STOP Romanticizing Art Business

[@Anonymouthful]

I romanticize the idea of having enough money that I dont die.

[@-Ravenscroft-]

Exactly. I'm not personally misled, I'm just disabled and poor and already own art supplies 😂

[@wigglyfruit4708]

Yep 😂😅

[@NightPhoenixPress]

This!

[@miafemat1535]

same! I romanticize having enough time to even draw a stick figure while having enough money to not die ;(

[@adventurerke]

i think this is such in issue with social media, there's a reason people are so angry with tradwives influencers, ALL influencers, and that includes art influencers. there's a huge romantization in vlogs and artists make it look sooooo cozy and easy. i love that you also hold the audience accountable! people need to be critical on what they watch, bcs ofc the influencer is gonna post their pretty sides only, that's natural.

[@Vor567tez]

People can love their job. I have seen many artist log, with variety of styles. But all them have shared their struggle and loss. Noone romanticised it. Sometimes people need to understand that people have their own style.

[@adventurerke]

@Vor567tez yes i think it's romanticized only if u watch 1 or 2 videos. but still, even if they share it's hard, they never actually SHOW the hard parts bcs it's just not interesting to watch. so it's hard for ppl to catch that if they're not critical

[@Vor567tez]

@@adventurerke Who are you watching? Because all the content creator, on YT I have watched, always talk about how hard and struggling their art journey is. Most of the video is only about hardship and lack of idea's they face. Balyee Jay Kattavalk Viyaura Elyse Breanne Design Versperititu And so many more. It's impossible how anyone who is into art side of YT will never come across "it's hard to be artist" video. Because every art YT creator talks about it. More so if someone is wants it as a career. Infact I have seen in real life people are more aware of pitfalls of art career.

[@rubys_trinkets]

@@Vor567tez I’m sure most people in the art community have HEARD the words “it’s hard to be an artist.” But when it comes to SEEING it, we still mostly see art making and success stories. Like I said, I’m not blaming artists for romanticizing, I’m encouraging us as viewers to look inwards! This is Availability Heuristic, the first thing we think of, and the first thing we see when we look up Art Business on KZbin, are videos about studio vlogs, how I launched my art shop, how I make money from my art. We as viewers need to remind ourselves that just because we see a lot of success stories doesn’t mean it was easy for that artist, we need to keep our perception in check so we don’t compare ourselves to an unrealistic expectation WE accidentally created. It sounds like you understand the struggles artists face and that’s great, it means you aren’t romanticizing and you’re engaging with this content in a healthy way! But other artists may not be there yet, they may be stuck in the comparison cycle and need to be reminded of this

[@Waspinmymind]

Trad wives are also feeding a narrative that harms women as a whole. Don’t ignore the politics in this.

[@sabinaadamyan4562]

A great and a much needed video. By the by, am I the only one who would love to see the "boring", technical side of things? The taxes, the expenses and the emails. Maybe I'm nosy, but I think it would be great to know how to deal with those aspects and whether I'm doing things right.

[@priltheartist9007]

Me too!

[@keepyourshoesathedoor]

It’s not a big enough audience for that, but I wanna see it too.🥺

[@Princess793]

Same, as tedious as the technical side may be, it can be interesting (and definitely necessary). There are some artist (Rafi and Klee) who discuss taxes; I haven't seen the actual documents, but they discussed important things to consider when doing taxes. Inkwell broke down his annual Gross Income for one year. If you're paying close attention to the video you can roughly calculate his net income for the year as well.

[@hopefulartsprout]

I think this sort of thing is great to look up in places like forums, where a lot of discussion is happening between artists. I think it just makes for a more boring video, and it's very hard to audience-target since taxes are so market and country specific. For example, I'm a concept artist in Greece, but tax differently to other Greek concept artists working with EU or Greek clients because I mostly work with American companies. If I worked with local companies I have different taxation fees when providing services. It's also different if you're actually shipping a physical product/object. Some countries have lower fees for artists for example, because of cultural promotion programs, while some products may be hit with higher tariffs as luxury goods when shipping etc. Quick universal tips for other artists just starting out: - An accountant can be very worth it! Their fees are also part of your business expenses so can be deducted from your business income. They can also help you navigate local laws/exceptions etc - Any program subscription you use, like PS or a Schoolism monthly subscription, or art courses are also deductible business expenses, similarly to equipment/supplies - Join a group of working artists from your specific country (mine is on Discord and Facebook), they've likely dealt with the same stuff you're gonna deal with and know your local market's pitfalls, specific laws etc. There might also be local unions or collective action in your industry with interesting socializing events etc - Look into how big corpos do stuff. How do they do communications and write emails? How do they do file documentation? I love naming my .psd's "qdkhqdkq" as much as the next guy, but try finding anything in a folder with a 100 files that way. - Streamline your process and understand where your time is going. Art as business not for pleasure unfortunately needs to fit specified time-sensitive margins that you define to be viable.

[@Amanecer458]

You are weird i think

[@NayHarrabots]

I always appreciate whoever was so brutally honest with the amount of workload and pressure manga and comic artists face, I don't remember exactly where I read it for the first time, but it stuck with me and I decided at very young age that it wasn't for me. People underestimate how highly crafted everything is, genuine honesty is so hard to come by in practically every field

[@rubys_trinkets]

@@NayHarrabots I had a similar experience, I was interested in character design and working in film or video games. But my advisor in art school was blunt about how hard that industry is on artists. It’s not that it’s impossible if you really want to do it, but it’s okay to accept that a path in life just isn’t right for you. I appreciated her honesty and it helped me make an informed decision I agree, I see that underestimation everywhere. It takes time and effort to become knowledgable in any field. I also think genuine honesty is hard to find, and I’m wondering why that is. Always so much to think about in this topic!

[@trevorfranks69]

​@@rubys_trinkets so then you decide that growing your own channel is better than working for game/film studios? Isn't the workload and stress pretty much the same?

[@rubys_trinkets]

@@trevorfranks69 there’s pros and cons to anything, more than just workload. Building my own channel means I’m self-employed, which changes a lot. yes I have to do extra work like accounting and bookkeeping, but in return I have flexibility. I am my own boss and my deadlines are whatever I choose, where as game designers often have crunch times to meet an extremely strict deadline. Choosing which path is best is very personal, everyone has their own needs, strengths, and weaknesses!

[@JackTheVulture]

Honestly when I just accepted that i straight up dont want to do all this and would rather art just be my hobby, I felt such a massive sense of relief. People need to be aware how much work this stuff is before they start quitting their jobs and making huge sacrifices. I know I'd never be happy marketing myself or running ANY business, it being about my art won't make a difference. If anything it'll just make me hate my own art more. I'm just not compatible with what it takes to do so, but I have respect for those that do, and those that are transparent about the work involved. Awesome video!

[@rubys_trinkets]

@@JackTheVulture Choosing to do art as a hobby instead of a career is super valid! Knowing what you want and what kind of work you can handle, and then making decisions based off that, is truly the kindest thing you can do for yourself. That’s really my goal with these videos: to give a full view of art business so artists can make informed decisions. Thank you for sharing your perspective!

[@thewanderingstarseed]

I came to the same conclusion myself! Just because my art is not seen, doesn’t make it any less special. Art feeds my soul and trying to make it anything else made me lose the magic of making it. I loathed the self promotion, filming/editing, and marketing.

[@Meimoons]

Well said!

[@rhymesandvibes]

this is so me

[@anacostco4684]

It’s interesting for me to see this being discussed now in the online art space because I’m a second gen artist. My mom is an oil Pinter and made a living off doing iconography, she now works in an art museum. And growing up she always instilled in my mind that art is a lot of work, artists hustle like no one else. There is very little glamour to the mess of paint, the little respect artists are awarded for their work. I’m glad I got that perspective young, it makes me feel better about my choice to be an artist. I work hard, I have a day job and go to art school. It’s not glamorous but it’s real and I love it!

[@anacostco4684]

I **just** want to be an artists I don’t want to be a ‘content creator’. I make art not content

[@KaterynaM_UA]

@@anacostco4684 you can. But you will need to work for the employer then and mostly draw things you are not particularly interested in.

