Today, I delve into what I consider to be the very essence of being an artist: personal branding. I have immense admiration for artists who stay true to their originality and their brand philosophy, refusing to compromise their principles for the sake of money. This raises a crucial dilemma: What do you do when you're strapped for cash? How do you navigate a path filled with challenges?
For me, the real sacrifice lies in that conviction, in that leap of faith guided by our intuition about what we truly want to be, putting everything else into the background. Turning down lucrative opportunities that don't align with our personal brand is a true test of character. In the long run, however, staying true to our ideals pays off massively.
The journey is far from easy. We face criticism and rejection from those who, due to differing opinions, choose to distance themselves. Being honest and loyal to our own thoughts will always cause some social rift. But this, far from being a setback, is a sign that we're on the right path.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating for hostility. What I'm saying is, following a dream, listening to ourselves without external influences, if that leads to losing followers or attracting criticism, is not something we should feel responsible for. Disagreement is natural, and it's time we come to terms with that. Being affected by the comment of a stranger reveals, perhaps, our own insecurities, which, ironically, might be shared by the critic.
Design process on the iPad
I'm fully aware that I can't please everyone, especially while staying true to who I am. I voice my thoughts in situations where others choose silence, thus generating debate and discontent. But is there another way to build a community that's truly aligned with our essence?
Changing styles or themes to appeal to a broader audience is common practice. Myself, in times of financial need, I've dabbled with adapting my art. However, those days are behind me. Today, my original works are valued and priced much higher than they were ten years ago, and I'm confident this trend will continue.
Authenticity should not be sacrificed for economic pressures or the desire for approval. Staying true to our artistic vision strengthens our personal brand and increases the market value of our work.
Yardworks Festival - Glasgow 2019
So, in my next entry, I'll talk straight about how to determine the value of your brand, how to set a fair market price, and how I learned to value myself properly, without succumbing to the fear of not being appreciated. Properly valuing ourselves is crucial not only for the viability of our artistic career but also for teaching the market to respect and value our work justly.