Why I quit art

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

I wish that there were more videos talking about people who have finally given up the art world to learn other skills. I have no regrets for giving up art and writing for my singing and music. Hopefully more people can be encouraged to do the same and not feel guilt-tripped and forced to do what they are not interested in pursuing or willing to lose. Someone else will take up the skill. Don’t be afraid to burn a unwarranted bridge.

[@STUNTHEINSECT]

I quit a year ago now, I feel so much better today. Last year I was extremely stressed, submerged in depression and fighting against anxiety and panic attacks. I was going insane. I lost all my self esteem and started having suicidal thoughts. It got to the point where I hurt my teeth for so much nervous bitting and had to get 2 root canal treatments and I would also bleed from the stomach. I'm still fighting the feelings. I regret having left my degree at engineering for this. I wish I could make everything right from the start...

[@felicial.7387]

I quit business economics to pursue art and I struggled with stress, anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts as a side effect. I also wish I could just go back and do everything right from the start. You are not alone and as sad as your story is, I am glad I'm not alone either. Artists tell me that ofc I should be doing art, and everyone who knows I have been doing it since I could hold a pen, but there is no clear career path. Any other job I am interested in doesn't understand my love for art and it isn't needed there. Just gave me stomach aches, and so much crying..

[@tisineverfear1490]

a lot of it is, at least for me, is treating art like i treated school. study, study, study. and damn that wore me out. im glad i took a break, ive been coming back from it, and i now i need anatomy practice.

[@petrichromastudios4387]

Yes, I think at some point the 'joy' of creation turned into the 'automation'. I feel you with anatomy... I have found sites like 'Quick Poses' www.quickposes.com/en a great help, and so thankful for the information age helping me get resources easier. (even if it is a bit overwhelming on how much is out there) Good luck with your art going forward!

[@ann_victor_green5462]

Art is a hobby. Not sustainable as a job. Going through the pain of learning other in demand skills will make you appreciate art/music again. I just needed a place to vent this. The pain is so real.

[@bippaasama]

I used to draw a lot and I got better at it for awhile but eventually I just hit a wall beyond which I could not improve so I just quit indefinitely. It was a huge blow to my self-esteem.

[@krazykoalakills]

This is so frustrating to listen to because i have the fire and the drive and the love to continue to create things. It’s more the institution that is the art school that I’m struggling with. I’m debating on quitting art school because it just might be more practical to leave it. However I’m open to having a dialogue for anyone that’s feeling the same way! And still super thankful this video is out there

[@SilentTrip]

Be honest with yourself, do you actually WANT to be there or are you just forcing yourself to be there? If it's the latter then my advice to you is to not force yourself to something you don't believe in

[@ArminJohansson]

I think many artists can relate to that frightning dwindling of passion and the constant worry over wether or not one will continue to be able to feel joy in art. I myself used to think that bringing my imagination to life was an important part of me. I wrote stories did drawing and wrote poetry, and I would spend much time with myself just exploring my head. There was always a project being brought to life in my imagination. Then one day around six years ago my mind rebelled. It really happened over a night, and I have no idea why it happened or what it traced back to. But one afternoon when I tried listening to my thought's nothing would come. Like I said, then I had expectations of my creativity so when there was no story or image to be found, instead anxiety hit me. And thats how it's been since. I can no longer dive into my head just be creative. So that's pretty tragic, but what is the point writing this thing? Well. I come to believe more and more that Imagination is something that comes and goes freely. Paying attention to the world is more important then expressing yourselves. Many people would say that the world and themselves are two sides of the same coin. So I believe in letting go and concentrating on being as distracted as possible, never decide what I want to see, or what I think is a good idea or good thought. Finally, instead of being obsessed with brining my imagination to life, I've come to think that the purpose of art is not to express the imagination but to expand it. The true payoff from art is not the image that is on the paper when all is said and done but the image that has been etched into your mind during the process. An artwork is not the ending but the beginning of imagination.

[@purplepepper2503]

Armin Johansson Yeah. The first part is exactly what I'm going through too. It really is scary, and I've given up... ._. But you keep going! I believe in you! Don't give up, it's sad in this side :(

[@petrichromastudios4387]

I find myself nodding along with these points. Sharing this allowed me to hear others experience which has both helped and lend a great perspective. I am thankful people took time to add their thoughts to this, as coming back to these comments has helped. Thank you for sharing this, a lot to think on going forward.