[@webi6421]

Romanticism can go both ways. Like, can artists on this platform stop calling their side hustles "cozy businesses". How cozy can that tax form be?

[@rubys_trinkets]

@@webi6421 LOL yeahhh, I’ve been stressing over business licenses and bookkeeping lately and thought “damn, this isn’t very ‘cozy studio vlog’ of me.” I actually watched another KZbin video about “cozy side hustles” being an overcorrection of the “girlboss” era, although they weren’t talking about the art niche specifically. I think the entrepreneur TikTok is trying to capitalize on that wording. However, I do think that artists who use “cozy” a lot in their vlogs do that as more of a branding thing, like their art is cozy so they make cozy videos to go with it. Which I don’t think is a problem, since vlogs are made to entertain, but it can feel frustrating to artists who are trying to get a sense of this career. I do agree that “cozy” and “business” should never go together, that’s dishonest. But “cozy” and “vlog” I can understand, I just have to remind myself it’s just a fun video and not a reflection of reality

[@mute_ed984]

If you use it to start a campfire, it can actually be very cozy 😉

[@brooklyn5755]

😂😂

[@HibiscusStitch]

As a business nerd I love the end of year taxes. Husband and I grab a coffee and sit down doing numbers for a few hours. But the best feeling is when it’s over 😆

[@mf--]

cozy is likely their branding

[@xinyan3326]

oh if only this video is made so much more earlier.... this is so helpful and a great wake up call for all artist who started making art online. I spent my high school days during the ""haul"" era when art youtubers go to big art stores and spend mindlessly on supplies, (copics, w&n watercolors, mixed-media sketchbooks, you name it) or those instagram posts where they just put their copics aside of their artwork and those posts gets huge engagement. I was so hugely influenced that i thought if i have all of these brands i surely can be a better artist and have 10k instagram followers and get unlimited commissions to prove my asian household i can truly make it by making art. All of these gets struck down when I spend 3 years in art school and realizing my severe lack of the actual skill and not being my "room not aesthetic enough", "copics not being the full 72 colors B set", "not using a wacom cintiq 22 instead of a 16". It twisted my brain to be not an artist, but a art supply collector. To those who really want to do art out there, make sure that what makes you enjoy is the process of making the artwork yourself, not because someone on the internet tells you not to because its not the right paper.

[@dreamsanddaytime]

Same!!! I was also in high school back then and until I read your post, I totally forgot I had this feeling as well with the markers! I even bought some even though I don't even like using them?

[@j.hecht279]

I actually laughed out loud at your description of the intros to many of these videos: the well lit studio with plants, sipping coffee, making an ~aesthetic breakfast~. These shots can look great and really do invoke a sense of calm, especially when paired with a little bit of light jazz (typically by an uncredited musician) like they always seem to be, but it's certainly formulaic. I've also noticed lately that some long standing art channels don't post many videos about art anymore, the creation of it or the business aspects. Instead, it seems like there's been a big shift to focusing on what the artist is buying, and many videos now are essentially just product placement videos. Don't get me wrong, these have the potential to be very entertaining, but at such a high volume, it makes things feel even less authentic. Rather than someone sharing their experience as a creative worker, it feels like an advertisement for a very specific lifestyle.

[@marienettes]

I don't normally comment, but this is such a refreshing take, theres not enough thinkpieces, and there is too many tutorials on how to start art businesses. I love the overall messaging especially about creating an audience for artists rather than creating an audience for yourself. We tend to put ourselves in a box that we have difficulty having that reach / exposure to a wide range of audiences that will engage with our art. We as viewers need to critically think about the content we consume overtime, especially as artists who yearn to have a "succesful" career. Great video!❤

[@rubys_trinkets]

@@marienettes Thank you so much, and I really appreciate you sharing what you want to see more of in this community! I’ve been brainstorming what I want to do in the future, and I keep thinking of guides and tutorials, because they’re so common in this niche.. But I feel like these commentary videos are more true to who I am! I’m so glad that I’m reaching other artists who want to discuss these topics, hearing your perspectives makes me a better creator ❤️❤️

[@momob4276]

Love this video. I've been a full time artist for 9 years and my family relies on my income to pay the bills. Despite having the experience I'm too busy hustling to spin up an influencer channel because most of my time goes into my craft and when I am not doing art I need to de-stress with something that is not art. Maybe it's jealousy but I don't like those art vlogs where the artist's space is this perfect clean table, with everything all neatly organized and perfectly color coordinated, usually in pink. It feels uncanny to me. When I am cutting out stickers there is a mess everywhere. I don't have a color coordinated drawers crafting equipment I bought whatever was affordable at the time. There are cups and a few snacks at my desk because I'm too busy working late into the night to immediately put them away. Maybe those vlog artists are just that clean and organized, but my art space personally is not and I don't have the money to buy a ton of nice drawers to organize things. My current drawers are falling apart and I bought them years ago. Maybe artists are too embarrassed to show their messy studios or it genuinely doesn't make good videos because it's not an aesthetic to sell that romanticized life, but it would be more relatable to me personally.

[@madameberry]

Man I feel this. I can either have a functioning workspace, or an aesthetic one, and even then I can only maintain the aesthetic for 0.5 seconds before I make another doom pile. 🤣

[@melitaarts]

​@madameberry I hate to quickly cleanup my desk before a shot, but I can't deny youtube has teach me to be more tidy and conscious that mess slow my work flow, but recording myself also does the same...

[@CoolMagmar]

I suggest for you to look mangakas workspaces some are quite clean others chaotic, you need to focus what is better for you and what you can do at the time, I used for years my grandma china cabinet to store my stuff, nowadays I have a clear display cabinet, so I can always see what materials I have and they don't get dirty also put some stickers and trinkets to decorate it, and like even that is miles better to have a clean workspace many times we don't have the energy to it and you shouldn't feel bad for it

[@nicolecondor5337]

Personally my art space is chaos, I dk who would want to see that but if I ever made a channel I don’t think I’d go for the curated version either, it’s not relatable.

[@franchezvibritannia7320]

Can you show your craft?

[@Toribell1928]

This is so real. The last time I was upset about having chosen a non-art career for stability, I had a conversation with an artist who told me that she wished she had chosen something more stable and that being a full time artist gives her so much anxiety. It’s not to say one is better than the other but you’re always going to look at something with rose tinted glasses. I have a really tough job and people always think it’s easy and fun. I sometimes play into that stereotype to make it more enjoyable for myself. But it is far from reality.

[@rubys_trinkets]

@@Toribell1928 Rose tinted glasses is a great word for this!! And you’re exactly right, there’s ups and downs to every job, it’s easy to romanticize the other one when you’re not experiencing it. The grass is always greener on the other side

[@jenfries6417]

Every time the How I Art influencers on KZbin make me feel inadequate compared to their enticingly perfect workspaces and lifestyles, I look up photos of the studios of such actually famous artists as Alexander Calder and Joseph Cornell. I check out the absolute chaos in which Calder built his meticulously balanced mobiles, and the dank, drop-ceilinged garage in Queens, NY, full of repurposed cardboard boxes labeled in marker ("sea shells," "dressed mice," etc.) and loose Woolworth's bags full of stuff, where Cornell created transcendently dreamy assemblages and collages. Then I look at my studio, and I reflect that what's in an artist's studio is not as important as what comes out of it, and I feel better about my chances in life just as I am.

