An Artist conversation About Creative Imposter Syndrome And Insecurity - Tips For Artists 

Jon acuff: “never compare your beginning to someone else’s middle”

It can help to realize whenever you’re looking at other people’s work you’re generally seeing less then 10% of of their journey of how they got there and it’s the same with all of us. You’re never seeing the blood sweat and tears and MISTAKES they made to get to the end which looked probably the same or very similar to what you went through to get to the end this time.

I had an artist friend that kept reminding me that she was self-taught. This went on for the whole two years that I knew her. It was like a badge of authenticity to her. She said it like made her superior. So it goes both ways. It didn’t make me feel like an imposter, it made me feel like I was being shamed, even thoughI knew there was nothing wrong with the quality of my art.

I have evolved as an artist to a place of perpetual "happy accidents." I actively seek to make mistakes in my drawings and then use these to create harmony and beauty out of disorder and ugliness. I try to stay in a mental space of child-mind where there are no limits, judgement or preconceived ideas of how something should look or be done. The Japanese have their wabi-sabi-finding beauty and value in imperfection. A lot if not all of people's insecurities stem from their personal fear-I am not good enough- and the self-hate caused by it. If you allow yourself to look with honesty at that fear and track where and/or whom it originated from, allow yourself to feel the emotion that you have avoided feeling and then release it, eventually the old false beliefs will dissipate. Peoples judgement about others is usually what they believe about themselves. They are simply projecting their own fear and self-hate on others. By releasing you own, you no longer will sabotage yourself and because your wound is healed, others' judgement will not affect you. Sorry for the long ramble! Hope this helps. Love you guys!

Feeling your pain Klee.... found me 55 years old, self taught, been arting and crafting all my damn life.... explaining myself to a twenty year old electrical apprentice because he started off with an art degree and was in my house helping to fix my boiler looking at my paintings 🤪 I am such an idiot 😂😂😂 At the moment I'm painting someone's five cats.....I hate painting fur because I find it hard and gives me such anxiety because I wanna do it right.... however most of the stuff I do for people involves pets or machinery which also pushes me out of my comfort zone. We are all winging it! 😂😂

How do you guys always put out a video of exactly what I need to hear or see, exactly when I need to hear or see it!!🤯 One of my biggest struggles, however, is that most of the assumptions/judgments that I get seem to come from family and it's so hard to ignore it from people who I care about. It absolutely knocks me down every time they don't believe in me. But I will keep getting back up, a little bit bruised, but *I* believe in me & knowing that I will prove them wrong is a part of my motivation! Love you guys!!🤩

Yep ,you are correct, push on and out of your comfort zone, you always learn so much that way, I am 60 years old, and it continues to be a learning process, and I love it 🥰

Oh dearest Klee, you are AMAZING!!! Just for the fact that you put your heart out there and openly talk about what so many of us ( meaning ME) think, makes you such a bright light in the world... You need to apply to yourself all the great advice you give to us, little miss Red Flame 😊... Rafi you are such a great motivator, every word you said resonated with me. please keep these beautiful encouraging videos coming.. 🙋🏻

I like klee’s comment “Are you art shaming me?“ That goes a long way with dealing with other artists. Also I ask myself “am I art shaming me?“ then see what’s really going on with me.

What you hit on--that it’s not so much the fear of making mistakes as it’s the fear of others’ assumptions about you-that’s huge. It’s the preloaded fear of “I can’t do this.” Someone sees something I have done without realizing it took a long time to even conceive of it. Then, they expect genius to fly off me like sparks from a sparkler. Or they see one little detail that catches their eye, a detail that occurs simply because of the way a tool behaves, and they will expect I can casually produce the next Van Gogh, every time. It has helped me to realize that when we are depressed, our sense of fight-or-flight kicks in and our perception narrows. (That’s not my idea. A psychologist told me.) We literally cannot see other options than what we are hyper focusing on. All we have to do is wait it out (or better yet, find a distraction), because this state is temporary.

Klee, I love your jewelry! There are as many people that’ll love your art as hate it. Art is visceral.