[@biancaaguglia3742]

+ Armin Johansson "An artwork is not the ending but the beginning of imagination." Beautifully said. ❤️❤️❤️ I know your story might be considered sad, but I don't think it's sad at all. I think it's beautiful and inspiring. First, you're right: imagination (or inspiration, or the muse) comes and goes freely. It's a cycle that can be scary but is also so useful. When you're inspired you create "fast and furiously." It's an euphoric feeling, for sure, but it can leave you blind to many things that matter. That's why the down times are good also - the times when inspiration is away. During those times you slow down a lot. Sometimes painfully so. But this slowing down gives you a chance to better see the world around you. To notice other people's creations and also their struggles. To ask questions about belonging and purpose. To put your own artwork into perspective. This downtime will make you an even better artist next time inspiration comes around. To clarify, to me every human is an artist. We all have the urge to explore both the world outside of us and the one inside. To tell about our explorations through music, drawing, writing, etc. Some of us become professional artists, but most of us choose to stay at amateur level. Professional or not, we all go through the same up and down cycles when it comes to inspiration. I hope that by now you're back to feeling inspired. If not, I hope you've found joy in this period of waiting for your muse and exploring the world through something other than your art. ❤️

[@LINDSYLHNISMYGD]

Thanks so much for the video. As a young artist I've always been surrounded by people comparing me to others that are years better than me. I've just gotten alot of anger and frustration when it comes to art because always wanting to improve is just a huge weight on my shoulders. I have contemplated just leaving it altogether but I've always known that art was something that'd take me somewhere. This video has taken me to the conclusion to take a month long break since art is just stressing me. Again, I'd like to say thank you.

[@Stew_Ped]

Thank you for putting this up and thank you for being around

[@petrichromastudios4387]

Hey, thank you for watching. I gotta say I feel lucky you are a creative type friend person. I could get more sappy but nah. That said, your support over the years has meant a lot.

[@andrewchambers9752]

Thank you for making this video. I am seriously thinking about giving it all up and am oddly at peace with it... or maybe apathetic about it. Still, thanks for sharing this.

[@petrichromastudios4387]

It can be difficult to confront, I wish you well on your path.

[@AnnaCurser]

I stopped drawing and painting a few years ago, because it has no platform to share it. Theres no resonance on the internet, cause it's too crowded. And there's none in the family, cause they are used to it and dont know what to do with it. I still make concepts and doodles once in a while, when I just need to get an idea into a clean image, but I never make complete images anymore. I wanted to tell a story, make a grafical novel, but it simply took too long. I changed my outlet into writing. My ideas, my designs, my stories are now put into letters, not lines and colour. I'm writing my books, page my page. But for art I now got some critical eye, and I find myself heavily criticising others works, because I just see it as the pointless hobby that it was for me.

[@_Digishade_]

Alright, so I think this comment is kind of weird. You say you gave up on art because... of what? There's too much 'resonance' on the internet? What does that even mean? Did you quit because there's an over-saturation of art? Well, I can see how that might be frustrating. But that doesn't mean that you can't work hard to make your work stand out amongst the masses. If your work resonates with someone, they're going to like it, and if enough of it resonates with enough people... well, awesome! It sounds to me like you either didn't know why you were doing art, or that you were doing art for the wrong reasons. If you don't feel like doing art just because you don't feel like it, well, that's fine, but criticizing the work of other artists just because you see it as a 'pointless hobby' out of the bitterness of not carving out your own niche in art (because it "took too long," for instance) is just wrong. I'm a writer *and* an artist, and I struggle with the challenges and difficulties of both. But you see, I do my art and writing *for me.* I do it because I have a goal of making something half-way decent and maybe a little beautiful some day. Do I want people to like my stuff? Of course I do! But me actually being an artist and writer doesn't hinge on other people, because if *I* like it or like doing it, that's enough for me. Other people liking it is just a bonus. Being an artist, whether a draftsman or of the written word, is as much a fight against yourself and your own limitations as it is a learning experience and a creative endeavor. But whenever I'm discouraged, I think of what it was like before I could draw, those years and years when I never thought I could ever do it. When I remember those things, it reminds me of why I do it at all. I do it because *I can.*

[@purplepepper2503]

DavionXY Haha! I relate. I don't do art anymore, but I look at art and give suggestions that are pointless .-. I'm not sure if you miss drawing, but thanks for writing this comment. I struggle with the same thing, and I thought I was alone because I had no idea that someone was going through the same thing. I hope one day you'll get up and get drawing again. I bet your stories are awesome

[@petrichromastudios4387]

I hope that writing is rewarding for you in the ways that drawing/illustration wasn't. Sometimes its hard to realize maybe this 'isn't for me' and make that shift. Best of luck with writing.

