I recently signed created a profile with a unique company called Pikcha.  Most print-on-demand sites allow artists to sell an unlimited number of prints, Pikcha has decided to go a route of exclusivity.  Each work is limited to 100 fine-art prints, making for a high-end collectors experience, especially if you are new to collecting art and looking for a lesser-known artist that speaks to you.  I have eight works of art exclusive to Pikcha, I plan on adding more in the future.

“In its first month, Melbourne-based start-up Pikcha has welcomed artist representation from more than 30 participating countries. The ambitious team has big dreams for the future of the business and the marketplace at large.”
    - Pikcha Blog

I am about to tell you who your new favorite artist is... But first, I am going to ask who your current favorite artist is?  Do you have the answer?  Why are they your favorite? Is it inspiration?  Or their style?  The Subject matter?  How does this other artist make you feel when you view their work?  Last question, does viewing other artists’ artwork make you feel as good as making and viewing your art?  I never feel as good viewing another artists’ work as I have with the experience of my artwork.  Take the time to compare the feelings of your art versus how your feelings of other artists.

Have you ever asked yourself, is this is my last chance to be an artist?  I remember watching an interview with an American Idol contestant that cried while saying, "This is my last chance.  If I don’t make it here, I’m done.”  The strange thing is, they were in their early twenties.  I immediately thought, you have your entire life in front of you so why would you put that limitation on yourself?  

I want you to consider this... If you truly love something with your whole heart, you won’t give up on it, ever.  I want to make my art whether I get paid or not.  If you feel like your purpose is to be an artist, you will always feel the need to create fine art and if you stop making art, you will find yourself feeling that something is missing in your life.  I have never completely stopped making art, but there were some periods in my life where I did not create fine art consistently and I definitely felt my mood go down.  I believe that we are all inherently creative, but for those of us who are in tune with our creativity, whatever it may be, feel an absence when we do not exercise our creativity muscle, so to speak.  Don’t put odd limitations on yourself just because it's not happening in the exact way or time frame that you expected.  You may miss out on reaching your full potential; after all, art helps you grow, so why stunt that growth with arbitrary guidelines that only restrict you?

Wherever you are in your journey, remember that you don’t have to be better than everyone else, just better than you were yesterday.