why you shouldn't let your fear stop you from accomplishing your goal

When I started my art career, I spent my time creating work and selling them. Desperate to make a living from my art, I did art commissions and art shows, taught kids camp, sought gallery representation, and eventually landed myself a solo show.

I was having a blast in my life, I knew if I kept up with this, I could do this as a career. 

What worked for me was a string of things: passion, determination, courage, and blissful ignorance. Although I had no confidence in my artistic skill and business ability I had courage on my side and that was all I needed.

Aspiring artists often asked me how to gain confidence as a newbie. My advice is to take time to nurture your art and business skills and most of all have courage.

Courage is necessary for life, especially if you want an unconventional one. I recently found this quote which describes what courage is so well. 

"Courage doesn't mean you don't get afraid, courage means you don't let fear stop you." Bethany Hamilton

The reality is once you try something that seems scary and you don't die from it, your confidence will build, and then, you are thinking, "well, that went well, let's add another layer to this and see what happened." :)

Eventually, doing scary things becomes a habit, and you feel unbeatable and can conquer everything. And that’s when you build confidence.

Artists, if you want to make it in the art world, don't let anyone deter you. Your dream belongs to you and no one else.

Even if you have a young family that depends on you or a sick parent that needs your help, but it doesn't mean your dream is doomed. Cultivate your dream and do something about it; it doesn't have to be huge, but take that step forward. 

When you start a side hustle or a full fledge business, it takes courage because there are a lot of pieces to put together. After all, you haven't done it before. Allow yourself to make mistakes, and allow yourself to try things out. 

At the beginning of my art career, I was scared too. I was afraid that I wasn't good enough; by then, I had accumulated so much work in my tiny apartment; my space was practically getting swallowed by my paintings. :0 Despite my fears, I eventually went out there and sold my art and reclaimed my space! And that felt AWESOME!

Listen, courage comes from taking action; a little effort is all you need; put one foot forward and go for it, and confidence grew from there.

Don't get stuck; I know how that feels. There is no forward progression when you are stuck, so get unstuck. Join a FB group, take a business course or get a mentor. 

Many of you have joined my group, but you need to take action; participating is your first step. Ask your questions, don't be shy. 
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Don't let your fear stop you from living your best life because making your art into a business is a tiny step to happiness. 

In the beginning of my art career, I was scared every moment, but I did it anyway. I encourage you to take the courage to travel the journey to discover how to make it in the art world. 

I didn't let Fear get in my way. My journey as a business owner has had its challenges, traveling to different towns and opening up galleries is scary too.

By no means my journey have been roses but it is a creative life, the one that I have chosen for myself and that is worth something to me.

The important thing is I continue to work hard and I know my experiences have taught me that no challenges will ever derail my ambition because I have the courage and confidence to see things through.

If you want it bad enough, artists, leave me a comment or email me at [email protected] and let me help you to move forward. 

With Creative Joy,
Ting