The Tortured Artist Gets A Job
Many of us want to be artists when we’re kids–or at least we love doing art—and if you’re reading this article, you probably did, too. But art is hard.
So we asked a bunch of experts: “What advice would you give to your younger self about pursuing art?”
See, at Mandel Marketing, we believe creativity depends not just on technical skill—which of course it does, thus the thousands of hours with a paintbrush or running scales on the piano or typing terrible words—but also in the emotional connections it forges. From building meaningful marketing strategies to crafting stories that resonate, joy in creation has always been a central pillar of our philosophy.
There is a powerful yet often overlooked truth about creativity: when you focus on the joy your work brings—both to yourself and others—you unlock a level of authenticity and impact that no amount of perfection can match. Drawing inspiration from creators across industries, we’ll discuss why joy is the cornerstone of artistic expression and how it can transform not only your craft but also your career.
Don’t Underestimate Joy in Your Creations
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice about pursuing art, it would be: Don’t underestimate the power of joy in what you create. When I started creating balloon animals and face painting, I didn’t see it as art-I thought of it as a fun hobby. But over time, I realized that even small, playful creations can leave a lasting impact. Art doesn’t have to be in a gallery to matter; it just has to connect with people.
This advice is important to me because it’s the foundation of my career and my business, Party With A Twist. Early on, I focused on technical skills-how to twist the perfect balloon animal or paint an intricate design. But what really mattered was how my work made people feel. A child’s laughter at seeing their favorite animal come to life in balloons or a parent’s smile watching their kid’s face light up-that’s where the magic happens. Art is about creating moments that matter, not just objects.
By focusing on the joy my art brings, I’ve been able to grow my business into something much bigger than I imagined. It’s not just about entertaining; it’s about creating experiences that people carry with them. This shift in perspective has helped me build meaningful relationships with clients and their families. They don’t just see me as someone who performs at events-they see me as someone who adds a unique, artistic touch to their celebrations.
This advice also reminds me to approach my work with passion and creativity, even when challenges arise. Running a business in the arts can be unpredictable, but staying connected to the why-the joy I bring to others-keeps me grounded. It also helps me empower my team, teaching them that their art matters and that it has the power to make people’s lives brighter.
If my younger self could hear this advice, I think they’d feel inspired to embrace creativity without fear. And today, that advice continues to shape how I approach every event, every client, and every creation.
Daniel Oringel, CEO, Party With A Twist
You’re gonna’ break, break, break a leg
When you get on stage
And they scream your name
‘Oh, Cursive is so cool!’— “Art Is Hard,” Cursive
Share Your Art Now
To my younger self: Don’t wait for the “perfect” time to share your work. Do it now. When I first started drawing, I would hide my works because I didn’t think they were good enough, but one event changed everything. I didn’t want to show a piece I thought was incomplete at a community art event, but someone told me it made them think of a time they spent with their grandma. I learned from that talk that art doesn’t have to be perfect-it just needs to be shared.
Everything I do at YogiTimes is shaped by this point of view. When I write campaigns or pieces, I focus on the people involved by telling stories that people can relate to. For instance, we just published an article about how yoga practitioners deal with self-doubt, and it got a lot more activity than our studio-perfect, perfectly polished posts. It helped me remember that people connect with honesty, not beauty. This has made the creative process more fun and free for me.
Jean Christophe Gabler, Publisher & Founder, YOGI TIMES
Focus on Joy and Expression
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice about pursuing art, it would be: Don’t focus on winning awards or gaining approval from others-focus on finding joy and personal expression in the process. I had a childhood filled with vibrant exposure to art and craft, where colors, textures, and shapes were constantly around me, sparking my imagination. But, as I grew older, I started to get caught up in the idea of making art to impress teachers, judges, or peers. I would often feel disheartened if an adult or teacher didn’t like my work, which would sometimes dampen my creative spirit.
In the movie The Sky is Pink, Priyanka Chopra’s character tells her child, “It’s your sky. It’s up to you what color you want to assign it.” This resonated with me deeply because it mirrors the advice I wish I had followed earlier. Art is personal-it’s about your expression, your perspective, and the colors you choose to paint your world with. I wish I had focused more on creating for the pure joy it brought me rather than trying to fit into someone else’s idea of what art “should” be.
