Last week, during a conversation about being an artist, someone asked me a question that stopped me in my tracks.

“How do you know when to call it a day?”
They meant it sincerely — not as a criticism, but a genuine question about what it means to keep going in a creative career that doesn’t follow a straight path. Later that same day, someone else asked what I do with all my paintings, almost as if to say: What’s the point in making them if they’re not for anyone in particular?

At first, I wasn’t quite sure how to respond. But both questions stayed with me — not because they were harsh, they  were asked with genuine curiosity, not malice. But they cut deep because they’re questions we artists often ask ourselves — usually in our quietest, most uncertain moments.

The Power of Consistency: Turning Up Matters, Especially When You Don’t Feel Like It

One of the most consistent messages I’ve heard and learnt from successful artists is this: Just keep showing up. Whether it’s to your studio, your sketchbook, your screen, or your shed — turn up, put in the time, make the work.

And so, this post is a shout out for every artist who’s ever doubted their path. It’s for anyone who’s ever tried to make a living from their art — who’s battled self-doubt, faced silence, or wondered if they’re on the right track. Because the truth is: you never really know how close you are. And that’s exactly why you have to keep going.

There’s a common myth that success — particularly in the arts — comes like a lightning bolt. A lucky break. A viral moment (even more so in the world of social media). But for most artists, it looks very different. It’s slow, quiet, and cumulative. It’s what happens when you show up day after day, even when it feels like no one’s watching.

American painter, Chuck Close once said, “Inspiration is for amateurs — the rest of us just show up and get to work.” That quote has grounded me more times than I can count. Because showing up creates momentum. And momentum is where the magic lives — not in one-off flashes of brilliance, but in steady, committed creation.

The truth is, a lot of people give up too soon. And we never hear about them, because their story stops just as something exciting was about to happen. Which brings me on to the important topic of self-belief…

Believe in the Work (and in Yourself)

I remember listening to an artist’s presentation where they said “if you don’t believe in what you’re doing, why should you expect anybody else to?” This question has stuck with me because self-belief can be difficult. Especially when the world is quiet. When a post doesn’t get the likes you thought it would, a piece doesn’t sell, or your inbox is still empty. But self-belief isn’t arrogance. It’s the quiet confidence that what you’re doing matters — even if only to you right now.

Every time I’ve had doubts — real, heavy, honest doubts — something unexpected has surfaced. A message from someone who found meaning in my work. A sale I wasn’t expecting. An opportunity to exhibit. It’s rarely the result of chasing recognition. It’s the by-product of staying the course.

Someone Is Watching — Even If You Can’t See Them

One of the strangest and most beautiful parts of being an artist in this connected world is that you never truly know who’s watching. Who’s following your progress. Who’s quietly rooting for you. Who’s waiting for the right moment to reach out.

Not every opportunity announces itself with a fanfare. Some arrive unannounced — through a message, a share, a recommendation behind closed doors. But none of that can happen if you’ve already packed it in.

The art we make, the paths we follow — starts and ends with our own commitment. To continue, even when we’re unsure. To believe, even when no one else has said it out loud yet.

Recently, I’ve noticed something change. Artists I’ve admired for a long long time, people I looked up to from a distance, have started to take notice. A comment here. A kind word there. Some have shared advice. Others have sent a message of encouragement. It’s not a tidal wave, but it’s a sign. A quiet reminder that the work is speaking. That it’s finding its way out into the world.

Don’t Stop Now

The road is hard. It’s uncertain. It can feel lonely and long. But so many of the artists we admire today were once on the verge of giving up. They just didn’t.

You might be one conversation, one opportunity, one piece away from a breakthrough. Or maybe ten. But you’ll never know if you stop.

So to the artist reading this — the one doubting whether it’s worth it — this is your reminder: keep going. Not because it’s easy. But because you’ve already come so far. Because your voice matters. Because your work matters. Even if the world hasn’t caught up yet.

In the End, You’re Not Alone

Every artist I know — whether emerging or established — has faced this question: Is it time to stop?
And every one of them, at some point, chose to keep going. That’s what sets them apart.

If you’re an artist trying to make a living from your work — keep going. If you’ve ever asked, “What’s the point?” — keep going. If you’ve ever felt invisible — keep going.

Because success might be closer than you think. Someone might be watching. A door might be about to open. But only if you’re still there to walk through it.

Art takes courage. And so does continuing. But you’re not alone on this path. We’re all in the same messy, beautiful boat — trying to make sense of the world through paint, pencil, pixels, or prose.

So, if you’re standing at that crossroads, unsure of what’s next, take this as a sign. Keep painting. Keep showing up. Keep believing. You never know who’s watching from the shadows — or what tomorrow might bring.