{"id":125694,"date":"2019-01-17T17:43:26","date_gmt":"2019-01-18T01:43:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=125694"},"modified":"2019-01-17T17:43:28","modified_gmt":"2019-01-18T01:43:28","slug":"how-to-become-a-more-self-confident-artist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2019\/01\/17\/how-to-become-a-more-self-confident-artist\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a More Self-Confident Artist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

First of all, recognize the fact that you ARE an artist<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Fulfill your personal maximum at ERIC KIM WORKSHOP ><\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t be humble<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Saigon,
Saigon, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I think the notion of being ‘humble’ is probably the most anti-artist sentiment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why? If you are ‘humble’, it prevents yourself from asserting<\/a> 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!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t worry about whether you’re making a living from your art or not<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Kyoto,
Kyoto, 2016 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How do others try to make us smaller? How do others kill our self-confidence?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. They only think your art is legitimate if you earn a living from it.<\/li>
  2. 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.<\/li>
  3. 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.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Ultimately, no matter how smart, rich, successful you are — you will NEVER be able to have everyone legitimize yourself as an artist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The solution is simple:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Just proclaim: “I am an artist”, without needing anyone else to approve you. Just approve yourself.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n

    What does “self-confidence” even mean in art?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"#cindyproject\"
    #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    When we think of “self-confidence<\/a>“, what do we really mean to say?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I define self-confidence as self-faith. To have faith in yourself, your artwork, and to AVOID getting discouraged by others! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Or more simply put:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Self-confidence is having courage in “putting yourself out there”, courage in promoting yourself (self-promotion<\/a>), and courage in making artwork which PLEASES YOU– even though there is a risk that others won’t like it!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    Risk-taking<\/a> and courage<\/a> is what makes a great artist.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n

    What does risk-taking and courage mean as an artist?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"Marseille,
    Marseille, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Risk-taking and courage can mean many things. Some ideas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Have the courage to make certain artworks which might offend or piss off other people.<\/li>
    2. Have the courage to attempt a new aesthetic<\/a> or style<\/a>, something that hasn’t been attempted or done before. <\/li>
    3. Disdaining praise from anyone else <\/strong>(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).<\/li>
    4. Not losing heart in your artwork<\/strong>: To not become discouraged– to keep making your artwork, without losing the vigor, energy, and power to create your artwork.<\/li>
    5. Have the courage to share or publish works that YOU believe in, even though you’re fearful that others will hate it.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \n\n\n\n

      Live more risky everyday<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \"Marseille,
      Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      To become more courageous is a skill you practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      To become more courageous, you NEED more risks, MORE DANGER, and you need to put yourself into more difficult situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Some tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. Make more risky jokes when talking with strangers– see how far you can push it.<\/li>
      2. When you have the option of doing something in your day which is safe and risky– choose the risky option.<\/li>
      3. 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.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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        Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Life is short. Better to take risks and die epic, than to die small and dormant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        GO BIG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        ERIC<\/p>\n\n\n