[@fosoofkkkfkfkckd]

@@_Digishade_ TLDR

[@bassgoesbrr8816]

Not an artist but a musician and I can relate to everything you're saying and it's nice to hear your perspective on things. Thanks :)

[@petrichromastudios4387]

Thanks for that, I think its neat how similar things can be despite how different the field is. Best of luck on your musician journey!

[@philmehrart]

Thank you for your honesty about the subject, I’m sure you’re words will help a lot of people breathe a sigh of relief. I worked remotely from home for a long time and started to feel really cut off and isolated, then questioning if art was really for me. Now moving to a studio, being around others who are passionate and driven seems to help :)

[@petrichromastudios4387]

Oh I hope the studio move was/is a wonderful experience for you and cultivates a great artistic groove. I also work remote, so I totally get the 'have I talked to a human today with my voice' vibe.

[@annieruygt1194]

Thank you for this video. I needed to hear it. I've been wanting to walk away from making art for a couple years now, since I get so frustrated and hopeless. I think burnout is REAL, and breaks are always helpful. It takes a lot of soul and energy to create and produce. Wishing you the best and lots of balance in the future!!

[@ulmcneill2011]

i had this problem a few months ago and i felt devastated. i eventually realized i need to let go of the giant pedestal that i built the idea of being good at art is. i also realized i need to let go of the idea of how long before im good. i reassure myself that i will get there because i put in the time and over the span of time i will see improvement, thinking beyond that is an excessive burden on the mind. id like to become an animator and my burnout really hurt me emotionally because it was what i wanted for so long. i took a hiatus for what was meant to be a month but i ended up breaking it every here and there and ultimately decided to cut it 8 days short and just get back into the complete groove but i cant think of drawing the same because if i do i will think of it negatively again. i hardly dealt with any serious block i guess but when i first questioned my feelings for art and decided to slip into the mindset of "idk if ill go back, let it come on its own" i was a bit sad and worried cause i built it up to be my goal for so long and became obsessed only to drop out of it. currently im back at it with nothing but positiveness and i feel better than before but i also realize thats only because i think around the ideas that lead me to the burnout to begin with.

[@petrichromastudios4387]

Thank you for sharing your experience and frustrations. it helps to know you 'aren't alone' but also it sucks other people go through this. I hope you keep chasing animation, it can be frustrating but rewarding when completed. always in awe of animators and how they achieve the illusion of movement. May we both get closer to our art goals this year!

[@Nicolas-of6li]

i'm about to quit right now, going to relieve my pain

[@cappierising1774]

its 2021 march. did you really quit? did you find something else to do?

[@HeirofSigma]

I don't hate or resent art. I just wish somebody would hire me as an artist. But perhaps the bar is far too high for me. Well, whatever. I quit art as a career.

[@abiegreyvenstein4123]

I stumbled across this video. Sharing your experience is really helping me. Thank you.

[@petrichromastudios4387]

Glad to hear this, I hope you are able to work though what you are going through as well.

[@henry-sh1zj]

pls never stop i appreciate you!

[@normapadro420]

I began creating art a few years ago. I have been a photographer since I was 8 years old. I'm 56 now. I also began producing music a few years ago. I became an author a few years ago as well. I create when I want, and enjoy it. I don't pressure myself into anything, because I do this for the joy of it. If you don't enjoy it you won't do it.

[@lunazamoraart]

I am giving art a break. My heart just isn't in it anymore, I am finding other interests and learning new skills in other things. Maybe I'll go back to it someday, but self promotion is difficult and very hard on my psyche

[@slverwolf27]

Sorry it took me so long to watch this. I'm glad you came back. I hope it feels natural & right to you soon enough. And that next time, you take a break without guilt. Fuck inner voices, man. They suck.

[@petrichromastudios4387]

No worries. and yes, sometimes the head games we play with ourselves are nasty. Looking forward to NOT have that be a hold back for me soon.

