Growing On Instagram As An Artist, Art School & Productivity | A Chatty Artist Q&A

It's Q&A time! Join me in this quite chatty video (almost a podcast, really!) to talk about growing on Instagram as an artist, whether I think you need to go to art school to be an artist, and where to get drawing ideas.
Thanks to everyone who asked a question for this last-minute Q&A! I had planned to make a different video but decided to save it for another week so that's why it was so spontaneous 😄
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A big thank you to my partner for filming and editing this video!
00:00 Intro
00:25 Did you have a dayjob before starting your art journey seriously?
01:36 Any advice about starting to learn illustration when you have a 9-5 job already?
03:20 How did you start your art career?
04:23 Have you ever felt like quitting when things don’t work out?
05:52 Do you recommend studying art at a University to get a degree?
07:06 Do you have days in which you don't want to work?
08:14 What are your anxiety and insecurities in your art journey?
10:07 Any tips on time management/productivity?
12:49 What advice would you give someone who feels that they aren't good at drawing?
14:38 How to start learning new skills?
16:31 How did you decide what to draw/create?
17:28 Do you think newsletters are a good way of interacting with people?
18:29 How do you grow on social media?
19:39 How do you think artists can adapt to regain engagement & grow on Instagram?
22:54 How can i stay motivated when I’m not growing on social media?
24:26 How'd you start your KZbin journey?

[@MimimooIllustration]

It was nice to sit down and have a little crafternoon while answering your questions, we'll have to do it again sometime! 🥰🌷

[@LatteDot]

Is that the DIY House? So I just recently started following you on patreon. This past weekend i discovered rolife and diy house and have spent HOURS on these miniature projects but had never heard of them or see someone do it. SO fun!!!

[@LatteDot]

And i discovered this after i decided i would draw every day 🤦‍♀️ needless to say all I’ve done is spend time making miniature flowers and sofa couches but no drawing 🙈

[@bridget1557]

Just found your channel today and I’ve been watching all of your videos! I absolutely love them. You’ve inspired me to get out of my rut and just start making more art and I’m actually going to post a new piece that I’m really proud of soon on my Instagram and put myself out there.

[@Zee090]

Thank you so so much for answering my question! It’s not an everyday thing to see your comment getting noticed, that really made my day💜 Your answers were really great to listen to, and I loved how you gave them in such detail. And your answer to my question made me realise that I shouldn’t be rushing things. Again, thank you so much for answering my question!💖💖💖

[@kimber_renee]

As always beautiful advice! I love how you encourage authenticity and to be genuine, it's something a lot of the world is lacking when money is involved. Thank you for always being honest and genuine!

[@cuthill_creative]

I love your chatty videos.🥰 It's so nice to hear other people's opinion on art related topics. My family and friends are mainly not interested in art, so sometimes I feel l bit alone. Watching your videos always feels so encouraging and it is so valuable to get tips from somebody who is in their art journey already where I want to be one day.😊

[@soniya3184]

"Make art for yourself first and share it with others second" I was struggling with external validation and pushing myself too hard to be good too soon. Watching this has made me feel so much better! Thank you for doing this Mimi! 🌻🤍

[@MimimooIllustration]

So nice to hear this made you feel better! 🌷✨

[@tomkeundjona]

I love to listen to you talk. It makes me feel very motivated and inspired. Thank you for sharing 👏☺️

[@MimimooIllustration]

Aw that's really nice to hear! 🌷

[@sailor.britters]

I recently found out about Artfol and for me it's everything I loved about instagram before it used an algorithm. Likes, comments, chronological posts, explore options, and no competing with tiktok.

[@MimimooIllustration]

Oh that's good to know!

[@b.knotty]

Thank you for answering my question. There were so many questions I had that I didn’t realize I had watching this video lol. I loooove “your passion is yours”. I posted my first studio vlog last week and think it will be a monthly upload. I love creating and I’m def into a lot of different crafts so I’m learning to consider myself more of an artist. Thank you for this 💛

[@MimimooIllustration]

I just watched your new vlog and it was great! So lovely to see you making space and time for your creativity, looking forward to seeing more of your art journey 🥰

[@theloniuspoon]

this is some seriously level headed sober advice for artists, your channel is very well done and of very high quality even for artists whove been doing this for years i still learned something, thank you

[@artseiba]

I really love and appreciate how realistic and practical all the advices you give are! ❤ Thank you Mimi!

[@sungly3007]

Thank you Mimi, I love the encouragement and the suggestions on how to believe in yourself. I am not a very confident person and do get sad if I realised that my post are not seen by many, you are right, we shall not let social media tell us how good we are, but start to beleive and appreciate the friends, who engaged and exchanged thoughts. I have taken a lot of inspiration, but most important I learn to see myself in a different position. I am grateful for this video

[@TaniaRouserArt]

Gosh, I catch myself tuning out of the narrative and just watching your B-roll, it’s amazing! Great videos and information you put out, thank you 😊❤

[@ingrid-b-art]

Thanks for always giving such genuine, down to earth and actionable advice 🧡

[@fuzzydragons]

def dont need to go to college/uni for art and really only if a person can afford it and can create around other people, but 100% of the stuff you learn there can be learned outside of school

[@VanessaV44]

Great video Mimi ☺️ Your positivity is so wonderful and you have some really good points about social media and art business. I've gone through your catalogue of art business videos recently and gained so many great tips. Particularly where you compared working and studying at uni to working full time and building a business - so true that it may take a few years longer than what we expect. That outlook has helped me to think more realistically, it's hard to devote as much time as you may like with other work but you can still get there in the end (each at their own pace)! Your guidelines for being on social media are great too, those genuine interactions with others are the best!

