Can we be artists without the pressure to commercialise our work?

How life's limitations are making me question and ultimately redefine artistic success.

Today, I felt a twinge of professional jealousy. A social media acquaintance is living the artistic dream—gallery representation, art fairs, and sales. She’s doing all the things I once hoped for. And for a moment, I felt that punch of envy deep in my gut.

But here’s the thing: I’ve realised I don’t have the energy right now. And that’s not me giving up. I accept that I can’t force this part of my journey, especially after these last few exhausting years.

I’m entering a new season of life, one where I must learn to accept my limitations as an opportunity rather than a defeat. To release myself from the weight of expectation. Maybe I’ll never be a full-time artist and have to let that dream go to make space for something else to emerge.

System overload

Recently, my mood had plummeted again, coinciding with a couple of months on HRT, and I wondered if I was anaemic again. It turns out, after a blood test confirmed, I’ve been in a hormonal funk.

After noticing this dip in mood, I took matters into my own hands. I’ve stripped things back, listened to my body, and made some changes. I’m working on accepting things as they are, allowing time and space to do their work.

Latterly, I’ve reintroduced more walks in nature. I’d dropped them after joining the gym but realised that, without them, my mood tanks like a phone on 1% battery. As much as I love spinning to hardcore drum and bass at the gym (my way of appeasing my more frustrated, angry side!), the walks bring the calmer, grounding energy I’d been missing.

The shift has been noticeable.

In the past few days, I’ve relished simple moments - sunlight dappling through the trees, the simple act of hanging clean, fresh washing out in the sunshine, and listening to music or podcasts while drawing in my studio, with no real purpose.

It felt like enough. The art felt like enough. I felt like enough

And do you know what? On my days off on Thursday and Friday this week, I found something unexpected: contentment and, dare I say it, happiness…?

That jealousy I mentioned earlier? Where once I’d have become worked up and headed towards an emotional system overload and eventual crash, this time, it quickly dissipated.

Maybe I’m in the realm of a hobbyist these days because I’m tired of hustle culture (working for a start-up definitely fuels that). In last week's post, I wrote about this tiredness and the pressure to chase algorithms and followers. Now, when I have time for myself, I crave the quiet and the simple.

So, here’s where I’m at: I call myself an artist because I need to create. My art isn’t about my life. It’s a result of it. If I don’t draw, my system crashes. But if I’m not creating to sell, does that make me ‘just' a hobbyist?

I’d love to know what you think makes someone a genuine, authentic artist.
Can we be artists without the pressure to commercialise our work?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Stay creative, my friends,

👩🏻‍🎨 Something I made

The fox and the hare floral, fineliner drawing

I’ve been playing with making much smaller drawings and designs for a floral animal book I dream of making one day. These animals roam a place called the ‘Isle of Ease’, inhabited by the ‘People of Flow’. I may write you a story about this imaginary place I visit from time to time ;)

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📷 And finally…the week in 3

1. Leaf heart

2. Hello from Georgie’s shadow side

3. The path of unknown opportunity

Which three photos from your camera roll best capture your week?
Share them here on the chat thread

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