What I got from this is having the confidence in yourself to just be who we each are "regardless" of how we are judged by others. The ability to simply be comfortable within our own skins no matter what. When you said Flailing... yes that is me everyday when I paint. And today I have a craptastic piece on the easel. You already read my crazy frustration with the colab. Oddly, once it was uploaded I was able to suddenly see what direction I really wanted to go. Glad I did as I now actually like it. Definitely a journey. Time to get back to the craptastic mess. Thank you for this video, I really needed this boost today. Much Love to you Kids!! 💜💜💜

i might be back to rewatch - Imposter syndrome hit me hard when I dropped off a piece at an art prize today - another finalist was there who has won national prizes and I couldn't even make eye contact much less say hi... social anxiety mixed with imposter syndrome is such a dead fish combo...

This conversation really speaks to me. I’ve slowly but surely become much more accepting of my mistakes / failures and now just expect them to happen and actually enjoy the process of failure . It’s part of the learning process and I always always ALWAYS learn something of immense value from the screw up. I think a lot of the insecurities stem from my childhood at school and being told by my teacher if I’m not good at something instantly then it’s not something I should pursue.

Thank you for this. My daughter learned about Imposter Syndrome, and instantly recognized it in several family members. Facts are my jam, so that knowledge helped a lot, actually. After we started using different wavelengths to study the old masters, learning that they frequently painted their own works over many times helped tremendously! Everyone makes mistakes...mistakes get worked on until they're corrected, and become as they should be. I also have issues feeling judged if someone only sees the little crafty things I do in between larger projects. I've got a painting I'm very happy with on hold due to issues that aren't relevant here, but I don't want to be judged by the cat toys I made one night while listening to podcasts.

When someone is telling me how well I've done something, I instantly start explaining how I'm not actually good and undermine my own accomplishment. I think people who have anxiety or depression, have been bullied or otherwise traumatized feel this even more deeply.

Last Sunday my pastor gave a sermon about fear. There’s good fear and bad fear. He challenged us to live with only the fear of God. Not scared but respectful. So all other fears pale in comparison. He asked us what we would do if we knew we couldn’t fail. So I’m going for it (making RU-vid videos). I’m also posting my art online and signing up for festivals. My next hurdle is to approach businesses to display my art for sale. 🙏🏻🥰🙏🏻 Another reminder to myself when I feel less deserving is that I’m a child of God made in His image.

I appreciate you for publicly admiting to the insecurity so many of us feel so that we can all learn. We need brave and compassionate people in this world and you are a fine example.

Talking from experience here (not a jugment) all my life I took art classes, multiples degrees in art, what happen? I have a really hard time letting go, it is a bit like every degrees I earned, gave me a badge, some technique BUT castrated my creativity. Every time I start a drawing, it is rigid, I draw what I see, it is difficult to draw or paint from my imagination. I would love to have your freedom. I suppose with practice I could go back to that. Even now, because I did not go for the University degree, sometimes I feel inferior, just like you said Klee, even do I think maybe could kick ass in some other things lol. Also, because I can't (for now) be a full time artist, some say I am not an artist, a professional artist do it full time, I am a hobby painter (maybe not sure if it make sense in english).

OMG! I've struggled with this syndrome much longer than I'd like to admit 😩 Thank you guys for being human and being honest with your journey. Both of you are AMAZING ARTISTS!!!! No need to concern yourselves with self doubts.

“Analysis paralysis” wow, those two words really struck a chord with me.

There was a Harvard Business Review article recently, it basically said education is only about 11-17% of what you even need to work, the rest is all on the job. But we as a society have placed ridiculous amounts of weight on a piece of paper. A piece of paper that around the 1940s, was actually an 8th-grade education. I love that you brought that bit up. Imposter Syndrom sucks ass. Autodidacts are awesome!... biased because I am one too. But it's how the old masters started, then trade schools happened, and honestly esp in art education, there are some things you can only learn by yourself, or if you're lucky from another more experienced artist. Great video.

Using RU-vid, I’m teaching myself how to draw and paint and failing so many times along the way. This experience has been humbling and I’m grateful for honest and inspirational videos like yours. Thank you. 👍🏿😎

Passed my driving test first time aged 50,now 8 years later I don’t drive because I feel like I’ve got imposter syndrome because I feel I didn’t deserve it! I passed first time but didn’t make mistakes…so not earned!!! Today I’ve realised it’s from years of being told I’m not good enough and a failure and WILL fail.. Weather it’s my fibre crafts,card making or my creativity (and all sells) So time to change mindset and start the new journey

Imposter syndrome. The fear that people will judge me through the eyes of my insecurities.

