Finding Your Artistic Style

You might be sitting there, staring at your artwork, wondering if you’re doing anything right at all. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many of us artists have felt the existential dread that creeps in after yet another caffeine-fueled session of self-critique. But hey, there’s a bright side here—if you’re feeling lost, it might be time to look at the patterns in your work. Yes, those recurring ideas and themes that keep stubbornly showing up. Turns out, they might just be the breadcrumbs leading you toward your true artistic voice.

Themes are those central ideas that sneak their way into your art, even when you swear you’re doing something new. Maybe it’s creatures with fangs (yep, that’s mine). Or maybe it’s an emotion that you just can’t seem to shake off. Whatever it is, those recurring elements are your subconscious speaking, probably shouting at this point, to give you a clue about your artistic direction.

Actionable Steps (because we all need actionable steps):

1. Review a selection of your past work and look for repeated themes. If that sounds like a nightmare because you can’t stand looking at your old stuff, try squinting a bit. Blurry vision softens the critique.
2. Write down recurring subjects or emotional tones. Create a list of your top 3-5 most common themes. Yes, I said list. You’re an artist, not an accountant, but trust me, this helps.
3. Ask yourself why these themes resonate with you. This is where it gets deep. Be honest; are you creating the same things because you’re genuinely interested, or is it because you’re scared to try something new? (Ouch, I know.)

Now, don’t expect some earth-shattering epiphany right away. Sometimes, this process is more about peeling back the layers of self-doubt and insecurity than it is about finding a singular, grand “aha” moment.

Finding patterns isn’t about settling into a predictable groove. It’s about discovering what fuels your creativity, so you can dive deeper into your work, or pivot away from it when it starts feeling stale. Because, let’s be real: no one wants to be that artist who churns out the same thing over and over because they’re too scared to try something new.

So, the next time you’re questioning your work, embrace the patterns that emerge. These patterns are like signposts, pointing you in a direction you may not have consciously chosen. But there they are, waving at you like, “Hey, why don’t you give me some attention for once?”