[@Mystick77721]

This! It’s not everyone of course but it’s strange how conformed being an artists has become. Perfect clean spaces, hoards of art supplies, massive consumption, the idea that you have to have the same tool or storage as everyone else to succeed…it’s nice to look at but in the end I never feel genuinely creative adhering to those things. It’s only when I just stop thinking and TRYING to be and instead just you know, be, that I feel good. My favorite artists are always eclectic, a bit messy, and unapologetically themselves

[@rinovarka]

Ngl straight up, this is THEE only good video ever that Ive seen on this topic. Nice use of memes, clear presentation, no fluff, no annoyingly snarky attitude nor overly touchy feelsy attitude, no music to swell one way or the other, just facts. Heavy ups for bringing up 1) artists marketing toward non artists vs other artists, 2) artists seeking mentorship in entertainment, 3) how artists audience members seem entitled to / expect people who post to make things that help them somehow. All of which Ive seen so many people go up in arms in different directions but simply put in this video. Also very heavy agree to littletinyeggs comment... I know people who make a living on art, and just post their art and their sales, or not all all, and they dont need / want to make vlogs, talk it in detail, or create rELatAbLe cOnTenT. I understand for many such as myself, my best touch in "the art community" is what I see online, but its always important to remember whats online isnt reflective of whats out there. Everyone's art journey is truely different, as sooo much goes into factor how a artist sees their art and their business, as well as how and where their audience is! I feel like the more I know the more I know that I dont know, ahah.

[@rubys_trinkets]

@@rinovarka I really appreciate that, thank you :,) I tried my best to be informative, respectful, and entertaining, I’m glad to hear that was coming through! And you’re exactly right, there are so many ways to go about art business, but we don’t get to SEE it all, since a lot of it is done away from social media! There’s always more than what we’re seeing on our screens

[@wonder_gal]

THANK YOU FOR TALKING ABOUT THIS! Just like many other people, I’m extremely interested in being a “self employed artist”. Your video came at a perfect time, since I’m coming up at the age where I REALLY need to start taking job ideas seriously and truly do something for myself. Oddly enough, the business aspect of art really intrigues me. It’s boring annoying work- but I want to answer emails from clients and track everything in a spread sheet. It’s incredibly easy to fall into the trap of romanticizing art business, and then being incredibly turned off by the work that needs to be done! So thank you for providing MUCH needed information on this topic.

[@autumny2762]

I'm a full-time artist myself, although still a newbie. I knew everything you were saying about the business being like an iceberg, there's so much more that we don't show. And yet, I still found myself comparing to other more aesthetic artists. Thinking- maybe I've been doing something wrong? How do they seem so carefree? This helped me see the truth- everyone is the same. They don't have less tasks than me, just one of their tasks was "stage aesthetic vlog."

[@melitaarts]

Totally, sales freak me out, hate to admit marketing and business are equally important as art itself 😢

[@TheStrangeConnectorArt]

Thank you for this! I have been an artist for years, juggling a part-time job outside of art to make ends meet (that’s where most of my income comes from and I *still* earn very little because I spend so much of my time making art), and I felt really frustrated when I first saw how art-making is portrayed on KZbin. It reminds me a lot of my school experience (I studied a form of contemporary art, though not as a visual artist), where we were mainly shown just one unrealistic way to "make it" in the art world (get “serious” gallery representation, in essence). This limited view was not just tough on us but also on our teachers, many of whom made their livings through academia. However, I also find refreshing aspects to KZbin. I love how everyone freely calls themselves an artist at every level, which is not always the case in the traditional art world-I've met people with PhDs in art fields who still feel uneasy about that label for themselves! On the downside, there are many people on KZbin who present themselves as experts on topics they don’t fully understand (not always deliberately - it can just be by omission), which can lead to misinformation. For example, I saw a video where someone dismissed a medium as a “novelty item,” not realising it was intended for larger projects, not just small sketchbooks that fit in a KZbin video frame. Also, parenthetically, the art one sees on KZbin is limited by the format of the platform, so a lot of media and types of practice will often not be shown, as filming these would be difficult or expensive for small creators, skewing the perception of what art is and can be. I recently started my own channel and I'm taking things slowly, not really using it for marketing. I'm not showing my face or all my practice because I feel uncomfortable with “putting myself out there.” It's also a safety concern, and I want the freedom to try out new techniques and media as a beginner without the pressure of the rest of my (more professional) work being branded as “amateurial”, or “unfocused” as a result. Artists are often expected to share themselves publicly in a way that others aren't. It's okay to be in the spotlight if you're successful and have the means to handle a lot of feedback, identity theft, or even harassment. But as a small creator, we don't have that kind of celebrity support. Your insights are really thoughtful and resonate with a lot of our shared frustrations. I have a complicated relationship with marketing, which is why I've sought other ways to stay afloat; I'm currently retraining for a career in an art-related field (my current part time work is not). I am multidisciplinary (thanks late ADHD diagnosis!), and I find it challenging to present one clear identity as a "thing" everyone can immediately recognise - it's just not who my core is. While there's a strong, constant theme running through absolutely all of my work, it’s not always immediately obvious, so it doesn't fit neatly into a package - nor do I really want it to if I am honest. I also enjoy experimenting with new techniques, even though starting as a beginner again can be pretty daunting. I wish more artists shared their processes, but this is often held back, especially among certain artists (contemporary artists hardly ever share any of their process - you do not see artists posting time-lapse videos etc). That's one aspect I appreciate about KZbin, seeing people show their creative steps, but I’ve also noticed some uncredited borrowing of ideas (this can also be innocent or just coincidental though, and I do not think people should be crucified for it - it’s just something I noticed), which is a downside. Anyway, there’s so much more I could say, and I might not be the best person to express it all, but you seem to be! I’m looking forward to more of your videos, and by the way, your painting is absolutely wonderful. I'm really intrigued by your process!

[@TheStrangeConnectorArt]

PS - to anyone reading this, I recommend @artprof. It's the very best art KZbin channel out there. They are truly a gem - they cover all aspects of visual art making (from animation and comics to sculpture and printmaking) in a very realistic and transparent way (even down to explaining editing trickery in their video shorts!). They also portray workspaces and business aspects of art making that most of us who practice outside KZbin can readily recognise as very authentic. Sometimes I get all teary-eyed about to as I cannot believe the generosity of that channel!!

[@TheStrangeConnectorArt]

I also love how nerdy people can get about art materials on here. I think a lot of people start channels as a way to find kindred souls who enjoy art-supply info-dumping. I know I do, hahaha

[@PasCorrect]

@@TheStrangeConnectorArt "Also, parenthetically, the art one sees on KZbin is limited by the format of the platform, so a lot of media and types of practice will often not be shown" -- absolutely. If you consume a lot of KZbin "day in the life" art vlogs, you can get the impression that only a few types of art exist: all 2D, all small, lots of gouache/watercolour and alcohol markers, and many so-called "sketchbooks" full of perfect finished pieces. It also affects the style and subject a lot. Things tend to be illustrative, cute and happy. This is what people want to see in their feed, and what they want to buy, so it makes sense! But it means you will never see an art vlogger preparing a show about North Korea or their mom's fight with Parkinson's disease.

[@19Mikeys_Block90]

This video is 10/10, it’s that brutally honest conversation or truth that needs to be discussed. Great eye opener and a healthy dose of truth, it’s done very well. Especially for the business side

[@rubys_trinkets]

@@19Mikeys_Block90 Thank you! That’s exactly what I’m aiming for, I don’t want to be discouraging or overly negative. But I think it’s important to have these honest conversations so we can be realistic and kind with ourselves

[@labdian]

I am absolutely not an artist and not even interested in becoming one. However, I loved the video, since it brought attention to the tendency to idealize any one profession or trade. I'm a psychologist, and I often hear how nice it must be to get paid for just listening to people. I loved how you raised the topic of the whole business side, dealing with planning, taxes, rent, expenses and everything else that comes with having a small business like a private practice or an art studio. It involves a whole lot of cleaning, tidying, writing invoices, paying bills, and the constant stress about the seasonality or instability of income.

[@rubys_trinkets]

I love that you found this applicable outside of the art space!! I always view things from within the art community since that’s my area of expertise, but I think a lot of my topics are widely relatable. The grass always seems greener on the other side, especially when it comes to careers, but there’s so much going on behind the scenes that we don’t see!

