How to Know You've Made It As an Artist ⋆ Natasha Nashadka

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Am I an Artist?

I used to say that I wasn’t an artist, I just played one on TV.

I don’t think I wanted to be pressured into the “artist” mold, but eventually, art saturated everything I did and I finally had to admit, “I am an artist.”

The Signs

Looking back, there were signs, of course. And not just your typical signs. Sure, I drew a lot of pictures, but there was more sinister evidence.

It started in grade school. More than once art projects I completed went missing (read “stolen”), or got lost (as I’d say nowadays, “went walkabout”).

Two memorable incidents stand out.

The Name

There was the time we were supposed to make name signs for our desks for parents’ night at the school. Working on those name signs took a hefty portion of the hour. I had filled the white space around my name with several colorful outlines.

I was quite pleased with it, but the next day it was nowhere to be found and I had nothing to show on parent’s night. (This particular loss disturbed me the most because at the time I believed I couldn’t duplicate that beautiful artwork.)

The Sculpture

Then there was the time we were assigned to make sculptures out of clay for our Mayan culture unit. This was probably in middle school. I made this pretty neat 10″ tall Mayan warrior complete with a tunic and ornate helmet. He had to be left overnight for drying.

But the next day… he was gone.

I’m sure something that size wasn’t “accidentally misplaced”.

A Little Anecdote

I once had a teacher in school who had his work claimed by another (I’m not exactly sure how that worked). However, my teacher had painted secret things into all of his paintings. When presenting his claim before the court, he would take the judge aside and show him the secret images. It was damning evidence indeed when the interloper couldn’t explain what the symbols were.

Alas, this is an ability I don’t possess.

Congratulations, You’ve “Made” It

But in the long run, I guess that’s how you know you’re successful – when people start stealing your art!

I’m not sure how I would feel of my art getting stolen now. In the digital realm, art is stolen all the time. Sometimes innocently enough but oftentimes maliciously.

Is This What Success Feels Like?

Will I feel I had reached some level of success when my art is stolen? (Notice I didn’t say “if”.)

Maybe, but I doubt it. I think I would feel the same as when I was a child: confused and a little hurt.

Digital theft of your artwork is impossibly hard to pursue and rectify to the point where I’ve been told it’s not really worth it.

Still you can’t help pursue your calling in life.

Here’s a little progression gallery of the painting I did for this post:

“Reflection” – oil on foamcore, 5×7

Monica Bruno says:

February 26, 2016 at 9:24 PM

Well, one only has to look at your work to know you really are an artist! There’s no doubt about it. And, I am not. I’ve never had anyone steal any of my artwork from school or otherwise. I’ll have to stick to writing.

Natasha says:
February 28, 2016 at 2:32 AM

Yes, I think I’ve finally come to accept it, but I didn’t for a long, long time.

sue says:

February 28, 2016 at 10:56 AM

You truly are an artist Natasha and I so admire your work – especially as I can’t draw a stick figure. It must have been devastating to lose your work – did you ever find out what happened to them? I love your coloring pages they help me relax.