When it comes to the art making process, it is important to realise that you can make art in your own way. However you like. Whatever you like. It is your decision. It’s your art. You don’t have to fit a mould.

When you know this and start to accept it, as simple as it sounds, the art making process can become a lot simpler for you. Tell yourself that you are the captain of your own ship – “I can make art in my own way!”

Sounds simple right? Well this is where the confusion comes in. When you want to put your art out into the world for it to be seen and engaged with by others on some level or another, for it to make an impact, this is where you’ll start to hear the word consistency. Here is where it becomes more elusive.

Having ‘style’

For me, personally, I don’t think it’s about having a style. It’s not about having one style. Many artists out their own ‘style’, but this is when it can really start to limit people. Artists start to think that they need to always create art in the same way – whether it be colour, subject matter, medium or materials.

However, this is not what having a ‘style’ is. In fact I try not to use the word style at all. It is about thinking about what you want to push out into the world through your artwork. It’s about having consistency in the delivery of your artwork not your ‘style’ so to speak.

When you start to fine tune your voice as an artist, when you start to select parts of your art making that you really like and want to do more of. When this process happens, this is when you are really starting to develop your own voice. Think of it as your own flavour rather than style.

This is your voice starting to come through!

Finding your voice

Galleries will often prefer to represent artists with consistency in their art. They don’t do it to be awkward, which is how it can feel sometimes! A gallery will represent you because they know they have the client base who are likely to buy your type of work. So seeing the consistency in you as an artist is important when it comes to representation.

Obviously, over time there will be evolution and your work will change. You don’t want it to become stagnant, but consistencies will remain.

Your art will start to speak to people and people will begin to understand your art and learn what to expect.
Finding your way and your own voice is really important. Don’t feel restricted in your art making. There are so many ways to make art. Some artists like to make a variety of art, others like to make the same type of art. Remember, either is okay. Make art that comes from within your soul. There will always be time to develop and fine tune your voice without having to commit to making the same art all the time.

Remind!

Just remind yourself to step back, look at your work and fine tune your pieces so you can begin to fine tune your voice as an artist.

Much love,
Michelle x

P.S. You can listen to this episode over on the Your Art Matters podcast: https://www.unitedartspace.org/the-podcast/