All of it takes a lot time and learning. Good luck ❤️ it too me more than a decade to be in a good spot, with lots of other jobs inbetween. Do what you love. If you are making art just to sell it, I have been told, you are already off on the wrong foot.
Lyly, my friend! Take your time and do whatever feels right for you. There are many ways of doing things, and none are right or wrong. As artists, we can only work our magic if we find a certain balance. In times of overwhelming stress, our creativity can suffer. I truly understand you in so many ways. In recent months, I have felt quite burnt out trying to do too many things. Even when I wasn't doing it, I felt guilty about it because everyone around me was creating and sharing. The most important thing is that we shouldn't deviate from 'creation', and sharing comes second. This is why I moved away from Instagram - I hated that I was already thinking of sharing it even before I had created something. This fast-pacedness is so unhealthy for us. If you ever feel like writing, I will be here waiting for you :) If not, that's also fine. We can check on each other via DM or Viber. I am so grateful that we got to meet in this vast online world :)
as an artist (musician and writer), i want to let you know that I feel your pain, because I have been there so many times. I understand how frustrating it is. Today EVERYone is trying to be an artist, just because we have many opportunities that we didn't have before. But only a few people truly are, and true artists get lost in the ocean of "artists" out there. Also, since the pandemic, I feel that so many people have forgotten how to communicate, so we feel like we're talking into the void. Very little feedback on our worK; subscribers not even opening our newsletters; etc. So how can we grow with no feedback? This is exhausting, so yes, if you need to take a break and walk this path of discovering how best to fulfil your inner calling, then you have to do what your heart wants you to do. I believe this is your inner calling gently shouting that something must change.
Your honesty is something you can be proud of. Thank you for sharing how you feel. 💙
I, personally, will be waiting for you. If you decide to come back, I will feel honoured and I hope to God I can find the time to read more of your newsletters and give more feedback. (I am also burning out right now). If not, I will completely understand and wish you the strength and guidance to find the fulfilment you deserve in your art, because it is an integral part of you and one you will always be longing to express and should be allowed to express.
(your art is sweet and very serene. As a highly sensitive person, when i look at it, it calms me a lot).
Thank you for being real. Keep walking. You will get there 😊
I know I’ve shared this before, and I’m going to share it again. I am always completely inspired by your artwork. I love it for it simplicity. For the calm, stillness it brings. Two things that are so hard to come by these days. I hope you keep making work for you, and for only you. That you can feel completely fulfilled by it and it brings you exactly what you need each day <3 I don’t think anyone holds the magic wand, the solution. It’s just you and art at the end of the day. And there can be so much magic and freedom in that.
Hugs to you, Stevelyn. It takes so much courage to write this post. Thank you for your vulnerability and for your honesty. You are becoming the person you’re meant to be through each step you’ve taken forward. Thats what I’m seeing here. Your paintings are taking shape. Im seeing progress— your voice is slowly emerging. Keep going even when no one is paying attention. There are no solutions I can offer but i can hold a light for you to see a way through even if it’s only a few visible steps.
I hope you keep painting what brings you joy. It doesn’t matter if it sells or not. And it doesn’t matter how much of it you post online or not. Keep on keeping on.
I feel you a lot! Since I started painting seriously in 2020 no magic happen. Nothing. No Gallery want me, no sales, nada. It's a constant battle of why did you even start doing this and keep going because it's embarrassing at this point.
I started a blog in 2021 which took tears and sweat to put up but I did and after a year of effort it paid off...until 2023 came and Google decided he likes reddit and cool guys more than a random painting girl and by this moment I'm writing this, Mr Google practically wiped out all I had replacing me by AI generated bits and pieces. While you're going through things like that the last thing I think of to be honest is painting. But if I don't paint, what do I post?
Oh!
I love all of your works. They make up a perfect little book of nothingness maybe? That all of us can relate, trust me.
The sole fact that there is another struggling artist and its not yet another "I just sold 300 bazillion prints on etsy and here is my course how you can finally be successful too" somehow makes me feel alive and seen.
I'm sorry for a very personal comment, I know it's not about me and I see you too it's just never a place to express what I felt too.
It never fails to make me sad seeing people, especially artists, say these kinds of things.
It’s truly never given, or never certain that what brings us joy can truly “keep us standing” and pay bills. That way, slowly what brought us joy from the start turns bitter, resulting in the exact opposite. I, and I’m sure, many people unfortunately understand.
In moments like this you’re told to “not give up” and “have hope”, “it gets better”, but I know that’s not genuinely encouraging for everyone.
You’re not asking for advice, if you’d take a suggestion; rest. Find the way. You sound exhausted and disappointed, and you’re perfectly right to be so. The creative industry is a harsh world and so many artists in the world struggle, it’s truly sad how many, and common it is. You’re definitely not alone, and figuring out what comes next can certainly be overwhelming, so please rest and relieve some of the pressure you’re putting in yourself and your art. Maybe, just maybe resting might result in a wonderful comeback. It’s not completely out of the question.
I’ve only started reading your content recently and I wish i hadn’t gotten here so late. I wish you better things to come around the corner. I don’t know if you believe in so, but I believe things work out a certain way for a reason; maybe this is one of them.
Don’t give up on such a special spark not everyone gets to have. An artist should never let themselves give up, they’re one of those things that keep our world special.
All of it takes a lot time and learning. Good luck ❤️ it too me more than a decade to be in a good spot, with lots of other jobs inbetween. Do what you love. If you are making art just to sell it, I have been told, you are already off on the wrong foot.