When I am doubting myself, I try to remember the awesome customers that are wowed with my abilities and that inspires me to keep going. I also try to look at new learning experiences as "on the job" training, Things I have never done will require some practice. I also remember that when I stop competing with others and just do what is in my heart and thoughts, that I do much better...... I also have to say that I love the way you both are so supportive of each other and listening to the two of you is always so therapeutic and encouraging in my own life ! I am glad that you share art and life in the same sentence.......But now I want to hear Klee sing!

This is a huge issue for me. I always feel like an imposter. I say that about myself often. I had no clue it was a "syndrome." I said this to my father in law who said he feels the same. He's a sought after professor who has written many books. They fly him all over the world to give lectures. I'm going to try to get out of my head and move pass this feeling. Thank you for this post. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

It's so good to be reminded that this is all normal

When you look at photos of the paintings and drawings of the ancient peoples on the planet, you never dismiss their creations as not being valid, beautiful or powerful just because they did not have a formal education. Humans are creators. Creating is an intrinsic part of being human. There are no rules or limits to being a creator because this is our natural state of being. Any rules or judgement are false beliefs created by society, therefore, they are not valid. Creating is a natural outpouring of love from our souls. We are love. We are creators. People have forgotten their true selves.

Klee is actually a good vocalist. I'm a musician and quite picky in my musical taste, I just listened to your stuff on Spotify and was impressed by Klee's vocal melodies, very creative.

I don't think I'm ever an expert on myself! I'm always learning. I'm getting to know myself more and more every day❤🙏

Rafi, I just following you a month ago. I too am self-taught. A lot of my work i abstract. Every piece I start I have no idea where it's going until it is done. I feel that is the beauty of creating. I so appreciate all the advice you have provided. I had 2 shows and sold 7 paintings over the course of the 2 shows. I am learning how not compare my work to others. That was a huge issue when i first started Keep sharing, your insights are invaluable. Thanks, NJ

No matter how good you are and at what stage you are on there is always someone better or worse. I went to art school I have been making money with commercial art for 20+ years and yet there is designers starting out that are better and will be better then me. it really is about insecurity that happens to everyone.

Gosh, Klee and I are so much alike! I'm constantly fighting the need for things to be perfect, and trying not to listen to that voice in my head that says I'm an imposter, and so many other people are better than I am. I get so paralyzed, that I can't start. Once I start, I'll get lost and forget time, and be involved and happy, but I can't get over that first hurdle. I get stuck outside of the work, as if there's glass between myself and what I want to do, and I can't break it. Strangely enough, I wanted to be involved with music, as well. I was in middle school when a bunch of us wanted to form a girl band. I had a good voice, but I thought a good voice just happened, so when my voice would break, I'd think I didn't have what it took to be a singer, and I gave up. It didn't help to have family telling me that I'd never make it. All of the voices in my head - sometimes, I really wonder which one is mine. lol

I've got a BFA and an MFA from a prestigious art school. Shortly after I got my masters I became completely paralyzed with fear. I reentered the corporate world to make a living because it felt safer, but I hate it, I'm still suffocating from the crush of student debt and I regret not having had the guts to put myself out there as an artist. Some of the most successful working artists I've met over the years don't have an art degree and aren't burdened by the weight of student debt and the degree itself.

Love your vids. I always think the subject is something I already know and it always turns out that I didn’t have a clue. There’s always someone better than you. I spend an hour a day practicing and studying to improve my skills. I think that helps me feel like a real artist. :)

I'm SO excited to discover you two! Just when I needed an artist friend. You should be given a humanitarian award for all you do to ensure that more art fills the world!!! Listening to you both is not only soothing and informative but it fires me up.....only it's 3 am and I can't stop watching you! I'll never get enough of your studio tours, your art, your jingles, your sense of humor...you are living every artist's dream. How lucky you found each other. * Please show more jewelry and sing more jingles, Klee. Where can I buy your jewelry? * Rafi congratulations on your book...where can I buy it? You seem to be from another time, you are so genuine and authentic. Waving from Toronto. Nina

ThanksI have been woodworking as a hobby for close to 30 yrs. Started art about 3 yrs ago .The whole conversation is what is happening with me. I don't hesitate in taking on a challenge in woodworking but in my art I have the fear of failure or it's garbage. This talk has helped me move past that. again thanks.

