How artists can balance a social life and art and not suck at either

[@hakabaka2048]

Between social life and art, I would always choose art. Because art has always been by my side during my darkest hours. Your skills are timeless, while friends would come and go as life goes on.

[@TheArtMentor]

Can I read into this a little bit? Do you typically find that people have hurt you while art hasn't?

[@hakabaka2048]

@@TheArtMentor It isn't that I hate my friends that I made along the way. But friendships wane over time. It is the fate of middle-class families that we would scatter like spores as time goes on. If the only thing that holds your friendship is a yearly reunion, that friendship will not last very long nor is it going to be meaningful to maintain it. Most middle-class move to college towns after high school. and most graduates move out again as well since their skills would usually not be in demand within the region of those college towns. I don't want to protect a dying friendship. I want to fulfill dreams that's worth dying for. Whether it is working for a simple commission, or working on an illust, VFX, 3D, novels, webtoons, or comic books. In order to achieve it, make others (and yourself) know the worth of your time, not the other way around.

[@Myst_Eerie_Isle]

I need art friends. I'm going to start posting videos more frequently and I wish I could clamp onto a bunch of the artistic youtubers and become "friends". So we could do collabs and bounce ideas off each other.

[@TheArtMentor]

That's a fantastic idea! What types of videos are you making on your channel?

[@Myst_Eerie_Isle]

@@TheArtMentor I'm currently doing speed draws, but I'm going to start doing more crafts and fabrication.

[@SajiriArt]

All fantastic advice. Balancing social life with art growth is extremely important so that we can maintain our love for what we want to do

[@TheArtMentor]

If art is the expression of humanity, than we must build together with our fellow humans in order to grow ourselves, don't we?

[@HotHeadCringe]

I don’t think your videos are too long. If you really want to help someone they’re doing what they should. I would know, I came really needing help. Thanks for the help of giving me clarity from where I was standing. You did something hard, Sean. I was able to take action because of you.

[@TheArtMentor]

That's amazing, and I'm really happy to have impacted you so much! Where were you standing prior, and where are you now?

[@HotHeadCringe]

@@TheArtMentor I’m being abused and need enough money for stability so nothings changed other than being around hopefully better influences showing me stability so I can do things like be an artist.

[@jasonsadliberty1503]

• Quality interaction? I went and got a dog. • I'm an artist with or without social media. • surrounded by people and social interaction, or my stylus, pad, tools and solitude? Hands down, the latter. •5 hours a day dedicated to my work?...easily, but not dawdling, focus on a challenge. • time is wasted if spent without equal mental reciprocity from poeple. It Doesn't matter who. Make an exit. Avoid 'art' friends judging your work. Mostly we're not honest, bc we don't want to hurt your feelings. • more growth can occur by turning away a commission than accepting one, and knowing why. If you're not frustrated, slightly apprehensive, or angry, working with a piece. You're in your comfort zone. Go ahead and take a nap. • minimize the importance of social media. There's more cons than pros, and detracts from creativity. I learned a lot here a year ago, closed the jar and ran with it..I've improved 5 fold with dedication.

[@TheArtMentor]

Sounds like you've developed your own methods to make your art life and human life more balanced, huh?

[@silveraxel510]

I'm usually on Discord, sharing art and being inspired with like-minded ppl.

[@TheArtMentor]

Discord is an awesome place where artists hang out! Are you on my discord server as well?

[@silveraxel510]

@@TheArtMentor I didn't know you had one😮

[@AverageGuy2002]

It's getting harder and harder making some connections online to a fellow artists

[@TheArtMentor]

Why do you think that?

[@BigJay2133]

With how my week has been, I feel like you made this video just for me 😅. Thank you so much for your art and wisdom

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks so much!! I’m so happy this was valuable for you, and I hope more can relate. What about your week made this video resonate with you so much?

[@BigJay2133]

@TheArtMentor Not to get too much into it, but it was a was a mix of me and my partner at odds and me fighting through artistic self doubt when posting my work online. I'm in a much better spot now, and part of it was just centering myself and my intentions

[@danieljamiesonillustrates]

Heya. I'm about 7 minutes in first of all great video man :D. For me, I can't say I have blamed anyone or anything. think growing up listening to Bobbie Chiu and some other great artists helped. like you say maybe in another way, human connection can be your fuel to help you create. maybe going out for a "drink with the lads" is the fuel you need to continue on your artistic art journey. great topic as always.

[@TheArtMentor]

Absolutely! We feed off of our humanity and learning how to be more human, so naturally, we crave socialization. Unfortunately, it's all too easy to condition ourselves away from socialization, isn't it?

[@danieljamiesonillustrates]

@@TheArtMentor yes, thank you. always great to hear your wise words :D.

[@jamesbullo]

I needed to hear all of this 🙌

[@TheArtMentor]

I'm so happy to hear it that! What helped you the most in this video?

[@Moonlightglitch]

thanks for tips for this topic, very useful indeed. balance is key to maintain both your family and interests.

[@TheArtMentor]

You;re very welcome, my friend! What have you found helps keeps you balanced?

[@Moonlightglitch]

@@TheArtMentor never focused on one thing to much snf always take a break if youre stressed

[@TheArtMentor]

Very nice to hear! Happy to hear you have healthy strategies!

[@rcguy2175]

I have actually started learning spline 3d,and its fun.baby steps

[@TheArtMentor]

Glad to hear you're enjoying the process!

[@rcguy2175]

@@TheArtMentor yes indeed

[@nintai6656]

Parents who can’t keep up with their art because of their kids, try spending an hour per week with your kids working on art together. You get the practice you want, they get to learn a myriad of essential life skills that prepare them for adulthood, and you both get quality family time. Plus it’s 1 hour less screen time per week per person. Wouldn’t you rather they spend that time learning that effort makes miracles rather than watching one of KZbin’s stupidity fountains? The odds of an unsupervised child watching educational content like this are about the same as a planet hosting life. More art means less e-babies.

[@TheArtMentor]

Great advice! My kids love doing drawing tutorials and I join in sometimes, do yours ever do those as well?

[@Wendy_de_Boer]

Date an artist. Problem solved. 😜

[@TheArtMentor]

hey hey, no cheat codes here!!! lol. Have you ever dated an artist and found yourself or your partner feeling competitive towards one another?

[@Wendy_de_Boer]

@@TheArtMentorMy spouse of 16 years is a fellow artist. 😁 I was quite upset when we both entered a contest and he got all the likes and I got zilch. These days, I'm mostly trying to cajole him into actually finishing more personal art. 😆