Creativebug Dear Aspiring Artist…
This week we interviewed Liana Allday for a little more insight on her journey as an “artist.”
Liana Allday is the editorial director at Creativebug, where she develops classes with the best artists and makers on the planet. She is an avid sewer, knitter, watercolor painter, and writer, and she doesn’t shy away from anything that involves numbered steps. She is a big fan of zigzag stitch, polka dots, and cowboy boots and loves being surrounded by creativity. She feels grateful to have chosen a career where she feels inspired every single day.
1) When did you first call yourself an “artists” and why?
I first noticed that I was calling myself an artist when I updated my Instagram profile and referred to myself as “watercolor painter, dog appreciator, editorial director at Creativebug” in that order. I thought, hmmm, I guess I’m starting to take my painting more seriously?
2) In your experience, what is one of the most challenging parts of being an artist?
Finding time to practice consistently and experiment outside of my comfort zone. I have a lot of go-to motifs and techniques which provide consistent results, but sometimes it’s hard to push beyond those safe places to see what else I’m capable of creating.
3) How did you find your style?
I spent about a year making pretty terrible art and not caring at all about how it turned out. I enjoyed practicing and sharing what I made on social media and engaging with other artists — the “quality” of the artwork was secondary to those priorities. One day, my husband gave me a new set of high-quality watercolor paints and brushes and it totally changed the way I approached the page. The colors were deeper, the linework more interesting, the work was messier (but in a good way). Switching to higher-quality materials after spending a year practicing with cheaper materials was a major turning point.
4) What do you wish someone had told you about becoming an artist?
To be extra kind to yourself, especially when you don’t get very many “likes” on your Instagram photos. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter at all if the painting turned out well or if anyone liked it at all. The beauty of making art is that you sat down to make something, and you probably felt pretty great while you were making it.
5) What else would like to share about your journey that you think is important for aspiring artists?
My desire to make all kinds of art comes and goes. I think we have to be patient with ourselves and really tune into what we want to be making and why we want to be making it. Sometimes my desire to create is very practical, and other times it is very meditative. Some days I don’t want to make anything at all, and that’s okay, too. But at a certain point, you have to be proactive and push yourself to begin somewhere or else you might wander into complacent territory.
Are you ready to take your art to the next level? Discover our professional series with a 15-Day Guide to Professional Practices with Lisa Solomon.
PLUS Stay tuned for Treasure Hunt Your Artistic Style: A 10-Day Guide with Lilla Rogers