Rafi=#bestartisthusbandever= Lucky Klee!!!!! It is hard enough to be an artist but harder to find such a supportive partner, especially one who is also creative and whose own ego is not triggered by their partner's struggles or success. Thank you both for sharing your creative journey... it is much appreciated!!!!

I love your honesty and vulnerability. I opened an art Gallery with no prior experience 6 years ago and can completely relate to this topic. Thank you for sharing!

Don't worry about what other people say or think. You are an original and you are very talented. Just keep on keeping on and succeed. Don't worry about everyone else's insecurities.

New to be a selling artist and I struggle with this daily! I try and remember something I heard once, "comparison is the thief of joy". Thank you for this one! You touched on everything I've been feeling! 🖤

3:00 OH MY GERDNESS KLEE! I feel that. I go through that all the time. "My best pieces are at home" - "You should see that one in person the photo really doesn't do it justice" and "Oh wow, his stuff is really good, I don't want him to see My crappy little paintings"

Great conversation, I needed to hear this and can totally relate to those imposter and insecure feelings!

I've done the art school thing but really didn't learn anything that I practice in my work. The thing that I'll always remember in school is when one of my professors said, "When you graduate you're either going to find a new career or teach." It's a tough business and road to take but can be very rewarding.

I can't express enough how much I appreciate what you two share for fellow artists. You are having such a positive influence on my mindset.

I have a foot in each world. My master’s degree allows the “real artist” see me as an egghead who doesn’t have art experience. But spending my time with students and helping others deflates my energy and consumes time. And others see that as me not being enough of a real artist. It’s all relative!

The biggest issue is that an artist's piece never turns out exactly how it was envisioned. It's too easy to despise the thing we've created and, as a consequence, fail to understand the compliments we receive. Same tune when it comes to seeing another artist's piece and trying to compare it to your own. If you can understand that you, the artist, live in a separate creative world than everyone else... you'll be better for it. It's why a lot of artists put off an air of perfection because that confidence is powerful. Others are self deprecating about their work, like me. At the end of the day, though... art is as subjective as things get. It's unhealthy to obsess over that. Just let it be and paint! Enjoy your wins and learn from your losses, but let it be.

On your comments regarding we don't or can't know everything.. When asked who I am or what I know I am fond of saying "I'm just a mass of confused protoplasm floating around the universe looking for some crisp green lettuce ;-) Mostly they smile, sometimes that roll their eyes but at the end of the show, I'm happy to just be alive an learning!

Oh my goodness- I love you two so much. This isnt something I suffer with myself, but I can relate. I love you even more Klee for accepting and showing us a vulnerable side, I am sure this will have helped many artists out there. Again you have made me understand the art process a little better, I am delighted that there are other people out there who think like me- only you two are lucky enough to have each other to bounce off verbally. Thankyou again X

Thanks guys, I needed to hear that.

I’m so grateful for you both. I’ve been creating art since I can remember and when I listen to you guys it’s like sitting down with old friends who totally get me!! Thank you, thank you, thank your for your cHannel. You are helping me and SO many other creatives in the world, feel comfortable in their own skin. Sending love and light 💕

This such a mood. I'm in school right now for industrial design(product design) but I want to make toys, claymation characters and movie props. My profs are very supportive which I'm lucky for, but I have so much self doubt when I see what my peers are doing. Especially because I'm taking a odd path to get to my end.

Sometimes I feel like not having this problem is my super power. I almost never feel like an imposter and always feel like ‘why not me?’ or ‘Look at that! I can do better too!’ I think my reactions are naive in the grand scope of life but are just how I am built. So super power it is!