[@DominikatOxO]

You are right! I wasn't aware of my burnout from social media (especially Instagram...) I'm always being pressured for not starting my online store, not having the engagement I need, and watching everyone else's "glamorous lives" and sometimes wondering if I'm choosing the wrong path. I always try to stay calm and just do my work (I only do commissions for now). But now I'm trying to follow your advice -w-, I know I have the skills, now I need the other 2 parts:

[@Shaes_Projects]

I totally feel the same way. I see other artists and their successful shops, posts with hundreds of likes, and how many people love their work. It can be exhausting to try and emulate that. It’s because of this, among other reasons, that I chose to leave both twitter and instagram. It’s just too much comparison, too much headache to try and beat an algorithm. I run a print shop that doesn’t sell much and hope to expand to Etsy, putting my art on notebook covers, but it’s so rare to be able to live comfortably off of your art income. The cost of production, packaging, and shipping alone can be incredibly daunting. It’s one of the reasons I’m more than happy I studied being a paralegal in community college for a very stable salaried income. I can still enjoy my painting on the side.

[@shannasisak]

Omg I could write a book about my thoughts on this topic. I love the way you talked about all of it. One of the main realizations I eventually came to in my own journey is that it is very dangerous to make assumptions about how “successful” an artist is based on followers, views, etc. I think it’s easy to see big numbers and think someone has “made it”. Only to learn that they aren’t even making a part time income. We never really know what goes on behind the scenes for those running an “art business”. I suspect that it’s not at all as glamorous as it seems. All of this helped me realize that for myself, having an art business is 100% something I do NOT want to do. It took me a long time to get to that point because of, well, everything you talked about…..

[@rubys_trinkets]

@@shannasisak You’re exactly right, the idea of “making it” can lead to seeing this career through rose-tinted glasses and putting ourselves down in the process. And your suspicion is correct, art business is not glamorous! There are of course benefits to it, like self-employment, flexibility, and making your passion and art the center of your career. But the drawbacks and abundant as well, a big one being a lack of stability in income as you said. It’s very valid to not want to do art business, and it’s a great thing to understand your wants and needs and prioritize that!

[@butterberrydolls]

Keep in mind that also these people who make these cozy art business vlogs and videos make majority of their money from youtube from people watching these videos and not from their art. Their main business is actually content creation and art is like a side hustle at this point. They make most of their money giving you tips on how to be successful. Im not claiming that this is not a valid way to make money as an artist or to live as a creative, I am just reminding you guys that they are not perfect either. A lot of these artists rely on things like aesthetics and pretty privilege for their videos and art business to work out for them. Reality is not very marketable so a lot of artist choose to hide it since we all have to survive somehow. Im dropping this here as a full time artist no hate love yall let keep it real ❤️

[@katec9893]

This is similar to what I was going to comment too. Unfortunately this is where it becomes a bit like an MLM - People selling the dream of how to become a successful artist when in fact they themselves are making money from people watching their videos. It's the same with people who sell online courses of how to become successful when the course creator's main income comes from selling courses. It's like a dystopian merry-go-round that nobody needs to be on, but it can be difficult to realise that you are on the Merry-Go-Round because the people selling it can be incredibly convincing. I'm really glad that people are talking about this now because there has been such a lack of honesty about this sort of thing on the internet over the last 15 years.

[@rubys_trinkets]

I agree, and that’s something I’m trying to be super mindful of. KZbin ad money has been a huge help to my art business, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with making money from entertaining/educational content, but I think using the popularity of “how to be successful” walks a dangerous line, one that I don’t want to cross. The artists that I love to support are the ones who have an art shop/do markets, and then make vlogs and fun videos about it, or share how they work with certain materials and mediums. I think this ads to our community the most. I’ve seen these kinds of artists go on to post a “how I do art business” video, and those are great because it gives us their experience and insight AFTER they’ve found success in art business. These usually end up being their most popular video, so I really appreciate when an artist goes back to their art and vlog content rather than capitalizing on the gold mine that is selling hope and “how to be successful” videos. Examples of these artists are tinylittleegg, paloma the peach, and bri forcier. “Reality is not Marketable” is so true, and it’s kind of a two headed snake. It means that these popular art videos won’t be realistic for viewers, causing romanticizing. But it also means realistic videos won’t be viewed by this audience, and in turn won’t support the creator who made it AND won’t be pushed out to a wider audience. So it becomes a cycle that neither the creator or viewer can escape. I don’t think art vlogs shouldn’t exist, and I don’t think the full blame can be out on either the creator or viewer. Creators should be mindful of their audience and not exploit them, and the audience should be aware of romanticizing, consume this content responsibly, and seek out videos that align with their morals. I’m hoping to address these issues from both perspectives, since I’m both a consumer of art content and a creator.

[@rubys_trinkets]

⁠@@katec9893You are absolutely correct about all of that. It’s not an MLM by definition, but the idea of sell the “blueprints of success” does not sit right with me at all. And it’s a real shame too, because sharing advice, experience, and resources has always been a huge part of the art community. It seems a lot of people are becoming aware of this merry-go-round, so maybe one day we’ll get to a point where they’re less prominent in the art community

[@harnasyrinafiqah]

Thank you for the video

[@moegirl76]

As a Gen-xer I will tell you people definitely compared themselves to people on tv. Absolutely we did. And in magazines. Comparison happens everywhere. No one ever sees the full picture of another person even when they're standing right in front of them and that person is telling them the truth. Cognitive bias will always be present.

[@rubys_trinkets]

Yes you’re right that comparison is everywhere! I guess I meant more as in comparing ourselves to the jobs of people on TV, like we don’t think “I could have my own talk show.” But we do often think “I could have my own KZbin channel,” because that feels a lot more achievable. But cognitive bias truly is everywhere as you said, we compare ourselves in a lot of different ways

[@sarahmeetspixel]

This is such an amazing representation that is needed right now in the community. Having an art business causes alot of anxiety and to be honest it’s not as stable as it seems because of these “aesthetic videos.” The best decision I made recently was to take some time away from my art business and go back to a part-time designer role at a small company. I have less anxiety and feel more financially stable now.

[@cloudgoose]

thank you for this. you’re a super clear communicator and have a real talent for explaining. this is a reality check/reminder I definitely needed as a creative! it’s helpful not just for thinking about other artists, but also myself, in that I don’t even notice how much work goes into my creative output.

[@rubys_trinkets]

@@cloudgoose I really appreciate that, my main goal is always to explain things clearly and I’m so glad that’s coming through 🥹❤️ And I agree!! Keeping our romanticization in check helps us with how we view both other artists and ourselves. So we don't put them on a pedestal while putting ourselves down.

[@madameberry]

I think this might genuinely be one of the most well-constructed and important commentary videos within the art business community I've seen recently. I've definitely fallen into the trap of comparison, and one of the reasons I've been posting fewer videos myself is that I frankly find a lot of what I do boring and not worth filming ("it's all data entry?" "always has been"). But of course, artists wouldn't want to film and post themselves answering emails or updating inventory or doing accounting tasks, because why would anyone want to watch that, so it just becomes a feedback loop.

[@grildrago]

Data entry is real. When I post a video on TikTok and learn more about their algorithm. It became less exciting to do video just because it isn't organic. I have to play their rules in order to be seen. Not to mention my video life span is only 24 whole focking hours. So I stopped posting there and back to start again.

[@majoliCATart]

Finally, someone peeled back the cozy blanket of studio vlogs to show the chaos underneath! 👀 It’s so refreshing to hear, I closed my small business a few months ago, because I was constantly under pressure to earn enough to just pay for all the monthly expenses. And just keeping a spread sheet of all of that is A LOT. Let alone all of the other stuff, I have a film background so I thought I'd enjoy the video aspects, but I just felt so overwhelmed with everything that it wasn't fun and ultimately I wasn't happy with the end product. The part of your video where you said this is the boring part was so smart and informative (even tho I have been doing it for years) that as soon as I'm done typing this, I'll go and rewatch it. Thanks for keeping it honest while still encouraging creativity

[@wradraws]

Honestly yeah, artists get a more "glamorized" life because of what they post but art as a business is hard AF. As someone who published a comic a few years back, the amount of effort, time, and dedication that you have to put in for that art to be successful actively took a toll on my mental health and ambition and I still failed at it because I set myself up for failure because I didn't know how much you actually had to do. At the time no one talked about how serious you have to be and what it takes to be successful nor the scale or multiple goals that you should shoot for. I'm still dealing with the effects of it and am starting to tread into the waters again by stepping back into my old businesses with some projects and experience under my belt. Dabbling in the artist sphere is hard and getting a day job helps you to not be the trope of the "starving artist", but you then have to balance work, work(art), and life. It's hard af and not for the faint of heart but when I start releasing my art again It's going to be from a seasoned hand. I was disenfranchised by becoming a full time artist with no one to guide me but having learned first hand what the ropes are, it won't be as bad this time around and I plan on actually talking about the real shi!

