The Mindset of an Artist
Hi, I’m Hariprasad Sukumaran, I want to discuss about something more important than any artistic technique—the mindset of an artist.
We all know that art often comes with negativity. Society frequently questions, “Can you really be a full-time artist?” or assumes that artists always struggle financially. The term “starving artist” is commonly thrown around, reinforcing this belief.
But let me tell you—this is a myth. It’s a misconception that every artist is struggling. There are countless successful artists, but society rarely highlights them. Instead, negativity takes center stage.
However, my goal today is not to change society’s perspective. Instead, I want to talk directly to you—the artist reading this blog—because the real issue isn’t just external negativity; it’s how artists themselves think about art.
The Problem: Artists and Their Mindset
Many artists constantly talk about their struggles, but the core issue is how they perceive art. Most struggling artists treat art like a typical job, expecting a direct exchange of work for money. But art is not a job—it doesn’t function on a simple input-output basis like many professions.
Yes, earning from art is possible—I’m doing it myself. I left a stable job to pursue art full-time. But if you approach art purely with the mindset of “How much will I get paid?”, you will likely struggle.
The Value of Art and Self-Respect
One of the biggest problems is that many artists lack self-respect. They undervalue their work and, in turn, allow others to undervalue it too. Let me give you an example.
I recently saw a video where a client asked an artist how much they charge for a portrait. The artist said ₹1000—a very low price for custom artwork. But the client responded, “I can only pay ₹400.” Instead of standing his ground, the artist accepted it with gratitude, almost begging the client to take his work.
This is where the issue lies. If you don’t respect your own art, how can you expect others to?
Art is a Passion, Not Just a Paycheck
Here’s something important to understand:
Think about it. How many people around you can truly create art? Not many. It’s a blessing. But to succeed, you must treat it with respect.
A real artist doesn’t create only for social media likes, money, or validation. True passion means you can create art even if no one sees it, even if no one pays for it, even if no one praises it. That is the mindset of a real artist.
- The purpose of art is not just to create income.
- Art is a unique gift, and not everyone has it.
- If you’re an artist, it means you have something rare—something special.
Think about it. How many people around you can truly create art? Not many. It’s a blessing. But to succeed, you must treat it with respect.
A real artist doesn’t create only for social media likes, money, or validation. True passion means you can create art even if no one sees it, even if no one pays for it, even if no one praises it. That is the mindset of a real artist.
Success Comes from Passion First, Then Income
Some of you might ask, “But how will I survive if I don’t focus on income?”
I’m not saying you shouldn’t earn from art. There are many ways to make money as an artist, and I will discuss it later. But success doesn’t come from chasing money—it comes from chasing passion.
Take Sachin Tendulkar as an example. Today, he’s one of the richest cricketers in the world. But do you think he started playing cricket just for money? No. He played for the love of the game. Money and success followed.
Likewise, if you truly love art, respect it, and stay disciplined, opportunities will come. Not instantly, not easily, but with dedication and the right mindset, success is inevitable.
Final Thoughts
To all artists reading this—respect your art, respect yourself, and focus on the passion first. If you build that foundation, success will follow.
