Playing the Long Game as an Artist
tips on surviving this bear market
In the fast-paced world of digital art, it's easy to get caught up in instant gratification and quick success. But as an artist, it's crucial to remember that your journey is a marathon, not a sprint. So, let's talk about playing the long game and why it's essential for your artistic growth.
Patience is Key: Success rarely happens overnight. It takes time, dedication, and countless hours of practice to refine your skills and develop your unique artistic voice. Embrace the process, be patient with yourself, and trust that your hard work will pay off in the long run.
Embrace Failure: Don't let setbacks discourage you. Failure is a natural part of the artistic journey. Every mistake and rejection is an opportunity to learn, grow, and evolve as an artist. Embrace those moments, extract the lessons, and use them to fuel your progress.
Consistency is King: Show up for your craft every day, even when inspiration seems elusive. Consistent practice hones your skills, builds discipline, and establishes a routine that nurtures creativity. Remember, it's the small steps taken consistently that lead to significant leaps forward.
Adaptability: The art world is ever-changing, with new technologies, trends, and mediums emerging. As an artist, it's crucial to embrace change and adapt to the evolving landscape. Experiment, push your boundaries, and stay open to new possibilities. Adaptability is the key to relevance.
Build Your Network: Surround yourself with fellow artists, mentors, and supportive communities. Collaborate, share ideas, and learn from one another. Your network not only provides invaluable support but also opens doors to opportunities and helps you navigate the art world.
Define Your Goals: Take time to reflect on your artistic goals and aspirations. Define what success means to you and set realistic, achievable milestones along the way. Having a clear vision will keep you focused, motivated, and aligned with your long-term objectives.
Invest in Yourself: Continuously invest in your artistic growth. Attend workshops, take classes, read books, and explore other art forms. Keep expanding your horizons and never stop learning. The more you invest in yourself, the more your art will flourish.
Celebrate Progress: Take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Recognize the progress you've made and the milestones you've reached. Celebrating your wins will boost your confidence and provide the motivation to keep pushing forward.
Longevity over Trends: While it's tempting to chase the latest trends, remember that true artistic fulfillment comes from staying true to your unique vision. Focus on creating timeless art that speaks to your authentic voice rather than chasing fleeting trends.
Enjoy the Journey: The artistic path is a lifelong adventure. Embrace the highs and lows, the successes and failures. Find joy in the process and cherish every moment of creating art. Remember, the most rewarding part of being an artist is the journey itself.
Remember, my friends, success is not defined solely by external validation or fame. It's about the growth, the fulfillment, and the impact your art has on yourself and others. So, keep playing the long game, trust the process, and never stop creating. You've got this
Artist hand over Alexis Olin
Hello, my name is Alexis Olin. I'm an artist @alexisolinart and photographer @darklunni
who started taking photos seven years ago. How did it happen that I have more followers on my photo account? Let me tell you.
I have been drawing since childhood. In 1999, my comics was published for the first time, and in 2001, I became the chief editor of the comic magazine 'K9,' which was published for seven years. My inspirations were Moebius and French comics, as well as Katsuhiro Otomo, through whom I discovered manga.
During this period, I organized several international festivals in Kyiv (Ukraine). I also served on the jury of the prestigious Angouleme Comics Festival in France, which now attracts around 250,000 visitors.
After I finished publishing the magazine in 2008, there was a period when I organized parties and often played as a DJ. At some point, I redirected my creative focus back to painting and started exhibiting my artwork in galleries. In 2016, I launched the streetwear and nightclubbing brand Métrique.
One day, I took my friend's Olympus Mju II camera to one of the parties, and after developing the shots, I realized that they had a distinct style different from my drawings. So, it was better to create a separate page for photography on Instagram. Up until now, 95% of my photography has been done using film cameras.
As an artist, my tools are paper, Faber-Castell pens, Photoshop, and Procreate. As a photographer, I use Leica, Canon, Yashica, and Pentax.
During that period, photography allowed me to move away from painting portraits with brushes. I could achieve results faster through photography. My inspiration came from Helmut Newton and the many photographers I discovered on Instagram. I decided that I could now concentrate on drawing in my more comic-style.
In 2021, a friend with whom I worked on the brand suggested that I pay attention to NFTs and the crypto market. In March, I decided to try showcasing my art, and in April, my photography. Just like with Instagram, I realized that people would get confused, so separate pages were necessary.
At some point, I thought that photography in NFTs, other than landscapes, wouldn't gain much traction. Some collectors dictated market conditions. However, street photography gained momentum, and it gave a boost to sales.
During that time, I couldn't keep up with drawing Meditation Rabbit project, which started becoming popular thanks to @punk4156 and @XCOPYART .But at the same time, my Night Mood photo collection started selling quickly, so I focused heavily on my photo account and didn't visit my art account for weeks. That was a mistake.
Nowadays, I dedicate 50/50 of my time to both accounts and I'm looking for a team to create a Discord community. You can find my work on SuperRare, Foundation, KnownOrigin, Objkt, and OpenSea.
It's precisely there that I've met many talented artists, photographers, collectors, and developers, for whom I'm grateful for their support. It's an incredible community that supports each other 24/7