[@canoinn2274]

I haven't ever seen someone discuss this before, thank you!

[@jKurnas]

It's hard work and little pay. I make about...5k a year on art? I'm redirecting after so many years of doing digital art into traditional art and galleries. It's HARD. But I'm learning that the more places I can get my work into and manage that inventory while also making PRINTS is the key right now. In America, we are in a print economy. Print on mugs, totes, bookmarks, etc. Print, print, print. Not many can afford originals right now and many galleries are going out of business because that was their business strategy. This is what I've learned.

[@KaterynaM_UA]

Many of my art friends make that in a month and we live in Ukraine were it goes 10 times further. But it's all studio work. Fulltime in the office, drawing mobile games. No one really wants to be "that" kind of trade artist.

[@janaeanon]

this was such an insightful video. the other day I caught myself wanting to ask an artist I admire how they got to the point they’re at. after some struggle with optimism, I thought about the question’s impact and decided against it. it must be an incredible milestone for your art to impress so much that your audience asks for tips, but I agree with your point about forced mentorship. I just figured it would be unfair if I used their post/platform for my own selfish needs. it’d be different if we were acquaintances or colleagues, the question could be an opportunity for productive feedback and information exchange. but I’d feel bewildered if a stranger decided to pry into my background when all I want is to express myself in the way I deem appropriate. I notice audiences (myself included) can display entitlement. we want to know everything about a person that inspires us, so we can emulate or replicate their success. I believe real growth requires introspection of our goals and values, willingness to pivot, along with constructive criticism of your progress. everyone’s journey is their own. artists are people, and most humans deserve respect and to be treated with dignity. each person has a unique connection to the experience that shapes their perspective. thank you for sharing yours! I agree, dialogue is how we change narratives that no longer work. well said! OAN: your artwork turned out gorgeously. i love how you rendered the grass, and the focal point of the fawn and wolf is so thought-provoking. it was satisfying seeing your process, you have a great understanding of painting and color!

[@LutinKarau]

The FOMO is my worst ennemy 😢 This video is sweet to listen to

[@rubys_trinkets]

@@LutinKarau I feel you, FOMO is hard, and it’s everywhere with social media :( But being aware of it is a good sign!! ❤️

[@pyradragon]

The Deer painting is so pretty. Literally trust in the process when I was watching. I avoided some of those 'How I make 10k a month as an Artist' videos coz i knew it was too good to be true (making more money from art than sponsors or coaching) and u hit the nail on the head in my case. i also didnt wanna watch these videos coz they would make me feel bad for Missing out on making money in the way that they do or from what they claim. A cozy , aesthetic life making art and merch ..... but its not that simple. The coaching or selling classes was the worst aspect I took from Morgs video that starteed this whole discussion. Like, yh, why should I pay someone to give me a portfolio review or how to make it as an artist when They haven't (in my own vision of what i think is a successful artist- see above brackets)

[@feliciarimrod]

really interesting video and points! as someone who did romanticize at first and has now taken the plunge to market and build my art business, I felt a bit of anxiety for the first part of the video 😅 like oh no, this is the path I've chosen, am I not prepared enough? but as you kept on talking I realized that I knew the amount of work and roles I was getting into & felt more confident about my decision. I really appreciate artist who are transparent about burn out and all the work they have to do. the cozy art vlogs - which are the videos I make - do romanticize, but I also think it helps me romanticize my work as well. yes I'm realizing this is a lot of work, but when I sit down to edit and watch what I've done there's pride and it motivates me to continue. so it's a tricky subject; both bad and good. I think we need to find a healthy balance of romanticizing so we can still enjoy what we are doing, but also be realistic that it's not all art and rainbows.

[@AyeshaShaSha]

This video is worth every single view it gets. I absolutely love the way you addressed everything, and personally validated my current feelings. You are VERY easy to listen to, and your art is a joy to watch come together. Found you by accident but very happy I did! ❤

[@rubys_trinkets]

@@AyeshaShaSha I appreciate that a lot! ❤️ I’m glad it was validating, that was a big goal of this video. I want artists to be kind to themselves, and I think addressing these issues and being conscious consumers helps!

[@AyeshaShaSha]

@rubys_trinkets it was very validating, thanks so much. I've been watching your other content too, you're a very easy watch and listen! Thanks for sharing!

[@cinderblockstudios]

"Why would anyone choose to film the boring messy parts of their life" Hahaha, me. That's what I do. XD That said I think a lot of "fixing romanticizing" is about maturity. Being a teen or early 20 something creator comes with a unique lack of life experience.

[@Amanecer458]

I think also people act like drawing and painting as an special gift rather than a discipline that requieres study and practice

[@ammyfatxolotl]

I got annoyed with the "aesthetic art business" type creators because they act like they're a small little artist but they're rolling in money and privilege. I've been living alone off of my art full time for about 3 years now not by choice. I used to like the videos you described but it just got annoying. Anyways I'm burnt out as hell from art because living off of it is incredibly hard unless you come from a place of privilege.

[@trevorfranks69]

What do you wanna do now?

[@uninspired4ever]

Three years full time for me too and I feel the same way I just barely survive off my art and while I’m eternally grateful for the support it’s just not as glamorous as these influencers make it seem

[@isabelledionneartiste]

Your analysis of the art business is great, thank you!

[@rubys_trinkets]

@@isabelledionneartiste Thank you! I’m glad it was helpful ❤️

[@Springborn41]

This is a very informative video and I would suggest anyone who wants to go into business for themselves to watch. I'm 35 and I found this very helpful and it broaden my understanding of what comes with this job. Thank you for posting this

[@STASIS_02]

A very insightful video! Nowadays, I can acknowledge what is most likely real and what isn’t when I watch these types of videos, and honestly just any video on the internet. I still enjoy watching studio vlogs despite everything, but it’s not a reflection of reality for the artist. They have a lot going on when the camera is turned off. And that’s something every artist needs to understand when watching this content. Perhaps that's what Morgue's initial video was trying to get at, even though I still have some issues with it and the comments that came after.

[@rubys_trinkets]

@@STASIS_02 I’m glad to hear you can enjoy watching studio vlogs while staying rooted in reality!! It sounds like awareness helps us engage with this content in a healthy way

[@adorkablestudio]

I really enjoy that you are creating art while providing informative information. I have thought about creating videos like this, but not sure how it would be received. I agree that I also watch other artists' videos for insights and learning new things. Yet, I still feel stuck and not entirely sure how to move forward. I think I have figured out what I want to do as an artist but I do not know how it will progress, whether I would make it in the end. I understand the whole concept of "if you don't start, it'll never happen". Much easier said then done. That's why I'm stuck. It's also no fun to receive so little support from the people around you. I can see it's a mindset thing. Thank you so much for this video and for sharing!

[@quatrodraws4017]

I wish I had this video when I was bright-eyed and 20, starting my art Instagram for the first time with big dreams of a KZbin channel. I wasn't blind to the taxes and bookkeeping aspects of it, but I was definitely romanticizing way too much and automatically naturally took on the role of role model instead of just artist from the younger artists I connected with in the community through challenges and collaborations. It was beautiful while it lasted, but the dream quickly became sour and turned me off to social media pretty much as a whole and give up on my dream because I wasn't seeing success and it broke me. Really feel for that 20 year old as I slowly learn to be kinder to myself, that it wasn't my art that was the problem but the way I went about things and algo's, stuff I can't control at all

[@molfa.soleil72]

Thank you for such an awesome video. Highly appreciated, as I tend to romanticize art life, and quite often feel FOMO. But I recently started to look for answers to how to combine my work life and art and found your video. It, honestly, helps me a lot.🤗

[@Pixiewithpens]

YES. if i remember when i have more energy for a thoughtful comment i'll come back with actual thoughts, but for now: yes. thank you

[@dismalrain]

I dream of being as organized of a creator as you are one day. Creator goals.

