10 Misconceptions About Small-Time Artists

Lately, it feels like (more than ever before) people have a lot of opinions about artists. The opinions include how we live, what we’re worth, what we should or shouldn’t be doing, how we should market ourselves…even whether we should exist at all in an increasingly “AI apologetic” world.

And if you’re not big time, selling a ton of work, showing up in galleries or creating for celebrities? Those assumptions pile on even faster. Small time artists have it ROUGH, and I want to talk about it. Consider this a reality check on the myths and assumptions that follow us around throughout our entire art journey, but specifically when we’re still building, still juggling other career paths and still making our art even when the world doesn’t see it.

I see a lot of misconceptions about small-time artists, but these are the ten I see most often (and have the strongest feelings about), so let’s squash them now.

Small-Time Artists don’t make any money: Well, we’re making something. We may not be paying all of our bills with our work, but many of us are generating a little extra income. For some of us it’s fun money, an emergency fund, or enough to cover supplies so we can keep creating and doing what we love. The problem isn’t the work; it’s the system that undervalues creative labor.
Small-Time Artists should take on any project they’re given, even if it’s not their style: I run into this one a LOT. At many past jobs, when they find out I’m an artist, suddenly they think I’m going to design logos, paint murals on the break room wall, even redo the interior design of the conference room. (All without extra pay, by the way!) And here’s the thing: every artist has probably tried a wide range of mediums, styles or creative outlets at some point, but that doesn’t mean we do everything. You wouldn’t hire a bread baker to supply your wedding cake, and I’m sure you wouldn’t ask your primary doctor to perform plastic surgery on your nose. So don’t ask a portrait artist to design your company logo, or a muralist to sketch your pet. Find the right kind of artist for the job—and yes, that might mean adjusting your budget.
This isn’t your full time job, it’s a hobby, so you shouldn’t be so serious about it: Imagine someone who works full-time and also goes to night school to become a nurse or engineer. Would you tell them to “not take it so seriously” because it’s not their main job yet? Exactly. Just because art doesn’t pay all my bills doesn’t mean it’s not serious. I work like it’s my job—because I want it to be.
Successful artists are BORN with their talent: Every one of us is born with the ability to create. And while some of us might have a little bit of that “natural talent” when we’re born, it doesn’t mean anything if we don’t put it to work. Talent means nothing without practice and dedication. Artists become artists by building on their abilities and constantly learning, working and improving. We commit to the process of creativity. It’s not magic, it’s not AI, it’s dedication and hard work.
Social media is the greatest tool for Small-Time Artists to be seen: Social media might be free (mostly) and it might have a huge reach, but as you’ve probably seen in recent years, social media rewards influencers, not working artists without a built-in audience. The algorithm buries the creators who actually need to be seen in favor of people who “pay to play” or are willing to chase trends and sell snake oil instead of doing what makes them feel alive. We’re told to chase trends, create viral content, and spend more time trying to figure out algorithms and what’s going to go “viral” instead of actually making our art, and even then, being good isn’t what gets you found. Ask any artist you know - they’ll tell you the same thing!
Small-Time Artists shouldn’t charge as much: Pricing has less to do with your size and success, and everything to do with your time and dedication to your craft. An artist’s pricing reflects time spent making a piece, materials needed to create it, and after all of that is covered…THEN they factor in experience. Why should we work for less than minimum wage just to fit someone else’s budget? Maybe it’s time for those “big-name” artists to raise their prices so the rest of us aren’t expected to give our work away. Visibility doesn’t equal value, but value still deserves to be paid.
Small-Time Artists should never turn down free exposure: I’m just going to say it: Exposure doesn’t pay the bills. Offering an unpaid gig to an artist and calling it an “opportunity” is just insulting. That doesn’t mean artists never work for free, but that decision should be ours to make. I’ll gladly donate to a cause I believe in, but don’t ask me to submit my work to your online magazine, have me pay you an “entry fee” and then have my compensation be “exposure to thousands of readers.” You will not be making money off of my hard work without me also getting something in return. Honestly, most “exposure” is just code for free labor, and us artists have HAD IT!
Traditional art has no value in today’s society - go get a real job: In times of crisis, grief, or uncertainty, people turn to art. Not just the visual kind, but all art. Think about the things you do when you’re having a bad day - watch your favorite movie? Listen to a special playlist? Read a good book? All of those things are ART. We turn to art for clarity, relief, and meaning. Art shapes culture. It documents, disrupts, restores, and helps people process things they don’t know how to say. Especially now, art isn’t extra—it’s essential.
Artists should be quiet and stick to matching my couch. No one cares about the message: Art has always carried messages, whether you like the message or not. Sometimes it’s political. Sometimes it’s personal. And yes, sometimes the message is just beauty, stillness, or calm. Think about the reason you felt so drawn to that seaside painting rather than the abstract piece done in the same exact colors. Sure, it matched your couch, but it made you feel a certain way. It matched the mood you had in your heart and wanted in the space where you will hang it. So yes, you chose art with a message without realizing it! Sometimes the message is obvious, and other times it’s not. But you’ll never stop artists from using their work to express what they think, feel, believe, or need to say. That’s the point!
If a Small-Time Artist wants to be successful, maybe they should just hire someone to help them: I can barely afford the bills I need to pay to keep myself and my family above water some months, so how am I supposed to hire a team? Unless I can pay someone a fair, livable rate, I’m not going to exploit their time or skills just to keep up appearances. Most small-time artists are doing everything alone, not because we want to, but because we have to. Trust me, we’d ALL like to have the ability to hire someone to do the jobs we hate or the ones we’re not good at!

So there you have it. That’s my list of the ten biggest misconceptions about artists, but particularly those of us who consider ourselves “small time artists.” Being a creative in today’s society is hard enough, let’s not make it harder! These aren’t just annoying stereotypes and misguided thoughts, they have power. They shape how artists are treated, valued, and dismissed in our world. And with AI nonsense on the rise, it’s only bound to get worse. So if you’re someone who is not a creative, maybe take our advice here and start treating your artist friends with a little more love, admiration and encouragement. (And get a budget to hire them!) And if you’re an artist like me, and you’ve ever found yourself pushing against these assumptions, I hope you know you’re not alone! Making art behind the scenes of your regular, full time life doesn’t make your journey any less valid. Making art even when you don’t feel like it’s getting you anywhere doesn’t mean you’re not trying. It just means you have had to carry more of the weight yourself, and you’re pushing against these misconceptions every day. Keep at it, my creatives - I believe in you.