[@nevikblade6701]

Been struggling in learning process in art. The reason i pursue this its because i needed a skill to create a game design as being an artist is a requirement. So i first learn pixel art but there are a lot of errors according to the pros that cirtique my work so i asked them how to be good at it and they said i need an art background so i left pixel art for a while to learn "Art" so the art community gave me some points on what i need to learn and you guessed it. The fundamentals. At first i was like i can do this but the longer i practice the harder it is to swallow. Ever since then i keep asking for help then jumping around from anatomy to color to perspective even tho i havent mastered each of them. Its hard for me to learn it and ive been wondering how these people enjoyed doing this when it so fucking hard to learn. When i watched this video right now i questioned myself if what i did was right for those 4 years that i wasted from this learning process and still havent get the grasp and get to where i wanted to reach. So i decided that art isnt for me because its strange that "simple" to understand in fundamentals is so hard to swallow. And people tell me not to give up but you know time is gold if i dont stop this i just waste my time. I better another purpose in life after this. Sorry for the grammar i just so frustrated because of this art bullshit and i cant think properly because of that i just said these things maybe someone has the same situation as i am.

[@WatercolourQuickandEasy]

Hey thanks! keep on keepin on!

[@SomeoneInYourRecomended234]

My art reflects my life *it's all trash*

[@AvieMaria08]

I can relate 😢

[@SuperMarkIsaac]

Good video, i think this applies to whatever we do, there has to be a sense of joy and the important thing in being an artist is not being good at it or finding other peoples approval its about creating something that wasn't there before that "WE" are happy with or satisfied with. If we dont have that YES feeling, that intrigue of digging what we are about to entertain then i think were are confusing having some sort of personal cause [issue related] with being in our element. Being in our element might be other things as well or might require us to quit and let go so we stop getting in the way.

[@petrichromastudios4387]

I think it can be easy to get caught up in putting on airs about whatever you are into and getting into that space of 'others before self'. Sometimes I feel so new to my 'life journey' when these things come up. (that sounds really corny) I agree with the 'YES' feeling & I appreciate this comment, some good reminders to keep close in mind.

[@AkwaIbomDoll]

i definitely relate to some of this! i nearly quit too around last year December due to lots of mental health struggles (unrelated to art itself) but i got over that as well and now I’m doing great again ❤️

[@cappierising1774]

so its March 2021. What have you been doing now? how's life there ?

[@4nge112]

This is what my Story is why i quit art 1.I never can draw or improve 2.Not alot people praise my arts 3.Few times my arts are just to make people angry and jealous 4.My mom Said my arts are gross 5.Getting fake praise Im going to Bye Bye my arts

[@afuras2534]

I hope you find something that you truly enjoy doing

[@4nge112]

@@afuras2534 thanks

[@afuras2534]

I think the main reason I’m going to quit making art is because mental issues like self esteem and I’m tired of complaining that I’m not good enough. I just think I have art associated with this toxic ego like perfectionism, I just do it cause I feel like have to get better and get highly skilled to build a following. I do want to create things but I recognize that I have a toxic ego that I feel I have to be good to be worthy or to prove I’m better. That is the over achiever and ego talking. I treat art like an identity rather than a healthy outlet. I feel guilty cause I feel like I wasted so much time and money but I can’t keep doing this. I don’t know if it’s the guilt talking but I feel like I shouldn’t give up. Idk but I’m going to give up on art completely and rather focus on discovering new paths. Honestly all my future plans has been erased cause they were art related. Oh well I’ll see

[@henry-sh1zj]

thanks for the depth❤️☝🏽

[@untitledESCAPEROOMproject]

Ok, so you mention having been angry while/when making art, but you don't really explain what was making you angry about art, which I think is a really big thing to leave out. I don't think a video that says "why I quit art" is compelling when you leave out the biggest why. Which is unfortunate because there ARE things that can cause these feelings when making art (particularly for other people) and they are worth discussing.

[@petrichromastudios4387]

Thanks for this feedback Joe. I was looking to strike a balance, and there was still some personal shame around this where I felt that including 'all the little things' would come off as excuses/take away from the end result. I felt that that message should be shared to help with my 'getting over it' but was a little nervous on how candid I should be. I will take this into consideration if I do another video like this. Thanks for voicing this.

[@pentacleman1000]

I noticed this too, and was scratching my head trying to guess what about creating art could make someone angry? Maybe if there were clients and deadlines involved it could turn into a source of frustration leading to anger. But it sounded like she was just saying that the very act of creating a piece of art was generating anger. Anger toward what?

[@ijustmakegamesnow906]

i love you