If you look at the word ARTIST in the dictionary it is defined as “a person who creates paintings or drawings as a profession or hobby”. (Oxford Languages 2025). 

It’s official… you are an Artist. 

That’s an official definition but what does being an Artist really mean?

Is it… 

• Exploring what you like in terms of medium and color? 
• Creating pieces that represent your feelings, emotions, interpretations? 
• Self-expression 
• Fighting off the trolls and the people that say “that’s rubbish, that’s not art”
• Sharing what you learn with others 
• Encouraging people to go for it, let go and paint. 
• Going to a happy place where you don’t have to justify what or why you’re doing it. 
• Being at peace with who you are. 
• Battling with self doubt. 
• Learning new skills and techniques. 
• Making many mistakes (which are actually lessons).
• Just wanting to give up! 
• Having so much fun the time just passes by. 
• Nervous to receive feedback on a painting you created. 
• Being the envy of people who are trying to trash you and the paintings you create. 
• Being brave and just going for it. 
• Having a stock of paintings no one wants to buy. 
• Looking at a painting you’ve created and hating it; then loving it and knowing it’s your best work yet. 
• Being happy. 
• Quietly saying to people when they ask you what you do (I’m an artist) with a little bit of reservation. 
• With enthusiasm, you can’t wait to tell people you are an Artist. 
• Waking up with zero creative ideas – have I lost my mojo? 
• Having so many ideas you need more than 24 hours in one day. 
• Learning you are important to this world and your work is valuable to the right people. 
• Striving for validation. 
• Having a sense of self-worth; am I enough. 
• Following your creative dreams knowing most people will not take that leap of faith. 
• You’re a role model to people – wow really? 
• Championing others on to express themselves.
• You inspire others to paint! 
• Applauding the successes but also learning from the failures. 
• Finding your tribe of people who get you. No questions asked because it is what it is. 
• Growing and evolving as an artist and person; not standing still or becoming stagnant. 
• Making money by doing what you love.
• Selling your creations! Wow what a feeling. 
• It’s not just a job, or a hobby, it’s YOU. 
• Frustrated you can’t achieve the results you want. 
• Practice, practice, practice. 
• Give up. Not giving up. Give up. Not giving up. 
• Trusted within the community. 
• Not being able to go to an art store and just look; we always NEED to buy something.. 
• Being in control of what you create and when; the best feeling of being able to do what you want to do. 
• Making life long friends with a passion for art. 
• Being broke all the time because you just need that new paintbrush, paint color, canvas… haha. 
• Not owning a piece of clothing without a trace of paint on it. 

Yes, All of the above! The list is endless. These are my personal thoughts and experiences… let me know if you can relate or if you can also add to this unending list. 

What I would like to end with this month, is please please please be kinder to yourself. Artists can be very self-critical and need to have resilience just to get by and allow their creatively to flow, forget the haters and embrace those that appreciate what you are and what you do. Enjoy you. Enjoy your freedom. Enjoy your creativity without doubt or fear. Just be you. 

Check out Mark’s course on Smart Art Courses: Mindfully Creative: Art Techniques for the Mind, Body and Soul
www.smartartcourses/art-for-mindfulness 

Mark Ratcliffe from Mark J Ratcliffe Art: Abstract Artist & Creator; Certified Meditation Coach and
Wellbeing Practitioner.  Written in his own words @MarkJRatcliffeArt / markjratcliffeart@gmail.com