This can happen to any Creative. It's part of pushing yourself, as you say. Robert Hughes wrote, The greater the artist, the greater the doubt. Perfect confidence is granted to the less talented as a consolation prize. If you are in any way ambitious and have any competitiveness in you, you are at some point going to feel inferior, and then doubt your own achievements. There are a few remedies: sales, praise, and mentors should always make you feel better. There's nothing like validation. And then your own competitiveness. And belief in the process, as Rafi says. ALSO, remind yourself how many successful artists are only capable in a narrow area. Abstract expressionist masters who can't depict the human form to save their skins; en plein air Landscape artists that can't sketch anything from their imaginations. Laurie Lipton makes amazing huge disturbing drawings, but confesses that she spent several years in Europe trying to learn to paint in oils and just could not do it. She can't even use colour. Bob Ross as we know could slap out a painting in an hour, but he couldn't paint people or animals. We all can't be technical wizards but we can dig deep into ourselves.

Seeing this video late lol. So a few years ago I had a conversation with a fellow artist friend I had met through Facebook art groups. When I look at his paintings I am awe struck and think that he is so amazing and so much better than me. But he always compliments my work, which I thought was just out of pity or just being nice. But in actuality, after having a deep conversation with him about painting,I learned that he feels the exact same about my work. He feels that my work is amazing and so much better than his. So this feeling of being inferior is all in our heads. We need to get out of heads and just get into our work and enjoy it. Enjoy the process and be proud of the end result because every piece is a personal journey.

If they thumb a degree in my face I proudly say I'm a self taught RU-vid Artist my instructors come from around the world!

This is a very timely video for me as today I will be showing my work at my second ever art show. I've come to the art world late in life as I'm 53 and have only started doing pastel paintings for the past year or so. I am a career wildlife biologist of 28 years so I mainly paint wildlife. So I'm generally a very confident person, but when I mix with other artists at these events I feel like "what the actual hell am I doing here? My paintings suck!" Very out of my element. Anyway, I am working to overcome my imposter syndrome and you guys have helped me so much. You guys are freaking amazing and I totally adore you! Good day!😀

Your rants / streams of consciousness are the BEST - have it play in the background while I work. Strong mentality *PROPS

@5:46 THIS, and this is also why I create because afterwards, it feels amazing to have both created something new, having expressed myself, and then the rush from confronting that fear -- that barrier -- that for some reason is there. Thanks for your honesty, it matters.

I feel like if you haven't taken any sort of art classes, but have this raw talent and enough of an imagination and drive to create beautiful and moving pieces, (magic mistakes) then you're authentic af. 😉

The key to overcoming imposter syndrome...hhhmmm...as a 61-year-old artist, who has failed immensely and over and over again, all I can say is keep at it. Do it again, do it differently, do it in a different way. Rise, create, fall, repeat. When a piece of artwork comes out so spectacularly it makes you cry. That is when you realize all the rejection, all the criticism, (and you are always your own worse critic) just came along to make you better and that is the journey, this is the purpose.

Liiving in the UK it is so difficult to break this mentality when so many 'experts' with heads stuck up their own a*ses look down on you.I took up the creative mantle to combat depression and yes imposter syndrome is such a relevant issue,particularly if you're battling with self-confidence.I always thought and still do that a university degree would somehow give me a key to the creative kingdom and without it i'm nothing.I love the channel and love your interactions with each other.Make vids while creating so we can create alongside and don't worry about the length of vids,the longer the better!👍💚👍👋

Hi Klee. I really appreciate your honesty. You helped me realized I haven't pushed myself out of my comfort zone because I prefer to be the expert on what I am currently doing rather than facing my insecurities. This is definitely something for me to address. Thanks for this conversation! and BTW I follow you on IM and your jewelry is awesome ❤️

Well dang…I had no idea that there was a name for that creepy little monster that hangs out in my consciousness. I feel everything about which you spoke…even the singing stuff. 😋 I am a self-teaching artist, not necessarily by choice but by circumstance. I feel like I am such an imposter. I freak out about sharing what I call, recreational art because it’s not as accepted as much as what I call productive art. (Stuff I feel I need to create for other people’s walls.) So much to meditate on in this discussion. 🤔 Thanks for the time it took to make this video.

