Seeking Validation and Earning Credibility as an Artist

Or, rather, false validation from social media.

It’s true, and I hate saying this, that the more followers you have, the more likely I am to pay attention to you and your art because others have given you their thumbs up at some point. 

And your social feed is more likely to maintain my attention if it emphasizes art as the center of your life. Art, art, and more art. That’s what I want to see from an artist who seeks reflection and critical attention.

However, we have to acknowledge that there is a false sense of validation from social media. I think Sara Schroeder felt that when she talked about wanting to be “more than an Instagram artist.” She grew her Instagram following quickly and had to take a step (or two) back to contemplate what she really wanted from her art. Listen to my conversation with her in episode 119.

While it feels good to get those followers, likes, comments, and shares on social media, at some point you have to wonder what they all mean. 

Who is doing the following, liking, commenting, and sharing? How are those interactions helping you in the long run? What happens when you don’t get enough likes or comments?

This begs the question: Who are you seeking validation from?