The future of this channel...

Why I've been absent, what I've been up to & my thoughts on the future of this channel.
I write a weekly newsletter about becoming a better creative, without burning out or going insane. Subscribe here: www.louisestigell.com/subscribe
ABOUT
Hi, I’m Louise: an artist, writer & creative solopreneur from Sweden. As a multi-passionate creative, I have spent my entire adult life avoiding traditional employment and instead making a living off of my art.
On this channel, I talk about everything I've learned along the way: About art making, creativity, mental health, and making a living as a creative. Dealing with perfectionism, fears, and overwhelm. Staying sane and productive among stress and distractions. And much more.
LEARN WITH ME
Pencil Sketching for Beginner Artists - A simple, stress-free roadmap to radically improve your sketching skills. In weeks, not years: www.louisestigell.com/pencil-...
Portrait Drawing for Beginners -
Learn how to draw any face you want, quickly, accurately, and in your own style: www.louisestigell.com/portrai...
Watercolor For Absolute Beginners - Learn the basics of watercolor in a playful, relaxing, and non-intimidating way: www.louisestigell.com/waterco...
Watercolor Birds - Learn all of my tips and tricks for painting birds in watercolor: www.louisestigell.com/waterco...
SHOP MY ART
Fine art prints: www.louisestigell.com/shop/fi...
Canvas prints: www.louisestigell.com/shop/ca...
Originals: www.louisestigell.com/portfolio
MUSIC
All music is from Epidemic Sound.

[@cat-and-raven]

Enough of the algorithm telling us what we should be creating! It's time to take back our power and do what we want to do when we want to.

[@carodame9419]

Hey Louise, i think you are making a great decision decision when you say that you only want to upload when inspiration hits. All my favorite youtuber upload like this. It makes the community much more tightly knit and the uploads more exciting.

[@beckywebb1916]

This is probably the healthiest viewpoint to have. Your health and creativity should always be more important than social media. I’ll be signing up for your newsletter!♥️

[@VeraGolosovaArt]

Let's rejoice in the art of giving as little fks as possible! Thank you for this video, Louise, I d follow you even if you are a "bad youtuber". This weekly pace is too overwhelming to me not only as a video maker, but also as a video watcher to be honest.

[@evestree]

Celebrating YOU!!!! Yes, follow your souls calling. You serve us ALL when you do that!!! Cheering you on! 40 is a rite of passage (you may know this) the Wise Woman phase of life has begun. From one artist to another, I congratulate you following your heart!

[@AlexPerez_contemporary_painter]

Louise, it will be a great loss for KZbin (and for all of us) that a so tender, sincere, creative and generous person as you are decide to close the channel, please, don't do it, publish less, but don't close it.

[@archaic_way]

I am also aspiring to be a “unprofessional KZbinr” , I want to start but to document my personal progress. You’re videos have been reassuring! Thank you 😊

[@MadDannyWest]

Yeah upload whenever you want, because at the end of the day the quality of the content will dip if the passion isn't there, if you upload sporadically I believe you'll cultivate a fanbase who watch you for your personality and what you're interested in, and not an audience who needs to be fed a steady diet of a video a week. I definitely will watch whatever you put out at a pace that works for you.

[@ArtByHazel]

Hi Louise, welcome back. I feel you. Your sanity, creativity, overall well-being is number one priority. Burn out sucks. I’m slowly coming out from my own experience and it’s bizarre to get to know a new self that I haven’t seen or known before. Patience is key. Take care. Feel free whenever you have the capacity to share your progress and process. It’s nice to learn from your Nordic life. Your soul knows what’s best about being a creator. If you feel good expressing yourself as a writer, then write.. 💖✨🇨🇦✨

[@soindifferent_]

I’m going through this right now, haven’t posted anything in about a 2 months. Started a podcast, had a number of interviews that needed to be edited as well as some products I wanted to launch. I’m just burnt out. Between the shitty job and the constant expectations of showing up to events ect. I’m glad you’re doing well, did t really notice that you were gone considering that I’m a recent sub lol. Glad you’re back none the less :)

[@ddsincos]

Thank you Louise for being so honest, that was the reason why I started following you. In all honesty, even just having a monthly vlog/newsletter or scribbling something, while doing voice over is way better than following some trends :) . And I think that you quite a lot, having 4000 people who are looking into what you are doing is pretty amazing in my opinion.

