[Originally from the January 18th edition of my newsletter.]
Recently, I saw someone posting advice about making art and about how you get better. I then saw someone reply, “When does that happen? I’ve been making art for years and I see no improvement. I hate making stuff unless I’m getting paid.”
I looked over their art and while it was good, it really did just all look the same. And I realized that it was because they didn’t draw unless it was a paying gig. And while there’s nothing wrong with getting paid for your art, if getting paid is the only reason then your art probably isn’t going to improve.
I should clarify that art did not seem to be this person’s primary source of income. It seemed more like a hobby which made me wonder why they didn’t find a new hobby if they hated it so much.
If you don’t enjoy making art then you will avoid making it. And when you have to make it, you will hate what you’ve made because it won’t be that good. You won’t be looking for ways to improve, you’ll just be trying to get it over with so you can do anything else. And if you aren’t improving then you won’t make that much money off of it anyway. You’re just going to perpetually be frustrated the way that the artist was. It’s very self-defeating in a way I can’t understand.
I feel fortunate that I don’t think I’ve ever HATED something I’ve written. I can look at something and know it isn’t good but I still see promise/find something I do like in it. For me, part of the fun is figuring out what didn’t work and how to improve it. It’s like putting together a puzzle. And when the pieces fall into place, it’s just an amazing feeling. I just enjoy writing. If I didn’t, I’d go do something else.
I don’t know. It just stuck with me.