[@wgc3060]

Hi Mimi, I love your videos they are very inspiring, I actually started to draw again because every time I saw one of your videos I felt inspired to try one more time :)

[@MimimooIllustration]

Oh I love to hear that! ✨🥰

[@bakasumi]

Thank you Mimi for answering my question in your video. You are such an inspiration for me 🦋

[@jessiesullivan4531]

Thank you, this was very informative and helpful 😊

[@prix3897]

what do you do when you feel burnout?? I love your art, and videos I always watch when I don´t know what to do

[@MimimooIllustration]

If I'm burntout it's because I've worked too much so I try to simplify my workload as much as possible and take time away from everything. I actually have a video about how to juggle everything coming out next week 🥰

[@shinaerazo6070]

what kind of graphic tablet do you draw on? I absolutely love your videos. As a mom of 3 and a head of a household you have helped me to have realistic expectations about art as a career. I discovered art late in life and needed an honest and realistic view of art as a career. I find your videos to be very very inspiring

[@suzannestarbird1305]

Thank you Mimi for your answer! I loved the video❤ it is so helpful. I wish you all the best✨️

[@newbiekitty3528]

Thank you Mimi, really needed this video. Always a pleasure looking at your videos

[@azuraskye88]

You are so wise! Thank you for answering my question and doing so so thoughtfully. Really appreciated 🙏🙏🙏

[@MimimooIllustration]

My pleasure, thanks for asking!

[@sukeyd.artist]

I just love your videos and just listening to you because it's really inspiring and motivating. ☺️

[@wonders2451]

Your video is always amazing!. As a starting artist it feels like the place is crowded as well. Lets see where this goes! Lots of loveee🖤

[@MimimooIllustration]

There's always room for your art as well!

[@AnaBela1990]

i really enjoyed this video, thank you for sharing your thoughts and advice, for me it was motivational and realistic. i loved the background projects you chose to do while chatting away💛 until next time🙋‍♀️

[@MimimooIllustration]

Really glad you enjoyed it! 😊✨

[@xeinakingdom]

It was really really lovely, thanks for sharing your experiences

[@catherinej6542]

I really love listening to yo talk! its like your voice is if the phrase "everything is gonna be ok" was an actual person (sorry if that sounds weird)

[@MimimooIllustration]

Such nice feedback, Catherine! Sometimes I wonder if I sound like I'm disinterested so that's nice to hear 😊

[@naturejelisabeth]

very pleasant! thank you for sharing :) have a nice day mimi

[@pranjalisartavia]

Hiiiii !!! I've been following your work on insta and yt. Love your art and youtube content. I love how you always give detailed insights of your art business and inspire us everyday. Big thanks to you ❤️ Just visited your etsy shop. There's one concern in my mind regarding selling digital art. As an artist I always wonder how artists sell their high quality digital products ( wallpapers or art courses) online. What if, people (buyers) buy your wallpapers or any printable and then print those high quality images and sell physically in real marketplace! Isn't there a risk of misuse. How would we know if anyone misuse our art this way??

[@joanabessa8548]

♥️

[@SketcherAmitSharma]

So beautiful👌👌

[@saradandridge]

Hi there!! I've been binging your time-lapse videos (keep em coming! I LOVE them!) and I had a question. I've noticed that you seem to rarely follow your sketch very closely. You'll sketch out where the leaves or flowers or whatever go, and then when you add the color, it's almost never matching up with the sketch. I was just wondering why that might be? Is it a conscious decision? Are you just being free and loose? Did you decide you didn't like where you put it in the sketch? Just curious! I'm trying to learn how to be an artist myself 😊

[@mimaishawesome]

Hey! I know this is an old video but I’d like to answer one of the questions from my experience, as it might be encouraging to aspiring illustrators that are currently working 9 to 5. I’d say a lot depends on your skillset and experience. If you aren’t just starting out drawing or painting and you wanted to specifically get into let’s say children’s books illustration, I would focus on making a portfolio. Then I would try to either find an agent or email art directors of publishing houses or reach out to them on linked in, sending them your portfolio website. Most of my side work/freelance work inquiries come from linked in but that’s more of a b2b work (publishers/EdTech) rather than b2c. I’m currently working 9 to 5 and I work on freelance projects in the evenings and Saturdays, keeping Sundays free for myself. A tip for anyone that finds it draining to work after work - see it as a season in your life and that you’re doing it for a purpose and your end goal. Yes, we talk about quiet quitting a lot, working bare minimum and about work life balance, but short term, you’re able to push through harder times. Keep at it! I believe in you! Also, thank you Mimi for your content. I don’t comment a lot but I really love what you’re creating!

[@tinkerandteal]

For your artprints and other physical products do you mostly print those yourself? What printer and paper do you recommend? If not do you share who you outsource too?

[@MimimooIllustration]

I've just gotten some samples made from Teemill and have been impressed with the quality, they're a print on demand service so I don't need to handle any of the shipping. I think I would need to invest in quite a good printer to make my own prints.

[@tinkerandteal]

@@MimimooIllustration yes I am 100% open to outsourcing to save on time and having to hire help. So completely agree. I've not heard of them so I'll check them out. Thanks for sharing. I love your videos, your artwork and your advice it's greatly appreciated

[@tyleranimations7862]

What brush or brushes do you use in adobe photoshop? I recently found this channel and I LOVE it!!! Your art is so inspirational and I love watching your art when I feel stuck or bored.

[@MimimooIllustration]

Hi! You can download a pack called Kyle's Megapack from Kyle T. Webster direct from Adobe and there are SO MANY amazing brushes, but it's a bit overwhelming to look at them all so I mostly use a brush called 'natural feel brush' from that pack 😊

[@tyleranimations7862]

@@MimimooIllustration thank u sooo much!

[@huyenkanS2]

❤️