[@corpsxbunny]

I like it when creators that do have art business show and talk about the less glamorous and harder parts of having an art business especially as i would like to have a small business with my aet one day✨

[@PotterytothePeople]

this was spot on! I am constantly tell people to keep their day job 😅 My videos feature only me in the studio, but I’m only there 25% of my work day. Good filmmaking is telling a good story, with beautiful visuals, and making it all look effortless. I think we cant help but romanticize. I do it too even though I have seen behind the looking glass!

[@moodysmultiverse]

Thank you for this very thoughtful essay. I just started making videos, and working on my business plan and stuff and have been thinking a lot about how I want to present myself as an artist and writer and how to be responsible as someone with a platform, however small that platform may be.

[@Hirosart]

When I share stories about customer scams and real BTS life of being a smallbusiness owner, I’m afraid that people never watch 😢

[@hifry424]

Thank you for that topic! We love an educated queen! And thank you for bringing biases into the mix, because I feel like not enough people even know what it is, while biases pretty much define our whole perception of life

[@PinkWytchBytch]

Oh lord, this is all so accurate. When I started getting ready to build a career out of my art, I had absolutely no idea what it would actually be like, and it took a small toll on me when I was disillusioned to the true work aspect of this being a job. Even if I’ve only done a handful of paid commissions, it really put into perspective “Ok wow, you don’t just paint what YOU like and someone comes along and wants to buy it. Wait what there’s LEGALITIES!? TAXES!?” It blew my mind when I actually got my foot in the door at what the inside of the art business is at it’s realest

[@lairisyapping]

I plan to start my art buisness soon and want to vlog it on my art channel But the appeal of it for me was always showing the fun parts (creating designs) but also vlogging the stressful and unseen parts Like stressing over logistics, talking about dealing with taxes and all the not so cozy parts of it I’ve always been interested in every aspect The cozy and non cozy parts of it 😅

[@justalittlebawn]

Thank you, this actually made me reconsider how I want to approach sharing my art online. It's one thing to know you're not seeing the whole picture, but it's another to hear what the rest of the picture can look like. I like to think about how the content itself is just as much art as the painting you see in the video. I know that a wolf and fawn would not have a cute mystical moment irl, but I can appreciate the narrative, symbolism, and style of your painting without using it as a reference for real life. In the same way, people edit their videos to create a story that is just as stylized and mythical as a painting.

[@rubys_trinkets]

That’s such a great analogy, I love it!! That’s exactly what I was getting at: we can appreciate the videography, editing, and entertainment of a studio vlog knowing it isn’t an exact reflection of reality. So cool how you related it to my painting!

[@LiobaBrueckner]

Your painting is so pretty! 🥹 (and I agree with your view totally!)

[@ghostie7790]

Yes you nailed it. And that is a perfect venn diagram explaining nuance!!

[@dxmxrxsbxxckthxwxxdxlf3931]

I work part-time as a cleaner, and thanks to the extra time that I have, I can focus on drawing, sewing, and all the other hobbies from which I can make money. Since I tend to take a lot of things literally, knowing what is realistic can be hard because of the many success stories that we have. Listening to people who give it to me straight helps to set my expectations at a reasonable level to build confidence in my skills and to have fun.

[@rubys_trinkets]

It’s great to hear your job helps you focus on your art! And that’s exactly my goal, I want to remind artists that we need to have realistic expectations so we don’t get down on ourselves for not reaching a level of “success” that was more of a dream in the first place. Doing art full-time does not have to be the goal!

[@normapadro420]

What I learned along the way was this. I never wanted to be like anyone else. I just enjoy creating, and doing things. I don't have any set goals at all.

[@KaterynaM_UA]

I've been trying to explain to aspiring artists for YEARS that niche "social media art creators" are such a small percentage of professional artist they don't make for one percent and real art job looks nothing like that. No one wants to hear it. They long for the pretty vision even at expense of their own paychecks and inevitable burnout. It's a canon event. Also the one that will make most artists drop drawing entirely eventually.

[@purpelicious]

no yea because i once overthink the production side of just the content for the business that i ended up not having time to actually do the critical work and get to enjoy what i do: the art itself, the marketing or self-marketing/content marketing is tough and shouldnt be understated, unless you’re well verse and had experience, going in blind and risk burning out from trying to wear 3-5-10 hats at a time is not for every aspiring artists that wish to be their own business owner 😢 if you wish to do both the content and the art, you have to come to terms with the things that makes a content creator a job, it is a job, a performance art of a sort, it’s brutal and its not as pretty as people make it seem i’m so glad this video found me bc ive been thinking the same thing (im not even there yet in terms of producing studio vlogs, mine is a big mess.. like most artists, and filming + editing takes up so much) focusing on the artworks itself it is, for now, cant wait to finish the video (im so invigorated on the topic i have to leave a comment 1st lol)

[@GrimKozlowski]

Thank you for this video. It's a really important one. I opened my online shop a year ago and, clearly, I had no idea about the amount of work it will ask from me. It's insane. I was naive and thought it was just about drawing and selling my stuff ahah. Huge mistake. Welcome burn out. I've felt so bad for months thinking that I was the problem but I finally understood that the reality is just more complicated than what you can see in videos and social media. I lost the joy of drawing and creating because of the stress and the pressure. Now I'm closing my online shop to try to recover and I can't help but feel like a failure even if I know that's not true. I hope I'll feel better in the future but I'm not sure if I will reopen my shop, I don't know if I ever will be ready to handle all the things needed to run a business. I'll see...

[@rubys_trinkets]

Thank you for sharing, you’re definitely not alone in that experience! I’ve heard too many artists say their art shop flopped and it made them feel like a failure. It’s absolutely not as easy as it may seem based on the popularity of art vlogs and starting an art shop videos. That was something I took to heart before starting my journey, I know that my art shop is not going to do anything if I don’t have an audience first, which is why my focus is KZbin. And I know that I shouldn’t expect all, or even most, of my income from art sales. It’s a harsh truth but I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t willing to lean into business and content creation. Being able to handle the business aspect is definitely an important thing in this field. And there’s nothing wrong with deciding it’s not what you want to do! There isn’t one way of being an artist, everyone who has a passion to create is an artist, whether it’s part-time, full-time, or just in your free time. I hope this awareness can help artists make informed decisions, set realistic expectations, and be kind to themselves ❤️

[@KaysFantasy]

I do this, too, with both sewing and crafting from clay to resin.

[@letterandtell]

I can not express how important it is to understand for the new artists specially those who start out using any creative practice as a creative outlet. I did just that and I loved how you expressed it as an outside-in approach. But as I tried to make the business side work, I struggled with all things business. It was the extra stuff- the calls, generating leads etc. that would feel tiring. Only after getting a corporate job did I understand that it was business, sales, and marketing and my creative joyful work was just a service. I wish somebody realizes this very early on to save their time and not be disappointed.

[@sulfurfox8644]

1:29 artist in my early 20s: Struggling with depression, eats twice a day (cause time isn't a concept when you have ADHD), art station is a mess, has *GASP* work to do outside of art! two furbabies to care for and a house to keep clean. my day is not relaxing and usually I art around 4pm to 8pm

[@babyhughie974]

I guess it all depends i how you look at it if youre filled with peace and joy no matter how much youre struggling youll be happy-

[@candiirabbit]

honestly yes. I think it definitely is a big part why we had so many crafting and art businesses pop up in the past couple of years. People made it seem so fun and easy kinda like a get rich quick scheme cause OH WOW YOU'RE MAKING ART AND ART IS SO FUN. But for real, just because you like making art doesn't mean you will like doing it as a business OR that you are capable of it (because it takes so much more than just drawing a picture or printing some stickers). In fact for some people, they should probably keep their passions and hobbies away from business since it can ruin it for some and take the joy out of it. There are also a lot of kids jumping into it and throwing a lot of money away because they really just needed to wait a few years to hone their skills and end up feeling like crap because they didn't sell stuff and think about giving up art because of it. A lot don't realize that artists either work multiple jobs, or have family/spouse that helps with expenses. A small amount actually live off their art primarily.