This advice is important to me because it reminds me that art is not about validation from others but about connecting with myself. Today, as I pursue my art career, it’s the joy of creation and self-expression that fuels my passion. I feel more fulfilled in my work because I have learned to trust my own instincts and vision. I’ve also come to understand that my personal happiness is the true reward, not the recognition or praise from others. Embracing this mindset has helped me find my unique voice as an artist, and I encourage my younger self-and anyone else on a similar journey-to keep their art true to who they are, no matter what.
Nikkita Narula, Founder, Subtle Chaos
Follow Your Heart and Study Art
If I could talk to my younger self just after high school, I’d encourage her to ignore everyone who tells her to play it safe. Follow your heart and study art. Life is too short not to spend every day doing what you love.
Instead, I chose the “safe” path and spent years in a recruitment position that never fully fulfilled me. Everything changed for me when I decided to pursue my artistic passion. I received an art diploma in 2016 and now own and operate a thriving branding and website design business.
It’s a dream come true, and while I’m grateful for where I am now, I frequently wonder how much sooner I could have discovered happiness if I had believed in myself from the beginning. My advice? Don’t wait; your passion is worth it.
Jemma Wiltshire, Business Owner, Jemma Wiltshire Design
Embrace Balance and Flexibility
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice about pursuing art, it would be to embrace balance and flexibility. I started with art and became absorbed in printmaking, which I found deeply engrossing and process-driven. It became my passion, and I was always pushing to create my next etching or lino cut. But looking back, I realise how important it is to diversify your creative practices and give yourself permission to take breaks.
Printmaking often requires specialised, expensive equipment. Focusing solely on it can feel stifling when tools aren’t accessible. Being multidisciplinary-exploring drawing, painting, or other forms of expression-helps you stay creative regardless of circumstances.
Another critical piece of advice would be to acknowledge the ebb and flow of creativity. Creative block is real and frustrating, but I’ve learned that taking breaks is necessary. A sketchbook, even for small doodles or ideas, keeps creativity alive without pressure. Those small sparks often grow into something meaningful later.
This advice is significant now because life is more demanding, balancing work, a business, and a baby. I often wish for more time to create but accept creativity adapts to life’s rhythm. A sketchbook is my lifeline, reminding me that art isn’t just about big projects but also nurturing small ideas.
I now run an art supply shop, which lets me share my creative passion with others. It’s rewarding to know the tools I provide might spark someone’s journey or rekindle their passion. This role keeps me connected to creativity in a fulfilling, meaningful way.
Luke Hickman, Owner, Hickman Design
Be an Artist, Not a Celebrity
I am a former actor & voice actor with 25 years experience.
If I could go back in time and meet that 18-year-old artist, who decided to pick up speech pathology and performing arts majors in college, I would tell myself this:
“If you really want to pursue this career, make sure you focus on being an ‘artist’ more than being well-known for your work. The true artist lives to express and reinvents himself/herself for a life-time while the artist seeking fame and fortune burns out in a matter of months.”
This is important to me because I now have nieces and nephews, who are going into the same profession I did after college, and I want to make sure they know how to stay committed.
I discovered this truth about being an “artist” through my fellow alumni who made a solid career of being an artist, more than I ever could. I was too focused on having a good time and getting attention. I just wanted to have a good time.
In my current career, this comes into play. How? I help people find jobs…for a full-time job. Finding jobs other than my desired profession was something I became accustomed to, especially when I wasn’t getting acting work 25 years ago.
Since 1995, I ended up working in 6 industries across 4 countries, and at one point my voice acting career merged with tech when social media became popular in 2007.
I still have a creative side to me that works well in business. But I am not an artist.
Steven Lowell, Sr. Reverse Recruiter & Career Coach, Find My Profession
Emotion Brings It Home
Whether you’re crafting balloon animals for a child’s birthday party, designing a website that brings a brand to life, or writing a campaign that speaks directly to its audience, joy is the invisible thread that ties creativity to meaning.
At Mandel Marketing, we strive to infuse that same emotion into everything we create for our clients. By embracing the simple yet profound idea that art—and marketing—are about connecting with people, we can all bring more authenticity and value to our work. So, as you pursue your creative endeavors, remember: the joy you feel in the process is what others will feel in the result. And that is a powerful thing.