don’t be humble
![Saigon, 2016](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cindy-selfie-kiss-1.jpeg?resize=1668%2C1105)
I think the notion of being ‘humble’ is probably the most anti-artist sentiment.
Why? If you are ‘humble’, it prevents yourself from asserting yourself, it prevents you from putting yourself out there, and it is self-negating (by being humble, we don’t give ourselves permission to proclaim our exceptionality!)
Don’t worry about whether you’re making a living from your art or not
![Kyoto, 2016 #cindyproject](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cindy-portrait-kyoto-1-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325)
How do others try to make us smaller? How do others kill our self-confidence?
Many ways:
- They only think your art is legitimate if you earn a living from it.
- If you do make a living from your art, they will then try to determine HOW RICH you are from your artwork. If you’re only making a basic “living” from your artwork, they’re not going to think you’re legitimate.
- If somehow you’re making a lot of money from your artwork, then they will think that you’re somehow “cheating” or gaining success from illegitimate means.
Ultimately, no matter how smart, rich, successful you are — you will NEVER be able to have everyone legitimize yourself as an artist.
The solution is simple:
Just proclaim: “I am an artist”, without needing anyone else to approve you. Just approve yourself.
What does “self-confidence” even mean in art?
![#cindyproject](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/moving-pictures-gif-photography-.gif?resize=640%2C377)
When we think of “self-confidence“, what do we really mean to say?
I define self-confidence as self-faith. To have faith in yourself, your artwork, and to AVOID getting discouraged by others!
Or more simply put:
Self-confidence is having courage in “putting yourself out there”, courage in promoting yourself (self-promotion), and courage in making artwork which PLEASES YOU– even though there is a risk that others won’t like it!
Risk-taking and courage is what makes a great artist.
What does risk-taking and courage mean as an artist?
![Marseille, 2014](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/marseille-man-beach-1-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327)
Risk-taking and courage can mean many things. Some ideas:
- Have the courage to make certain artworks which might offend or piss off other people.
- Have the courage to attempt a new aesthetic or style, something that hasn’t been attempted or done before.
- Disdaining praise from anyone else (in-fact, we should become suspicious when others start to praise us– it might actually be a bad sign that you’re being too generic).
- Not losing heart in your artwork: To not become discouraged– to keep making your artwork, without losing the vigor, energy, and power to create your artwork.
- Have the courage to share or publish works that YOU believe in, even though you’re fearful that others will hate it.
Live more risky everyday
![Marseille, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/marseille-street-photography-1-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325)
To become more courageous is a skill you practice.
To become more courageous, you NEED more risks, MORE DANGER, and you need to put yourself into more difficult situations.
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/abstract-lisbon-person-014-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325)
Some tips:
- Make more risky jokes when talking with strangers– see how far you can push it.
- When you have the option of doing something in your day which is safe and risky– choose the risky option.
- Ask yourself, “When do I feel the most alive?” Generally it is when we are doing difficult and challenging things, when we are in dangerous situations.
Conclusion
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/black-and-white-beads-lisbon-047-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325)
Life is short. Better to take risks and die epic, than to die small and dormant.
GO BIG.
ERIC
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