ArtSloth is a passion project run by artists, for artists. While this is just a start - and one of the first blogs to be posted on this site - we have a lot planned for the months and years to come. We are here to provide emerging artists with the tools, exposure, and support they need to succeed, so we can help create a more inclusive and dynamic art community.
What ArtSloth is All About
At ArtSloth, we recognise that the world of Art can be tricky to get into. Especially when you're a self-taught, home-made artist. It's hard to find the right resources to help your practice, it's even harder to figure out how to get better at what you do without a structure in place - but most of all, it's the hustle that's the hardest. Where do you even begin?
Maybe you're not self-taught and you're fresh out of Art School, unsure about where to go from here. Or maybe, you're a stay-at-home parent who's finally decided to follow your passions and dreams with the little time you get. Or maybe, you've just quit your full time job to be able to work as an artist. Whatever your origin story, it's difficult to know where to start.
Not only is it difficult to learn and grow your skills on your own, many art galleries, globally, are notorious for rejecting applications from new emerging artists. I did displays at markets to sell paintings - and realised people don't really want to spend too much money on art from people who are brand new. Which then led me to swap out my large scale canvases to smaller and cheaper prints. And over time I realised, that to be able to pay my bills solely on the basis of my art - I was becoming a people pleaser, and my art wasn't what it was when I was creating just for me.
While I still couldn't keep myself out of the subjects I painted, I was gradually altering my work based on the things that were selling more. And don't get me wrong, it's important to know your target audience. It's important to change and shift based on demand - but it's not what inspired me to become an Artist.
As a creative individual, I struggled most with managing the business side of my career. I was good at creating, but selling art was new to me. Managing inventory, sales, marketing - I never thought these were things I would have to learn. But creating was just one half of the picture.
Nowadays, galleries aren't the only places where you can sell paintings. With social media channels like instagram and youtube, you can market your art directly to people who connect with your work. While starting a website and an online art store has never been easier, it's still important to learn how to market and sell your art. In the words of Auguste Gusteau, anyone can cook (up an art career) - but only the fearless can be great.
Not to mention, there's millions of artists on Instagram today. Some great and some terrified. With so much creativity at our fingertips, it can get overwhelming, and it can be hard not to compare yourself to other artists. Creative individuals struggle immensely with issues like self-esteem and anxiety. So many artists that I know personally are perfectionists who struggle to put out work that they don't consider is good enough.
At ArtSloth - these are the issues we want to tackle. How to keep your art true to you. How to create a portfolio that galleries can't resist. How to get batter at your craft with daily practice. Where to go to network with other fellow artists, and most of all - where to start when you just don't know where to start.
We will be promoting artists we come across that move us. And we will promote the artists, not just the art. ArtSloth is meant for people who can't keep away from painting, or crafting, or sculpting or whatever it is that you do. For people who can't keep away from creating something beautiful out of nothing.
Every Artist's journey is their own. While this is a start - we hope we can build a community of artists who help each other grow, so we can all learn from each others successes and failures. We're here you to help guide you through your process - sloth and steady does it.
Hope you'll stick around!
Team ArtSloth