Is Your Art Practice Paralyzed by Comparison?
As artists, we are keenly aware of the multitude of other artists out there and the work that they’re doing. We see their work in the galleries where our work is exhibited, in our artist guilds and collectives, on social media and other online sources, and in art magazines. With all of this input, it’s impossible not to compare our artwork and our artistic journey to that of others. This can be beneficial to us, but if we’re not mindful, it could also derail us.
To Compare is Human
One might pledge to not compare their art to that of any other artist, but if you’re intent on getting your work into the hands of collectors and into competitive spaces like exhibitions and galleries, it’s simply not realistic. The fact is, human nature compels us to compare things, people, and each other. If we didn’t have this tendency, we’d never be able to buy a satisfying piece of fruit or select a mate. This comparison is part of the purchasing process when someone buys your art, too. So let’s not demonize comparison!
Make Comparison Work for You
When you look at another artist’s Instagram profile or website, it can bring up feelings of jealousy as you compare it to your own. You may feel “less-than” or inadequate when comparing yourself with this artist in any number of ways: art education, art aesthetic, technical skill, website design, copy writing skills, marketing ability, branding, photography, follower count, press, age, looks—as you can see, the list can veer way out of bounds from the actual art!
Some of these things are unchangeable: unfortunately, I can’t change myself into a 20-something sweet young thing. But I can stop myself from imagining that youth is a magic advantage that I lack. I can acknowledge that my age gives me something very powerful: wisdom and experience. For things like this that have to do with your body, it’s important to tap into your self love and to remember that there are successful artists of every age, body type, and physical or cognitive challenge. Find some heroes that inspire you to embrace who you are as you proudly go forth as an artist!
Other things are changeable, and these may be valuable clues for you: they can help you identify your goals and aspirations. For example, when you notice that another artist’s aesthetic is so cohesive that her art all seems to go together, while yours seems disjointed in comparison, don’t waste time feeling bad about this. Instead, consider how you can move your work into a more cohesive direction. Can you identify a color palette that you like that you can limit yourself to for a while? Set a few parameters for your artwork and watch as you create your own unique and cohesive art. Congratulations—you used comparison to uplevel your art portfolio!
This can be done with anything else that strikes you as you find yourself comparing yourself with other artists: your website design or copy, your branding or photography, your marketing, your professionalism, and more. Don’t get jealous, get inspired and get motivated to uplevel your own skills!
Keep Comparison from Getting in Your Way
While comparison can be a good thing, it can also get to be too much. While we can be inspired by looking at other artists’ work, it can sometimes become overwhelming or a distraction. If you find that looking at others’ work is taking too much time away from your most important task—creating your own art—it may be time to put some blinders on.
Try avoiding social media or putting time limits on those apps. If you find yourself comparing and despairing, flip the script and start reflecting on all of your accomplishments. Remind yourself that there will always be people who seem to be ahead of you on this journey, and this is all relative. You need to enjoy where you are right now in your journey and make the most of it.
I hope that you will use comparison as a tool to achieve your aspirations, and I hope you will treasure each step in your creative journey! Want to follow my journey? I’d love you to follow me on Instagram.