[@maryann9579]

I had just recently discovered your channel and LOVE it. I'm 62, recently retired with increasing mobility issues so can no longer go birding which I did every weekend. Decided to enjoy birds online and pick up drawing and watercolors with bird subjects after a 30 year absence from art. Your channel is a perfect fit for me and so inspirational that it's not too late for me to pick up art again. I understand your decision to pare back but know that I'll be anxiously awaiting any art videos you'll post and will take your Skillshare courses too.

[@LouiseStigell]

Thank you so much, and welcome! 😌🙏🏻

[@emmelinesprig489]

I’ve been between jobs for a couple months now, recovering from severe burnout that turned into a depression. I’ve watched a lot of youtube to cope. It’s definitely crossed my mind a few times, “Should I make youtube videos?” I am also multi-passionate and it’s impossible to imagine making videos about only one topic. Your channel is the first I’ve seen that actually feels achievable. I don’t want to be a youtuber professionally. Rather, I want an outlet to share my interests and connect with similar people. I think your new approach to making videos as your time allows seems much more sustainable. I read your article about quitting youtube. I appreciated the 3 questions you asked to determine if you should continue or not, and I wrote them down in my book of quotes to remind myself. Thank you so much for sharing! You’re inspiring a lot.

[@STICKYArt]

I think uploading content can be overwhelming so focusing on what is important to you is really good! content creator/youtuber is alot of rolls in one to do really well. I really enjoy your content and hope you can just post what you can when you can to share with less pressure to perform. this method helped me improve overall! keep up the great work!

[@earthingearthling2976]

Personal care should be utmost importance. More ppl should do it. Social media (all platforms) are an absolute cesspool. Take care

[@calliopelove]

I can only imagine that the channel would be so much work. That's why I haven't done one. I think it's totally valid to just upload whenever inspiration strikes and just use it as supporting content for your other main goals. I would never want to put the pressure for it to BE THIS or BE THAT. It will flow better when it's just for you, and whatever you want to share. :)

[@MisterNiles]

I’m glad to have any content from you at all. Your love for what you do is infectious. I suffer from treatment resistant depression. I go through severe Creativity blocks and I am in one now. Watching your videos makes me want to create. That’s a gift. Thank you.

[@LouiseStigell]

That makes me so happy to hear. Thank you. 🖤

[@artfx9]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@CJShopland_Art]

What I’ve realised is when ever a youtuber says they’ve been away for a while, I usually haven’t noticed unless it’s been over 8 months. Two months people get on with life and don’t notice as much as the creator thinks. It’s good to hear you’ve had time to just be. It can feel like a trap with mind constantly on the next video; and I try to create art just for sake of being in that space 🥰

[@martastolarskafineart]

Good for you! I have just today found your profile, saw a few videos, and it is amazing how similar I feel about art :) being in a corporate world is not best for my creativity - but I'm doing my best now - I'm in it for the long run :) Can't wait to see what the future brings!. lots of love, from Birmingham, UK, great to hear your calming voice first thing in the morning :)

[@SundayVlogger]

Will miss your beautiful face, soothing voice, artful creations, and smooth vibes, but am always proud to hear about your empowering choices. Good luck with future endeavors and will be following in the future most likely. Cheers

[@LouiseStigell]

I'm not going anywhere. 😜 But thank you for those kind word anyways! 🖤🖤🖤

[@LianDyogi]

I feel this so much. Especially overthinking and comparison. Honestly, I am torn because making art/music is my job and part of that is making content (or so I think/they tell me) so I have also struggled with balancing mental health with supposed “output that will help my career”

[@limitone9564]

Good for you! Be free little crow! 😊

[@BokushingusKendoTV]

Good for you, Louise. I’m very similar. I don’t subscribe to the “chase the algorithm” method of creating content… I just post whenever I feel like it. ✌️😎

[@shannonrice-nichols8575]

I appreciate this blog and your being super honest. Your approach to this channel has resonated with me. You should work on what makes you happy and I am sure there are a few of us interested in this journey. 💚

[@Fisheyesandmagpies]

I just found your channel a few days ago and have been enjoying your videos. I understand the feeling you are talking about. The first video of yours that caught my attention was the one about having multiple interests. No one ever talks about that and I felt like the only one who flip flops between obsessions and wants to do all the things. It was reassuring to see I’m not alone! I hope you continue to make videos, even if it is sporadically. I enjoy your easygoing nature, and appreciate your perspective.