Take a break and then keep going.
Do your art for you. Not for anyone else.
Your art is beautiful, evocative, lonely, resonating, hopeful.
thank you for this piece... i love you.
Lyly, my friend! Take your time and do whatever feels right for you. There are many ways of doing things, and none are right or wrong. As artists, we can only work our magic if we find a certain balance. In times of overwhelming stress, our creativity can suffer. I truly understand you in so many ways. In recent months, I have felt quite burnt out trying to do too many things. Even when I wasn't doing it, I felt guilty about it because everyone around me was creating and sharing. The most important thing is that we shouldn't deviate from 'creation', and sharing comes second. This is why I moved away from Instagram - I hated that I was already thinking of sharing it even before I had created something. This fast-pacedness is so unhealthy for us. If you ever feel like writing, I will be here waiting for you :) If not, that's also fine. We can check on each other via DM or Viber. I am so grateful that we got to meet in this vast online world :)
Dear Lyly,
as an artist (musician and writer), i want to let you know that I feel your pain, because I have been there so many times. I understand how frustrating it is. Today EVERYone is trying to be an artist, just because we have many opportunities that we didn't have before. But only a few people truly are, and true artists get lost in the ocean of "artists" out there. Also, since the pandemic, I feel that so many people have forgotten how to communicate, so we feel like we're talking into the void. Very little feedback on our worK; subscribers not even opening our newsletters; etc. So how can we grow with no feedback? This is exhausting, so yes, if you need to take a break and walk this path of discovering how best to fulfil your inner calling, then you have to do what your heart wants you to do. I believe this is your inner calling gently shouting that something must change.
Your honesty is something you can be proud of. Thank you for sharing how you feel. 💙
I, personally, will be waiting for you. If you decide to come back, I will feel honoured and I hope to God I can find the time to read more of your newsletters and give more feedback. (I am also burning out right now). If not, I will completely understand and wish you the strength and guidance to find the fulfilment you deserve in your art, because it is an integral part of you and one you will always be longing to express and should be allowed to express.
(your art is sweet and very serene. As a highly sensitive person, when i look at it, it calms me a lot).
Thank you for being real. Keep walking. You will get there 😊
Sending love.
I know I’ve shared this before, and I’m going to share it again. I am always completely inspired by your artwork. I love it for it simplicity. For the calm, stillness it brings. Two things that are so hard to come by these days. I hope you keep making work for you, and for only you. That you can feel completely fulfilled by it and it brings you exactly what you need each day <3 I don’t think anyone holds the magic wand, the solution. It’s just you and art at the end of the day. And there can be so much magic and freedom in that.
Hugs to you, Stevelyn. It takes so much courage to write this post. Thank you for your vulnerability and for your honesty. You are becoming the person you’re meant to be through each step you’ve taken forward. Thats what I’m seeing here. Your paintings are taking shape. Im seeing progress— your voice is slowly emerging. Keep going even when no one is paying attention. There are no solutions I can offer but i can hold a light for you to see a way through even if it’s only a few visible steps.
I hope you keep painting what brings you joy. It doesn’t matter if it sells or not. And it doesn’t matter how much of it you post online or not. Keep on keeping on.
❤️
I feel you a lot! Since I started painting seriously in 2020 no magic happen. Nothing. No Gallery want me, no sales, nada. It's a constant battle of why did you even start doing this and keep going because it's embarrassing at this point.
I started a blog in 2021 which took tears and sweat to put up but I did and after a year of effort it paid off...until 2023 came and Google decided he likes reddit and cool guys more than a random painting girl and by this moment I'm writing this, Mr Google practically wiped out all I had replacing me by AI generated bits and pieces. While you're going through things like that the last thing I think of to be honest is painting. But if I don't paint, what do I post?
Oh!
I love all of your works. They make up a perfect little book of nothingness maybe? That all of us can relate, trust me.
The sole fact that there is another struggling artist and its not yet another "I just sold 300 bazillion prints on etsy and here is my course how you can finally be successful too" somehow makes me feel alive and seen.
I'm sorry for a very personal comment, I know it's not about me and I see you too it's just never a place to express what I felt too.
Thank you for this.
It never fails to make me sad seeing people, especially artists, say these kinds of things.
It’s truly never given, or never certain that what brings us joy can truly “keep us standing” and pay bills. That way, slowly what brought us joy from the start turns bitter, resulting in the exact opposite. I, and I’m sure, many people unfortunately understand.
In moments like this you’re told to “not give up” and “have hope”, “it gets better”, but I know that’s not genuinely encouraging for everyone.
You’re not asking for advice, if you’d take a suggestion; rest. Find the way. You sound exhausted and disappointed, and you’re perfectly right to be so. The creative industry is a harsh world and so many artists in the world struggle, it’s truly sad how many, and common it is. You’re definitely not alone, and figuring out what comes next can certainly be overwhelming, so please rest and relieve some of the pressure you’re putting in yourself and your art. Maybe, just maybe resting might result in a wonderful comeback. It’s not completely out of the question.
I’ve only started reading your content recently and I wish i hadn’t gotten here so late. I wish you better things to come around the corner. I don’t know if you believe in so, but I believe things work out a certain way for a reason; maybe this is one of them.
Don’t give up on such a special spark not everyone gets to have. An artist should never let themselves give up, they’re one of those things that keep our world special.
Hope to hear from you again :)