My son grew up on Lego sets and I bought him a lot of them. He always built the thing it was supposed to be once but then dumped all the pieces in with his other pieces to build other things. My favorite thing he made was a replica of a band organ. :D He asked me for rubber bands so he could use those as the belts around the gears. :) I think he was around 14 or so then. He has loved band organs since he was little bitty the first time I took him on a carousel. He was terrified but he loved the band organ music. I supported his love of them by finding a band organ association he could join. I bet he was (and still is) the youngest member. :D - Heidi

I wish I could like this over and over again. You guys are so awesome and I totally adore you!

The best part of education is learning from others/instructors that is the whole reason you go to school! But do you get experience? This is up to each person. You might get more out of working on your own but you can learn from others IF your open to learning! A degree does not denote competence! SO everyone feels inadequate but that will not go away with a degree! Lessons are for learning but I met others who could not grasp a concept no matter how many times they completed the assignment. Will you have 20 years of experience of 1 year of experience 20 times over? This is up to each and every individual! Believe in yourself and Know yourself and just do what you love.

Rafi hit the homerun on ending comment!

God has Blessed you klee with gifts and talents. God orders our steps your on a whole differant path and road. Thats why Bible Gods word says do all things unto the Lord and not for man. Keep going God will blossom your creativity more and more. Being an artist is embracing fears every good artist learns how to blend mistakes that u see you make. In reality some people never see the mistake than stands out to you. Its your personal journey...allways be childlike we get so caught up in being serious as adult. Im speaking to me too. Keep going klee you are you and theres no other klee God Made You Uniqely You...God Bless You and Rafi..love you and real life issues!

Hi Rafi and Klee! I just bought your book, I can't wait to start reading! I also want to add that I get nervous that people are judging my work but I also get weirdly competitive and jealous about others doing similar work as me at the same level! When I was writing in high school with groups of friends I found that it pushed me to write better than them. As a potter now, at craft shows I find that I compare my work to theirs and yes it helps me think of what I can do to make my work better but I find there is a competitive side to it as well...

Loved the video! It's always nice to get a glimpse of other artists' thoughts and not feel so alone on your journey. 😊

I highly encourage you to keep going with your videos, guys. It's so cool to relate to other fellow artists even in a non-directional way like this.

I love the positive vibes between you too. I really need to find an artsy, creative partner in crime.

I feel inferior all the time. I have to learn to stop comparing my creations to everyone else’s. I need to learn to put my art out there and let the public decide if it’s good enough!

Oh guys, thank you. I'm just in the process of selling a drawing. And I was burned out as an artist before, never felt good enough, was always so self critical that I ended up quitting art several times. And then I drew something just for me, just for my own pleasure. And I became better again, and drew more, and went outside, and someone saw me, and then a tv team went by and saw me, and I landed up in a short tv clip about something else, and next morning, the city that was portrayed mailed me with a request to buy my work. And I'm tearing myself apart over writing a price! It scares me to the bones. I liked my works, when I did them for myself. I was happy. But when it comes to giving it away, asking a price for it, and fearing judgement? Basically it's my own judgement I fear. And, was my own happiness with my work not enough to tell me, that it's worthy of being happy about? Other people can be happy about it too. They have money they wanna give to me, I can buy art supplies with that money. People will look at my work and will find pleasure in it. Win-win. I'll try it.

To create art, making jewelry, writing , painting , any kind of art comes from inside of you and has nothing to do with any education. If someone wants education that’s great but I don’t think you need it to be an artist. I’ve never regretted not going to school because I’m not good at school. I did not enjoy school I have no desire to go to school. I just want to create and that’s what I’m working on getting back to, is just creating. For me life gets in the way, this past year is been very challenging. I started my RU-vid channel to be more creative but a lot of life got in the way this year and I’m not doing anything that I wanted to do during this Christmas season. My goal for next year is to get back on track and really start creating again. I’ve often felt inferior to other peoples work and I really am trying to not do that anymore because everybody’s art is different and we can’t compare our art to someone else’s because they are different than us. We all create in a different way. Art should never be compared it’s all personal and perfect in its own way!i I try not to be perfect anymore because it is almost impossible and makes it not fun ! The imperfections are what make art perfect to me !! I hope that made sense , it did in my head, LOL! I do need to work on trying new things more because I do get intimidated and put them off and that is something I want to work on next year! I think my biggest issue is getting back into being creative once life took me out of being creative for a while. Getting my feet back under me is the hardest thing and that’s what I’m struggling with right now am but I want to fix that in the new year.Well I’m not able to be creative for too long I find it hard to get back into it and that is my struggle right now. Just big life events that took me away from being creative. Your channels very inspirational and I enjoy your videos very much! Really enjoyed watching this conversation !

