The beauty of being self taught
I am very grateful for being self taught. Being self taught means to have aquired knowledge and skill on one’s own initiative rather than, in this case, for example going to an art school.
It is not that I haven’t tried. I had this dream of a certain art course for several years. I thought that if I did it I would achieve so much more, that I would be happier, and have a lot more tools in my toolbox. Throughout the course my toolbox definitietly grew larger, but not as large as I thought it would. I found myself not thriving in that environment. While others might work well with limited subjects, ideas and colors, I am not that type of person. Everyone are their own person and should be allowed the thrive the way they wish and the way that works for them. Back in the day I tried painting just like some of my favorite artists, and I still do that sometimes to learn, but in the end, for me, it proves harder than going my own way.
I think something there is very important for an artist is to find your own voice. Having a consistent art style does not mean to do the same thing over and over, and I in particular enjoy to do many different things. I love to explore, to learn, and being self taught I have the freeroam that I wouldn’t have in other settings.
There was once where I focused solely on line art. Then I had a phase where I did portraits all the time. It changes depending on my muse and what I get inspired by, and I am not ashamed of it. Ever since achieving Himi Miya Gouache I have been much into creating landscapes with gouache, and I have learned a lot from that. For months I have admired artists like Lucky Melon and Bleesart on instagram and wanted to find my own voice in those colorful nature scenes. I have changed styles and subjects because I had the freedom to do so. Because it expanded my knowledge in the art world. Do I want to draw some animal skulls? Sure. A portait? Hey, I found something inspiring on Pinterest!! Why limit myself when I can do anything and everything?
I am eternally grateful for being able to do things in my own pace. And what works for me dosen’t work for everyone! Everyone have their own voice, inspiration and pace and workflows. As artists we are all different, and we should embrace that. Being self taught dosen’t make me any different, but it gives me the chance to do what works for me and in my own pace, which then results in the pile of artworks I have hanging up on my bedrooms walls, and every day I can look at them and remember when I created them, and what I felt when I did, and they were all created by the dining room table that is currently my stationary and have been for many many years.
Kat <3
