I've been a little all over the place recently- I decided to set up an etsy shop and try and sell prints of my digital work (initially) and then changed my mind and decided to paint original watercolours to sell.

I got really excited about this prospect and naturally (I really don't know why) expected them to sell out in minutes. They didn't.. But I also knew that was going to happen. I spent a couple of days researching what artwork sells on etsy, reading articles of how to sell, trying to work out what I would paint, actually painting what I was going to paint and ultimately- stressing over nothing.

I put aside the work I'd been doing on my Jadis repaint and focused on these watercolours and getting prints of my digital work. Looking back, I feel like I've hardly done anything but I was extremely busy and yesterday I got pretty burned out.



I suddenly had this overwhelming feeling of 'I'm not good enough', which isn't new to me. I felt that because my shop wasn't selling anything and because my work wasn't getting likes or attention on social media that my work wasn't valid.

As I said before, this isn't a new feeling for me, and I don't think I'm the only artist that suffers from this social media shadow. In the world of digital/concept art, social media has a massive network of artists, and facebook has allowed me to connect with the artists that inspire me as well as find new artists. This is fantastic, and I've loved it, but the problem with facebook and my work is that pesky 'like' button; everything on facebook is measured by how many likes it can get.

Your selfie doesn't get many likes? The selfie was a flop. Your status doesn't get many likes? Clearly wasn't funny enough. Your photo of your cat doesn't get many likes? WHY DON'T PEOPLE THINK MY CAT IS CUTE?!?! (Jokes my cat reels in the likes- she's adorable)

Just look at that face

But yeah you get the idea- so when my painting doesn't get many likes? Damn son its not good enough. Now I'm not saying my work gets ignored completely -because I do get a decent amount of attention- but I'm always wanting MORE. I remember when getting 10 likes on my out of proportion goggle eyed drawing of Neytiri felt to me like I was famous, that I was fantastic... But now 10 likes on a drawing? I'm sat there thinking 'where did I go wrong?'

In all honesty, writing about it makes me feel like I'm being pretty whiny and pathetic "wah wah my picture didn't get the likes I wanted" BUT in a world where social media is such an important and significant aspect in our lives (hate to admit it but its true) is it actually important?


Clearly, its important to me. Maybe 'likes' are just an ego boost? Maybe my ego needs stroking and that's just it? I think it could be a bit of that, but its also about getting your work out there and seen. The more people like it, the more people see it- simples- and getting your work seen is important.

I'm interested in hearing what other artists have to say- does more likes and more followers reflect your quality of work? Do you upload for likes? Do likes matter to you?

Answer in the comments! If I find the ultimate answer to our (or just my?) problems I'll do a follow up post!


Thanks for reading!