I really enjoyed watching this video. I’m still very new to my craft and I constantly have to fight the urge to scrap my projects because i always end up hating them halfway through. I literally have a storage bin full of works-in-progress and i want to change that. So in the midst of fighting with my anxiety as i work on my current project, i decided to look up imposter syndrome and this is one of the videos that popped up. Thanks so much for sharing your conversation. I took a few notes that hit home for me and i definitely plan on referring back to them. Here’s to fighting fear and anxiety, and the growth and beauty that comes from it.

Thanks for so much encouragement. It's been really hard for me to get going due to my own negativity. Your videos always help!

That is so relatable! Everything you just said helps a lot because I'm totally insecure with not only art, but life in general. And I'm always afraid that it's going to show up in my art.

So that's what this condition Im living thru is called..!! In spite of how "worthless" my work may be, I dont stop. I work at it; fulfilled yet rarely satisfied, but I cant not paint, so that says something.. I look up to you guys, and that makes me feel more legitimate, because Im drawn to, and really relate to the best people; truly fine artists 🎨 :)

A+++ for honesty, Klee! And also for bravery for sharing with us. Much appreciated, so we can grow with you :-) I hate those icky feelings in the moment, but it's easier to tolerate it now that I'm learning to trust that there is gonna be an 'aha moment' at the end. I didn't think about it until watching this video, but this is actually where I'm stuck in my art. I don't tolerate the icky feelings when I create something hideous. I just want to walk away, go watch someone else create art online, and return to the fantasizing about making art stage. The interesting thing is that some of the most enjoyable feelings I've had in life have been when I've come up with a unique and satisfying solution to a problem, so fixing the hideous is likely going to be really rewarding. I'm walking away from this video realizing that I can just apply my 'tolerate the ick' principle to making art and trust that it will get less difficult over time. Which I'm realizing is pretty much exactly what Rafi said.

Oh my goodness, everything you are talking about totally resonates with me! Love your helpful information life experiences. You are Amazing !!👏💓

I usually deal with impostor syndrome by pushing through it, because I know that once I complete a piece of work that I am satisfied with the insecurity goes away....it sucks but as you guys said most of us go through it just part of the artistic process. We are always most critical of ourselves, more so than any other person could be.

You guys always keep me motivated and feeling better about my journey when the imposter syndrome starts to creep in. Your videos always feel like I'm catching up with a friend, love your content, love you guys, keep up with the awesome advice!

I have been lurking this channel for a few months now and it is great to hear two artists with different backgrounds/interests talk openly about their lives and experiences in the world. I spent the past six years going to art school (even dropping out half way to take a non creative subject which I regret deeply) I now have a 2-year degree in digital art and am on my final year of an Animation BA. The point is, the reason I jumped around and kept myself from success was this IMPOSTER SYNDROME. I am almost at my BA and I have been doubting myself really hard lately because I am studying a new subject and it takes a lot of time to master 2D animation. (I do hate to use the word master because it implies the journey ends which is not true.) I was doing okay until a recent conversation with a classmate where I discussed a project I have been developing for a while that I wanted to animate for my final. The guy told me his "honest opninon" about it and actually said "this is shit" and said roughly: "I've come up with something like this a thousand times its unoriginal and you'll never get it done". Really punched me in the gut seeing as I have been hiding this baby project of mine for a year or two now. I was first upset, how could my work be so bad and I never noticed? Then I was mad, how could he say that considering his work is still in the beginner stages? I chalked it up to a bit of jealousy and a bit of advice gone wrong, maybe he just thinks a brutal opnion is brutal honesty. After chilling out I also realized it wasn't a constructive way of criticising my work. He had not told me "this is bad here is how I would fix it" or "this is bad in some spots but try this it worked for me". It was just "shit" and I can't build something out of shit. I can wave it off now but as Klee was saying, it only stuck with me in the first place because I have personal doubts about the project. I have been hiding it because I don't want to be wrong or do something amature. I feel like I am not "THERE YET" and I never do no matter what papers I put in a frame or what jobs I get it will never be enough for me. His comment hurt me because it was the same thing I have been telling myslef about the project this whole time. I have a huge fear of being "unoriginal" with my work and it is destroying my artistic life. I have decided that until I build confidence I will embrace being the cleche animator and making things someone else has thought of a thousand times. Because some day when I look back I will see it as my brand of animation and my way of making that "cleche" and that is what truly makes something unique. Thanks to you both, I appreceite you guys sharing this information(and all your videos!) it has made me feel less alone and more capable of finally being a professional artist no matter where that takes me or what that means in the future.

