Every artist, regardless of experience, brings something entirely unique into the world, whether it's the way they use colour, the stories they tell, or the emotions they express.
Unfortunately though, in a world where trends and external influences are louder than ever, it's all too easy, especially if it's also your primary means of making a living, to get sucked into the trap of painting what you think will sell, or will get the most engagement online, or will keep a gallery happy. This is pretty much a sure-fire way of eventually burning yourself out. I've seen it happen to Magdalena and I've been through it in my own field (I.T.). Basically, if you're selling your creative ability without being true to what really makes you tick, eventually there will almost certainly be a day when you either lose sight of your own inner vision or simply can't express your art any more. The self-judgement and the doubts will cry out too loudly and drown out the creative voice.
Your most powerful and compelling work will come from embracing your unique voice. It's your creative fingerprint, something no one else can replicate. When you trust your own path and avoid the pressure of trends and "likes" and doing what you're told you should do, and instead you develop patience with your style, you give yourself the space to grow into the artist you’re meant to be.
From a personal perspective, the most exciting art that I see emerging from Magdalena's studio unsually comes soon after she's had a "fuck it all!" moment. When she releases herself from the (usually self-imposed) shackles of what she imagines everyone expects from her, there's this release of creative energy that will push her into new artistic territory, where the safety nets are missing and there's no right or wrong. Those phases almost invariably add something to her unique, complex and beautiful vision of the art she'd like to make. To her unique voice.
In this chapter, we’ll look at ways to embrace your unique creative voice, with tips on how to stay true to your journey, resist the pull of trends, and cultivate patience as your style evolves.
Trusting Your Own Path
As an artist, it's easy to look at others and think, “I should be where they are by now,” or “Why haven’t I found my style yet?” These thoughts often arise, regardless of discipline, when we’re comparing our journey to someone else’s. But every artist’s path is different, and those differences are what make the creative world so rich and diverse.
I was four years old the first time I went on an airplane. I remember thinking about that holiday a few years later and reflecting on the fact that my sister had experienced being on the plane too, but as she was only one year old at the time she probably wouldn't remember the trip in the same way that I did. It would have had a different effect on her. This was quite an eye-opening thought for a kid, probably no more than 10 years old, and it was the first time I recall thinking about the fundamental truth that "events" happen to everyone at different times in their lives (and sometimes things don't happen at all) and that they affect everyone differently.
Trusting your own path means letting go of the idea that there’s a "right" timeline for your growth. Maybe another artist is exhibiting their work in galleries while you’re still exploring different mediums. That doesn’t mean you’re behind, it simply means your journey is unfolding in a different way. Each step you take, whether it seems big or small, is part of your unique process.
When you trust your path, you give yourself permission to create without the burden of comparison. You start to see your own progress more clearly, and you honour the time it takes to develop your voice and style.

Avoiding the Pressure of Trends
In the age of social media, it’s easy to feel the pressure to follow trends or chase validation through likes, shares, or comments. Maybe you've noticed that certain styles, subjects, or themes are getting a lot of attention, and you start to wonder if you should be doing the same. While trends can be inspiring at times, they can also pull you away from your authentic voice if you're creating work just to fit in.
The challenge is to stay true to your own vision, even when the allure of trends is strong. Your unique perspective is what makes your art valuable. That's not to say that trends can't be useful; if something's happening out there that resonates with you and the way you work, great! Milk it for all it's worth! But if you constantly shift your focus to what’s popular, you risk losing that authenticity. Over time, this can lead to frustration or burnout, as you’re no longer creating from a place of genuine expression.
Staying grounded in your voice requires a kind of quiet confidence, a trust that, even if your work doesn’t fit into current trends, it still has value. In fact, it may have even more value because it’s uniquely yours.
Developing Patience with Your Style
One of the most common struggles for artists is the feeling that they haven’t "found" their style yet. It can be frustrating to feel like your work is all over the place, with no cohesive identity. But here’s the thing: finding your style isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s a process that takes time, experimentation, and patience. What's more, your style will change. Just as you feel you've perfected your style, you'll see or come up with something new that will make you want to expand your horizons a little bit more, and that's great! That's the creative fires still burning.
If you judge yourself harshly for not having a defined style, you might rush the process or try to force something that doesn’t feel natural. This can stifle your creativity and slow down the organic evolution of your voice.
Instead, focus on experimenting without the pressure of needing everything to "fit" together perfectly. Over time, patterns will emerge in your work; certain themes, colours, techniques, or emotions that you consistently gravitate toward. These are the seeds of your style, and they’ll grow stronger as you keep creating.
Allowing yourself the patience to explore and evolve is key to developing a style that feels authentic and true to who you are. Trust that your style will come, and that it’s okay if it takes time to emerge.

Practical Exercises and Tips
1. Trusting Your Path: The "Timeline Reflection"
Take a moment to reflect on your creative journey so far. Write down key moments where you’ve grown as an artist, whether it was learning a new skill, completing a challenging project, or even overcoming a creative block. Then, think about where you are right now and where you want to go.
How it Helps: This exercise helps you see your unique journey more clearly, acknowledging that growth takes time. It reinforces that there’s no "right" timeline for artistic development, just your own.
Tip: Keep this reflection handy to revisit when you’re feeling discouraged or stuck. It can serve as a reminder of how far you’ve come and where you’re headed.
2. Avoiding the Pressure of Trends: The "Creative Vision Board"
Create a vision board that represents your artistic voice. You can use magazine clippings, online images, or even sketches of your own. Include elements that inspire you, not because they’re trendy, but because they resonate with you on a deeper level. This can be colours, textures, themes, or symbols that feel authentic to your work.
How it Helps: This board serves as a visual reminder of what makes your voice unique. It’s a way to ground yourself when you’re feeling tempted by trends or external validation.
Tip: Place your vision board somewhere you can see it regularly, whether it’s in your studio or as a digital collage on your phone. Use it as a compass to keep your work aligned with your true vision.
3. Developing Patience with Your Style: The "Style Exploration"
Set aside time each week for pure experimentation. Try different techniques, materials, or subjects without worrying about the end result. Allow yourself to create without the pressure needing to "fit" into a particular style.
How it Helps: This exercise encourages creative freedom and helps you discover new aspects of your voice. Over time, you’ll start to see common threads in your work, which can help shape your evolving style.
Tip: Don’t judge the outcome of these experiments; focus on the process. Keep everything you create, even if it feels unfinished or imperfect. These pieces are part of your journey toward developing a cohesive style.
4. Affirming Your Voice: "Artistic Affirmations"
Choose or write affirmations that remind you to trust your unique voice. For example, "My voice is valuable", "I am on my own path", or "My style will evolve in its own time". Repeat these affirmations when you’re feeling uncertain or tempted to follow trends.
How it Helps: Positive affirmations can help reframe negative thoughts and self-doubt. They reinforce your commitment to staying true to your voice and trusting your journey.
Tip: Write your affirmations on sticky notes and place them around your workspace as gentle reminders throughout your day.
If you have any exercises or tips that may help artists struggling to find their unique voice, please let us know in the comments!
Next post we'll look into shifting your mindset and how to rewire negative thought patterns.
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