[@jwsongs]

I LOVE your honesty. ❤Thank you! I am subscribed to your email list and I very much look forward to hearing all about what you are doing. And I just want to say that I’d much rather hear honesty like yours than KZbinrs who are just grasping at straws to create any kind of content they can just to create content! That is so uninteresting and so useless to everyone. So again, thank you so much! 😊

[@YogaBlissDance]

I have to tell you: you are multi talented a gem- a writer and artist wow. You also come across at very genuine. PLEASE PLEASE KEEP going, I have a 27k channel and court burnout by pushing to publish 2x week omg. Do it as easily and kindly to yourself, but you fill a void here on YT- also you are doing very well, you may nnot know it! to have 3k+ subs in a year is impressive- trust me. OMG you are nearly 40? I thought you were in your late 20's...amazing.

[@LouiseStigell]

I have never read a comment with so many different compliments in it. ❤ Thank you so much. Reading this made my day. And I'll take you advice. 🙏🏻

[@kathyoh9713]

Hi, I just last week found your channel here on KZbin. It was one you’d done a while ago about quitting Instagram. I’m not crazy about Instagram and don’t use any other social media. I don’t have a KZbin channel, but I really do enjoy learning from other artists like you for instance. I was drawn in by your wonderful paintings and art, and attitude. I can imagine the stress of doing this is great. Just want you to know how much I appreciate what I’ve seen on this channel and wish you the best in what you do, period. There’s enough stress in the world as it is without creating more for oneself. Take care.

[@sharonshawstudio]

Good for you! I wish you well in whatever direction you take.

[@timkretzer]

I just, in the past few days, came across you here on YT and I've been watching/listening to as many of your videos as I can each day. You are one of the few I've had the privilege of discovering that are, in my opinion, open and transparent, honest and real rather than coming across as so many do (to me) as doing their videos as PR and marketing pushes. I understand why they do theirs as they do, and that's fine for them, but I quickly tune them out, regardless of how well their skills and talents in their particular fields may be because it's difficult for me to hear the instructions and tips above the commercializing. To me it's like finding a song I may enjoy, but then tuning it out because I have a hard time hearing it over too much static and lag. You, however, sing clear and loud with nothing else interfering. I really appreciate your amazing and wonderful imagineering, and I'm learning and being motivated and finding direction while enjoying your straightforwardness, practical and gut level honesty which help to highlight the things you're teaching and sharing. As I eventually get through your catalog of videos here on YT (although there'll be plenty of rewatching) I'll certainly miss seeing new ones, at least at the frequency you were doing them; they've all been great. However, I'm surfing over to your website and Substack and whatever else I find and will continue to follow you wherever and however you decide is best for you. I wish you all the best; you certainly are, in my opinion, among the best. If I can humbly offer a bit of advice, it would be to do just what you've been talking about in this video; it's sound wisdom... follow your heart and not the algorithms.

[@paulappswildlifeart]

Hi, Louise glad I found your channel, as I can relate to so many things that you are talking about. I also left a message on your video quitting IG. I feel you are voicing things I am constantly asking myself, yet I do not have answers that as you mentioned do not leave me panicking as to what would happen, is the right way forward, etc. I feel that in part staying the course with YT is positive, but finding the balance as in all things is essential, so as one creator to another I hope you stay the course, best to you Paul

[@bodawei425]

Your videos and words are touching. Wish you the best.

[@nickyjamesonarttv]

Thank you! Well done you!

[@jaroslavaart]

I feel you, girl, and this video is lifesaver for me, really! I wanna do what I want to do, I want to read more and draw and paint for my soul only. Haah, this would be great! Thank you!

