Seeking Validation and Earning Credibility as an Artist (#129)

Artists crave validation by others. You want your work to be appreciated. Being validated by others helps build confidence and shows us we're on the right path. But are you looking for validation in the right places?

In this solo episode of The Art Biz, I address validation and earning credibility—where you are probably seeking it, where you might want to look for it instead, and what it really means about your art. Ultimately, validation only comes from within, and others are more likely to pay attention knowing that you value your own work. I want to help you realize the various ways it is possible to earn credibility for your art, many of which you will see that you are already doing.

Highlights

• Defining validation, self-validation, and credibility. (2:02)

• The wrong places to turn for self-validation. (3:40)

• The ultimate expression of validation for an artist. (5:15)

• Non-social media examples of validation in the art world. (6:43)

• The pinnacle of exhibition venues—the art museum. (9:45)

• The value of writing about speaking about your work. (10:55)

• Seeking validation from the media on a broader level. (11:45)

• Achieving a higher level of self validation. (14:08)

Mentioned

• Episode 123 Qualities Galleries Are Looking For in Their Artists with Jeremy Tessmer

• Episode 124 Being an Artist with Geoffrey Gorman

• Episode 118 Advocating for Artists in Their Communities with Louise Martorano

• Episode 116 How One Curator Works with Artists at a Regional Art Center with Collin Parson

• Episode 63 Pitching Your Story to My Podcast, or Anyone Else's

• Episode 110 An Unusual Path to Finding Art Commissions with Leisa Collins

• Episode 87 Secrets from Copying a Masterpiece with Liliane Milgrom

• "Stop Seeking Validation from Others" by Sherry Gaba in Psychology Today

• Tony Oursler

The Art Biz Connection

The Wildly Productive Get Organized Challenge for Your Art Biz

Resources

• Show notes, images, and listener comments

• How to Price Your Art free report

• Art Biz Connection artist membership