Making a living as an independent artist is a constant balance between creating and making sure your work reaches others. Talent alone isn’t enough, nor is waiting for opportunities to come on their own. You have to move, seek, persist. Open doors, even if some don’t open right away. It’s not an easy or comfortable path, but if you truly love what you do, what other option is there?
Movement is essential. You can work tirelessly on your art, but if you don’t share it, if you don’t put it out into the world, it stays locked away in a drawer. Promoting what we do isn’t about losing our essence; it’s about making sure people have access to it. We have to let go of the fear of reaching out, of trying different ways to make our voices heard. It’s not about seeking validation, but about connecting, creating conversations, and finding those who resonate with what we do.
Recently, I decided to send copies of Saturno Lights and Shadows to people whose work I respect. Not out of ego, nor expecting anything specific in return, but because I believe in the importance of sharing my work with those who inspire me. And what could be better than working with people you admire? If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that surrounding yourself with people who push their own limits pushes you to do the same. Some responded enthusiastically, others said nothing. Some shared it, others simply received it in silence. And that’s okay. The immediate response doesn’t define the value of what we create.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that opportunities often don’t arrive when you expect them, but when you least imagine. The key is to keep planting seeds without obsessing over seeing them sprout right away. In Saturno Lights and Shadows, I talk specifically about this: the importance of planting seeds at different moments, understanding that every action counts, and realizing that even if results aren’t immediate, the act of sowing is a fundamental part of both the creative and professional journey.
And in the meantime, the only thing to do is keep creating, learning, and moving—because in the end, the only way to find new paths is by walking them.