What Andy Warhol can teach you about finding your confidence as an artist

On this episode of the Art with Soul Podcast, I share some thoughts on how you can develop the confidence to call yourself an artist, and to stand behind the art that wants to be expressed through you, in a way that matches your sensibilities. By way of Andy Warhol’s iconic Campbell Soup Can paintings and Lee Ufan’s From Line series of abstract minimalism paintings, I’ll help you challenge the notions of what “real art” means.

Powered by RedCircle

Player not working? Listen oniTunesSpotifyStitcherGoogle Podcasts, or Radio Public.

Fun fact: I can’t draw a stick figure to save my life — my figures end up with 3 legs, mismatched arms, are too long or too short, or have huge heads and tiny bodies — you get the drift, right?

For years, I thought that if I couldn’t draw a stick figure, I could never become an artist. And yet, here I am.

I still can’t draw stick figures. And I am an artist.

What does it mean to be an artist?

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to have had your paintings exhibited or your art hanging in galleries to be an artist. If you create art, you are in artist!

But I also know that it isn’t that easy to declare yourself an artist — there is a lot of baggage attached to that word…to that archetype, ranging from the starving artist trope, to the tortured soul, to divinely ordained, to eccentric, and many more.

But the fact is, no one out there can point to someone and declare “There, that person, or that kind of person, is an artist.”

You are the only one who can anoint yourself as an artist. And there’s a significant mindset shift that is needed to do that.

Tune in, as we talk about:

  • Some of the fears that hold us back from claiming the title of “artist”
  • Andy Warhol’s series of Campbell Soup Can Paintings
  • Minimalist abstract artist Lee Ufan’s From Line series
  • The lessons we can draw from these artists’ pursuit of their art

    and more!

Resources mentioned on this episode of Art with Soul Podcast

Lee Ufan: Marking Infinity A write-up of his work from the Guggenheim Museum.

Support the Art with Soul Podcast!

Share the episode with your creative friends, or better still, on Instagram! And don’t forget to tag me there {at moderngypsy.in}.

Subscribe in your favorite podcast player and get notified of new episodes as they release. The Art with Soul podcast is currently available on iTunesSpotifyStitcherGoogle Podcasts, and Radio Public.

Suggest a topic. If you have a question you’d like me to address on a future episode, please do fill out the form on this page {or DM me on Instagram}.

pain palette

Sign up for Studio Diaries

Weekly notes from an artist’s studio, including pages from my mixed media art journal, works in progress, notes on the creative process, and other ideas that capture my interest, along with regular discussion threads to chat about art.

Posted in The Art with Soul Podcast.

I’m an artist and art educator, podcaster, tarot reader, and writer. I share my discoveries along the path to inspire you to live a more creative, soul-centered life. Receive my love letters for more of my musings on life and creativity. P.S. I love Instagram - join me there?

Leave a Reply