Last night me and my partner went to a art show to support a friend of mine and I felt like a imposter because I’m stuck in this....... phase where I wanna put some work out for ppl to see but seeing others work and feeling like I shouldn’t because Im not at a level of showing off my work (self taught lol) I think with Klee and everybody else out there it’s not so much as feeling like an imposter it’s just having doubts within ourself to step out of our comfort zone, feeling like an imposter and having doubts should be our motivation to create awesomeness😎

i think this is something everyone suffers from at some point regardless of their career and i love your response because it translates to pretty much any occupation. one strategy i push myself to practice on the regular is to maintain awareness to the humanness of everyone who has ever lived. if i can keep in mind that every great whatever has also struggled with every day human shit, then it makes it much less daunting for me to take on simpler steps in my own progress. basically, i actively take people off pedestals in my own mind to remind myself that we are all people starting from some beginning. talent and skill has historically come from practice, not super powers, and that is something i am capable of.

Thank you Klee and Rafit! I keep re-listening to this one so someday it sinks in. lol

I have a degree in art. Yes all the letters. It was a great experience. Did it make me a better artist. No. Practice makes you a better artist. Art education is just a different path. One if my lifetime goals was to teach artists. Mostly because I have a background in business and I wanted to help others to understand the connection between being an artist and making a living. Creating art is available to anyone WHO puts in the hours. I suffer from imposter syndrome. I meet artists everyday who blow me away, and they feel inadequate. Taking chances is risky and you never know how it will turn out or if it will be received. The best advice I received in my years of education was to play, always play. Enjoy the process. Please never listen to an elitist, they treat others the way they do because they are insecure. True artists want to see others successful.

Absolutely loving these discussions. Just binge watched a bunch if your videos!!

Once again, you guys hit right on the head! Thank you!💎

i really like your approach to making a mistake Rafi, that is the big one for me. I'm going to prepare for it now thank you! .... I'm feelin ya Klee!! My tip and trick is watching you guys. I have been squashing my dream to create for so many years, only recently decided to just go for it. Learning to push through the doubt. I have a collection of unfinished work because it was going so well and I didn't want to screw it up. time to dust them off and just embrace mistakes and push through. You two are just 'awesomeness' and I really appreciate you!! I love the way you support and inspire each other, and that you share that with us. and sorry if this is disjointed, I felt the need to comment as I was watching, so this is the third time lol :)

Awesome info guys. You are starting to give me inner strength to actually believe in myself and my artwork. All I have to do now is try and shut off all the negative thoughts that keeps me from furthering an art career and accept mistakes I do make along the way. Thanks so much for all your wonderful videos!

Brilliant! ❤️❤️Smiles

It's like you guys are reading my mind!! Thank you for your insights!

I love your little roleplay at 6:20 - let's roll out our internal thoughts and have a loved one let us know it's all wrong.

I just love listening to the both of you! Good stuff

Sometimes I will be working on something and think, "That didn't take long enough!" And then I will futz around with it and screw it up. If it is done, listen to it!

I so needed this. Thanks. I am working on a painting of "morning glories" I got known as a flower painter a few years ago when I did a gallery show. I did not like the title so I started doing other things. I love morning glories, so I am now doing this painting. It is a fight, because I feel it is just not right no matter what I do. Because of your video, tomorrow is the day to work on it again. Thanks again.