[@ScottHebertArt]

good vid, nice to see you posting again. it's def good to take a break sometimes

[@cynthiacarter8802]

How refreshing you are! Today i watched you for the first time. I needed to hear this before starting you tube. I'm going to sign up to your email lust. Hugs!

[@MidnightGrind]

I thought you disappeared totally - and sadly KZbin just unsubbed me. Funny enough, I almost made the same video towards the end of last year. I concur about the trap of running out of things to say or provide - like in order to even have the energy to make more, you have to rekindle your passions by exploring your medium without the intent to produce…”doing the work.” Well said!

[@mikioni]

You are gorgeous ✨🌟😊

[@Katiors]

I so feel the same way about KZbin 🫠 The growth is an extremely slow process, sometimes discouraging even. And if you want to speed it up, you need to prioritize making videos about the topics that actually get views, not the topics you would enjoy doing videos about. If your goal is not making KZbin channel your main income stream, then you can give yourself more freedom and leave it as your side hobby and/or passive income source. Either way, you know better, do whatever feels right for you 🧡

[@milenapastuszak9053]

I love your decision! As much as I love to watch your videos, it would be amazing if you would make them only with inspiration. I believe everyone here will agree with me that we want you to be happy with what you're making. Actually I stayed on your channel because you are my inspiration to not get crazy with all of those social media, which are stilling my creativity and self-worthiness.

[@wendychampness1901]

I really like your Skillshare class on painting birds. I have been working through it😊

[@LouiseStigell]

Oh thank you! So happy to hear that. 🙏🏻😊

[@ellegilyard1348]

I’m turning forty in less than a year so I understand 😊

[@riot.9]

Wait - you wrote a story and just published it on amazon? Just like that? I can do that? :) But yeah,of course, don't worry what we think, you should move on your own pace. It's like with art. Life is art. Some of my youtubers even don't do any editing and I still love them.

[@TmHudsonArt]

I can totally get where you're coming from. I've really slowed on the video publishing this year for the same reason. I literally just got monetised today so maybe that will eventually change things a little as having a means to pay the bills sort of motivates you a little more lol....and let's face it, paying the bills is important. Up to press, it is purely commissions paying those so I always feel like that is what i need to prioritise...

[@LouiseStigell]

Wow, congrats on getting monetized! 🎉 Even though it's so little money in the beginning, seeing it gradually grow each month is so motivating. 😊

[@CJShopland_Art]

If I see KZbin as results, a grind, needing to upload every week then it’s too much. If I’m thankful to have a space to share my ideas and creativity then I’m thankful there is a place to do that. I’ve not uploaded in two weeks because I’ve been focusing on commissions. It’s so nice to reach the zone without having to film it :)

[@CJShopland_Art]

More difficult if KZbin is part of the job (I’m way off it earning )

[@LouiseStigell]

This comment was so insightful that I quoted you in one of my newsletters. 🙏🏻 You make a great point. Mindset changes everything. Gratitude is a much better place to come from than frustration, impatience and entitlement. It's so easy to slide into that here, but the reason I went into KZbin was for creative self-expression. And I'm still getting that, and am so grateful for it.

[@CJShopland_Art]

@@LouiseStigell as thank you! Happy it inspired, I’ll have to sign up to the newsletter to see 😁

[@fuzzydragons]

you need to do what you need to do i like how an 'unprofessional youtuber' sounds, take away the stress of having to upload all the time

[@rebeccasartcorner]

Vad är dina bästa tips eller tips på kurser angående vad man behöver tänka på om man vill sälja sin konst? (Tänker mer på saker som gäller för sverige)

[@LouiseStigell]

Kolla upp Karin Holmström! 😊 www.karinholmstromart.se/kurser/

[@sabinaf5584]

May I ask what that writing program you used was? 💕

[@LouiseStigell]

It's called Scrivener. 😊

[@Nabalayo]

I just subscribed yesterday haha! I was panicking that I found you and you're already leaving

[@katjastar3621]

pls stay and be a bad youtuber 🙏

[@LouiseStigell]

Haha, gonna try my best! 😜

[@Cynthiaschafer]

Have really enjoyed watching your videos today on this lazy Saturday of contemplating what I should do with my creative passions now after feeling some burn out. Your thoughts and expression has been so helpful. Thank you for sharing with the world. 🤍