048: Breaking the Rules

Wherein we discuss how you should redefine your success as an artist.

Feb 19, 2023

Welcome to week 48 of the Draw or Die Club weekly newsletter for visual storytellers. Don’t forget, you have access to the entire archive where we talk about all things pertaining to life as an artist.

It’s day 19 of the 28 day Drawing Challenge. If you want to see what I’ve been drawing live every night, check this Youtube Playlist. And be sure to search the hashtag #drawordieclub on socials to see other amazing work from artists in our community.

Artists were born to break the rules.

As we continue to navigate our lives as artists, it's essential to remember that success doesn't have to mean what society tells us it should be.

We often fall into the trap of believing that success as an artist is solely based on working for big names, selling out shows, or becoming a household name. But success should be defined by how it makes us feel, not what others define as success for us.

Breaking the stigmas of what success means for artists is about finding fulfillment in our own work, and creating art that moves us and others.

It's about pushing boundaries and experimenting with new techniques, mediums, and ideas. It's about finding your own unique style and staying true to your vision.

What about the rules?

Who made “the rules”?

Breaking the rules as an artist can be liberating and lead to innovative artwork that challenges the status quo.

Rules are often imposed by societal or cultural norms, limiting our ability to express ourselves authentically.

By disregarding these guidelines, we can create something unique and inspiring, discovering new ways of thinking and creating. In art, there are no fixed boundaries or guidelines, making breaking the rules an exciting form of creative exploration.

Anyone who tells you different is lying.

Redefining YOUR Success

Success can be as simple as finishing a piece of art that we've been struggling with or receiving a positive review from a stranger. It can be the joy we feel when we see our work in a gallery or the satisfaction we get from sharing our art with others.

It's time to stop measuring our worth as artists by society's standards and start celebrating the small successes that make us feel fulfilled.

So let's keep creating, pushing boundaries, and finding joy in your art. Because at the end of the day, success is about how it makes us feel, not what the world says it should or could be.

What are you creating today? What aren’t you creating that you’ve wanted to? What might you do differently?

Do that.

The Weekly Drawing CHALLENGE!

“Then Penelope picked up the sphere.”

All of this month’s drawing prompts were written by artists in the Draw or Die community. Today’s is from Paul at HeroHotelComics on instagram.

I like these narrative style of prompts because they force us to use our imagination. Who is Penelope? What sphere is she picking up? Draw out the first thing you think of! The special twist for today is: Penelope should have pigtails held together with little skulls.

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