[@rubys_trinkets]

This is all very true! Having art that will sell is one thing, being able to sell it through marketing and business is another. I think the reason why it’s popping up everywhere is because social media and content creation has become part of the job for both marketing and making money from ads. And there’s a huge demand, because people love to watch the lives of others as entertainment. We just need to remind ourselves that what we’re watching isn’t a reflection of their reality (since it’s filmed and edited) and we should NOT see it as a blueprint to follow. I think that’s what happens with art vlogs: artists watch it and think hey, I do art, and I have a KZbin account, I can do that. We need to treat it as the entertainment it is; I watch videos about living on an off grid farm, because I think it’s fun to watch and part of me does want that life. But I know that it’s way harder than a yt video makes it seem, and it’s unrealistic for me. We need to be critical about what we watch, art business is no different even though it feels more attainable. Especially younger artists as you said. They should know that art business is an option, but not that it’s the easiest/funnest as videos can make it seem. And very true, so many artists have other jobs. I personally plan on relying on my partner as well, for stable income, insurance, and things like mortgage applications. All the things that are more complicated when you’re self-employed. Doing art business alone as your only source of income is extremely hard and risky, that should be talked about way more

[@KindSparkdev]

Such an amazing video. Happy to be a part of your algorithim. I usually use this channel to watch game development videos and I feel like it too has this issue.

[@rubys_trinkets]

@@KindSparkdev I appreciate that, thank you!! ❤️ and that’s interesting that you noticed it in game dev videos. I think romanticizing may be an issue in most online spaces since the comparison cycle really drives views

[@valeriecatanzaro_art]

The Art Community clearly needs to hear this. We all are romanticizing the artist lifestyle at least to some extent. And at the same time, many of us are aware there's a problem with this fake/twisted version of reality that's being marketed to us - and that each of us probably is at least a bit responsible for also.

[@rubys_trinkets]

This is very well said! It’s the responsibility of everyone involved to build the community we want to see. Both creators and viewers need to be aware of romanticizing and idealizing so we can create better content and support the artists who do so!

[@susannal]

Overconsumption is definitely a big problem with these types of videos. Don't get me started with haul videos for more and more of art supplies with full of "wish i had that much money" type of comments on them when uploader already has so much stuff already.

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

👌 another excellent analysis! Love your commentary on these issues!

[@rubys_trinkets]

@@AnnaBucciarelli I appreciate that, thank you! ❤️

[@Sydiee]

I went to art school and I on purpose took business type electives, but I always thought business/legal classes should be required for art students. Even a math/economics class would have been so helpful!

[@rubys_trinkets]

You’re so right, business, economics, and law classes should be mandatory in art school. I actually did have one mandatory math course in my studies! I think those subjects should be mandatory because I had a speaker come to my art school to talk about art and business (of course I went,) and he said around 85% of art grads become self-employed. So my question is, why did I learn absolutely nothing about self-employment if it was my most likely path??

[@spyrit-ji2sk]

I started watching this just to get some input on if my business idea would even work. I’ve learned that it probably would, mostly cause all three parts of an art business are hobbies in a sort to me. I have a passion for business management and marketing, heck, I’m in a club for it in my school. And art is definitely a hobby of mine, any form of art I love. So I guess my passion for these things kinda makes it more likely for me to succeed.

[@rubys_trinkets]

@@spyrit-ji2sk I’m glad to hear the information helped! It’s definitely a big advantage to have knowledge/passion in business and marketing prior to entering art business, it can put you on the right path and give you a head start. I had to learn all of it from scratch, which is possible, but takes a long time. I always wish that I took business or marketing classes while I was in university for Fine Arts, but I didn’t know this is what I’d be doing. So being in a club for it is great!! ❤️

[@spyrit-ji2sk]

@ thank you so much for the support! It makes me happy to hear that from you. Also, while business is hard and hindsight is 20/20 we can’t fix the past, just move forward and learn whatever you need now for your passions to work out! Business and marketing are two aspects of life that are always changing so I give you the best of luck in keeping up with its evolution!

[@HannahHollow-q3p]

This is a fantastic video and I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts and perspective ❤

[@foogiegoogie8400]

I think the current problem is not romanticizing, but idealizing. R. something is accepting this something with flaws, accepting its downs and ups, I. is ignoring it.

[@moonmysticcottage]

This is excellent. You hit the nail on the head!

[@fetanuki]

gold content, first 1 minute of the video is already fruitful, subbed!

[@qillalaland]

I think the rise of art business is due to the mass layoffs happening worldwide, including in my country. People who've been doing art as a hobby or side hustle are getting laid off, and then began trying to pursue art full-time, bcs it was a now-or-never moment, and all the artist vlogs/content makes it seem like it wouldn't be too hard to do. The problem is, the art business/market has become over-saturated. It's hard to stand out, especially for newer artists. Both vending online and offline have their own downside, and it'll take a while (like a year, or maybe 2) to profit from your art. I once aspired to be one, but then I realized how hard it is to start an art business in a very short timeline. And having said that, I learned some useful stuff during the 8 months of my "trials", and now I can do art more mindfully on the side while getting back to work as a graphic designer. In conclusion, if it's the art business you're after, keep doing it on the side, and once you finally reach the point of not needing to depend on your main job, you can fully invest yourself in it.

[@akiraohalloran]

I like your painting! I kept thinking of the "What the dowg doing?" meme when looking at the wolf X3

[@drinkbooks]

Awesome video! It is something we need to care about and it doesn't just apply to artists and the Art Community. It applies to all internet media consumption. We, the viewers, MUST hold ourselves accountable for how we choose to consume content. If I ever choose to enter this space as a creator, this video is going up as a link somewhere, along with disclaimers and a clear explanation of what the channel is about and what it isn't. All the content people want is out there and we need to stop expecting everything from just one creator. Maybe the communities could get together and form link trees that provide a range of content that highlights what viewers want to see and know about. It would also serve as minor marketing, driving viewers to each other's spaces so that people have the best chance at seeing what they need at any given time. Also... thank you for doing the tape peel. I needed that satisfaction at the end of this vid. 🤣

[@rubys_trinkets]

This is a great comment!! I love what you said about how we shouldn’t expect everything we need from just one creator, I feel the exact same way. Free resources need to be diversified by the viewer, because a single creator can’t have everything you need. And also because it’s good to compare notes and get as much experience and perspective as you can! I also love the idea of putting together a range of different resources and artist advice, that’s exactly what this community needs, I would absolutely be interested in seeing or making something like that! and I also love the paint peeling, it’s very needed at the end of these videos haha ❤️

[@drinkbooks]

@@rubys_trinkets You totally should make it! Even if it's just to suggest a model to other creators. There's so many mini communities out there of artists who know each other either personally or professionally. If their audiences start asking for things they can't provide, they can compile the requests, make a video and a link tree to people they know and trust who provide those things. They're addressing their audience's requests, letting them know they've been heard and provided a way to access the information. That way no one is forced into mentorship. There are tons of people who love to teach! I follow a bunch of them. 🤣

[@CaroFB]

This is such a good video! Romanticizing can go both ways! I plan/hope to eventually be some form of full time artist I’m even going to school for it but it is not for everyone this idea of a cozy relaxing, all fun, art no work life social media shows is just not the truth! I’ve met so many incredibly talented artists who could probably make more than a living off their art, but they are just not cut out for how time consuming and mentally draining it can be - it may look fun but work is work and if your not willing to “give up” your hobby for it? its maybe not for you…

[@Longpotato_]

there's definitely a lot of romanticization going on with not just art businesses but overall small businesses. In fact i can say ive been inspired by these influencers exactly. There's nothing wrong with the vlogs, but people need to realize that doing business is NOT easy and most of the time takes more hours than your 9-5 jobs. Its not for everyone, especially when you have to handle everything YOURSELF at first.

[@rubys_trinkets]

That’s exactly right, there’s a huge rise in “how to start a business” content because it’s popular among viewers, and it makes it seem like it’s easy if everyone’s doing it and you can do it with “no experience.” You’re right about it taking so much time and effort, there’s a joke that goes “I didn’t want to work a 9-5 for someone else, so now I work 24/7 for myself” hahaha. There’s so much that comes with self-employment and small business, it’s not the fun, laid back “side-hustle” that social media makes it look like sometimes

[@Skyset_angel]

Amazing advice to younger artists out there. I don’t use social media because of the points given. I give my art as gifts.. and I been artist all my life. Only maybe one time I got money for something I made. This Christmas I’m giving painted Christmas cards people can look at all year at my work. Its about love to people as well as beauty. I hope it changed their life even.

[@janicerochford]

This is a great video, and I'm really glad someone is saying the important things without sensationalising or witch-hunting! I've been work on a video about art for art's sake because I wanted to touch on the fact you DON'T need to be a full time artist/Potter. Your art doesn't have to be a side hustle and in fact if you make it that it can suck the life and joy out of it. Really loving your work on this channel

[@papercrusader]

Good take. I am a full time artist and enjoy studio vlogs just to have some chatter on while I'm doing all the business of having an art business. I would be so interested to see other artists' time breakdown because SO LITTLE of my time is actually spent making art. Like so, so little.

[@ftg_alt]

This is so fucking good. Great video should be more popular

[@paws94]

I love this vid the art here is gorgeous and this is like a healthy reality check fr

[@hellbreakfast]

Aight, I listened to the whole video, and I agree with most of the ideas as presented. 2/3 of my work is deffo not doing art. I would also like to add to the warning about paperwork and taxes: If you live in the USA, in most places you will be taxed at a higher rate under self-employment than working a normal job. Be ready. The only point of contention I have with this video at all is that it's named fairly generically as "STOP Romanticizing Art Business", when really I feel it should be titled more KZbin-specific, because that is the focus. I'm not saying other art business should be romanticized, what I'm saying is that artists do need to look outside these platforms to find work, sometimes. Having a big KZbin or Tiktok channel isn't the only way to survive. I make my living by vending at conventions, and while it is beyond stressful, horribly unstable, and will probably kill me one day, I'd die way quicker by trying to be the next big KZbinr or TikTok flavor of the day. It's like asking a saltwater fish to swim in a lake- I ain't no salmon, I can't do both. Even without doing conventions, you'll be flabbergasted by local art scenes if you look. There's a lot more ways to be indie, and not all of them involve hiding behind a handle online. Touch some grass and make some friends. That's how you actually find your way in the art community, regardless of if you're selling or not.

[@mute_ed984]

Thanks for the insight and for sharing the creator's perspective on the (youtube) business

[@esthykechan]

I have been drawing for most of my life. started writing properly during Covid. but most projects are for me and while I have always dreamed of sharing them with others the marketing part of the equation is just something that I cannot figure out. working 40 hours a week to survive leaves not that much time and energy for running social media accounts and promoting my self indulgent stories.. I do not want to give art up (don’t think I could) but it is incredibly disheartening to see how others are able to pursue it full time while I struggle to finish one piece of art for weeks. I love the creative process and would much prefer doing this than my boring, soul killing job but I do not have it in me to “turn it into a side hustle “ and keep up with customer demands and spend money on figuring out how algorithms works

[@juliaallen3127]

you know i never really thought about this and im glad someone is making me aware lol

[@forindet]

As someone who both makes and watches cosy romanticised art vlogs (and other cosy lifestyle vlogs), I'm not sure you can really avoid the romanticisation (?). From making that kind of content I know that it's not true, because I'm living it. I'll go as far as to say that sometimes I feel more cosy doing my accounting off camera than actually recording myself draw (because you have to constantly stop, move the camera, get a new better more interesting angle, figure out light and lens and what not...) and even knowing all that I'm still tricked watching other people's vlogs and thinking, well I'm an imposter, I'm faking it, my life isn't really that cosy, but what they are doing, that's actually romantic and easy and they have "made it". I try to be transparent, but just knowing that something is "fake" isn't always enough. And at the same time, I like watching this sort of stuff, it can be relaxing and help take my mind off of things, but I also know that sometimes it also makes me get into comparison and feeling not enough. So for me it's about being very mindful of when I'm in a state of mind where I can manage to watch that stuff for enjoyment and when it is likely to take me to a bad place. Like knowing when it's ok to have a cake (and how much) and when you should stick to your vegetables 😅

[@HibiscusStitch]

And then there’s me filming on whatever phone I have with whatever light I already had and not a script in sight lol but I don’t make money off my videos. They’re just fun for me. Not through KZbin anyway. I love doing art business full time. Making and designing plushies (not crochet) and selling them at cons is what makes my soul sing! I love every aspect of it sans the few problem customers that crop up of course. I think the worst part is the long hours closer to contime (con crunch) but also I don’t mind them either. Oh and getting up super early for a flight to a con and suffering the whole trip over haha. But I also have a fondness for it too. I’m bad at doing the daily marketing thing. I just post whenever I have something to post. I’m trying the daily on bluesky, but I’ve never been good at talking when I have nothing to say. But luckily people still like my reels and stuff. I’m also grateful that I’m a huge business nerd since birth and got my degree in business administration so that side of things can still be fun for me to do. My parents did use to be against what I did for a large portion of my life until I took my mom with me to a con and then she got it. Good video! Gonna watch more of yours! This was the first I was recommended!

[@ClaireCraig]

I love your editing style!!!

[@sammirureka]

The cognitive distortion for artists who want to be professional is literally ruining my mental stability. I've wanted to be a full time artist since I was like 5, and recently I had a child and I rarely get to draw at all anymore. I am also so horrible at marketing and social media, so I consume art content and I love it but it makes me soooo depressed and upset with myself. Why am I not there? Why can't that be me? It's so refreshing to hear what's said in this video, that at least I'm not alone. ❤️

[@rubys_trinkets]

@@sammirureka You’re definitely not alone! Comparison is so detrimental to our mental health and confidence, and social media makes it feel impossible not to do. But by being aware of romanticizing, we can start to be kinder to ourselves and consume art content in a healthy way ❤️ Going down a different path doesn’t make your life less meaningful or beautiful, and it’s perfectly normal to not monetize your interests or make a career out of them!

[@igotbit9454]

It’s not the art community’s fault you feel inferior, It’s yours

[@alisa_the_witch]

Girl, thank you so much for this video! I absolutely agree and I'm happy someone had the courage to point it out. 5:25 I like this moment so much, so true. I just think you should put some light music to your videos, it was confusing to watch it without it. My ADHD couldn't focus, in a way. Just a suggestion ^^

[@dreamsanddaytime]

Okay, but that drawing is beautiful. I would love to buy it 😁

[@Haleyangelo]

This is such a great video! As someone who has jumped into the convention scene a couple years ago, I had no idea what I was getting myself into so it’s really good to see this sort of information being shared. Over the past couple of years I’ve learned so much but there is still so much to learn. I wouldn’t even say I’m that successful. I recently did a 3 day convention and lost a bunch of money. I wasn’t fully informed and had romanticized it too much. I appreciate you bringing up this dicussion. I even made a video on my art KZbin and social media accounts with my profits/loss at the last con with all the expenses. I am planning on continuing to be transparent with future cons and more BTS in terms of tasks to hopefully share the realities to help other people who are curious about possibly starting their own art business journey. I think if someone fully understands what they are getting themselves into, then it’s worth pursuing but it’s sooo important to be aware of the 99% of things that go on BTS outside of creating the art. As I’ve learned more about it, I now know the truth first hand of what goes into it but I still want to keep pursuing art because I can’t imagine doing anything else! This is coming from someone who went to school to be an educator, taught a few years, and now pursuing my passions. My dad is a business owner so I think that has helped seeing what it’s like too, and I’ve always been interested in starting my own business. Anyway, great video and yes, I hope this continues to be an ongoing discussion!