Artiste peintre : Imposter syndrome

(To see the video, click on the play button above)

In my career as a painter, I came to understand over time that I was suffering from a very penalizing syndrome, and that I was far from alone in this case.

Indeed, impostor syndrome is something very common among artists and we will see in detail:

• What is impostor syndrome?
• How to identify it
• How to get rid of them for good!

What is impostor syndrome?

So what is the significance of this non-barbaric syndrome?

Definition: It’s simply the feeling that you don’t have the legitimacy for your actions.

For example, you create a painting and find it hard to show around, but you take the plunge anyway. The people around you will praise the painting and the work you’ve done.

And you realize that you have a hard time receiving these compliments and you may feel compelled to justify yourself by replying, for example:

• “I was lucky!”
• “It’s not really me, I’ve had a lot of help”.
• etc.

At the time, you feel you don’t deserve these compliments.

How I realized I was suffering from this syndrome

I began acrylic & abstract painting as a self-taught artist. I was doing my little experiments at home and there was no way I was going to show anyone.

One day, my best friend came across my paintings and told me he liked them, that they had potential and that I should consider selling them.

At the time, I decided that it wasn’t saleable, or at least that if I did, I’d really consider myself an impostor, because I thought I’d had quite a bit of luck with the few paintings I’d made.

Following my friend’s advice, I decided to take the plunge and start selling my first paintings. It was when it came to setting a price that this impostor syndrome manifested itself.

I wanted to sell my first painting on my website for 29€. My entourage tried to dissuade me, explaining that it would barely pay for the materials used to make the painting.

Aware of this, deep down I thought I’d be a swindler if I raised the sale price of this painting.

And finally, what also didn’t help me was being self-taught and having the impression that I wasn’t legitimate when compared to other artists who had followed more conventional curricula (fine art studies, for example).

How do you know if you have impostor syndrome?

Enough about me, let’s talk about you!

I’m going to ask you a few questions to find out if you might be suffering from this symptom.

• Don’t you attribute your successes to yourself?
• Perhaps you have trouble accepting compliments?
• Do you often worry that you’re not up to the job?
• Are you ever afraid to ask for advice?

If you answered yes to two or most of these questions, you’re probably suffering from impostor syndrome.

Then don’t worry! I’ll show you how, with a little rigor, to correct this problem!

Imposter syndrome: problems and consequences

First and foremost, it’s important to remember that this syndrome is often closely linked to a problem of self-confidence (click to read my article on the subject).

You also tend to be a perfectionist. The urge to go further and further in creating your paintings, never knowing when to stop…

Another important consequence is a tendency to be subject to stress.

How to identify the trigger :

People with this syndrome tend to ruminate, always repeating phrases like the following:

• “Everything must always be perfect
• “I have to perform in everything I do”.
• “I have no value if I am not admired by others”.

 

How to get rid of impostor syndrome?

In the same way you ruminated on the sentences above, you’re now going to force yourself to say the following sentences to yourself. This is the way to get rid of irrational fears.

• “Do I have to be an expert to be allowed to paint?”
• “What will happen if I fail?”
• “Looking back, did so many people criticize my artwork?”

It’s important to ask yourself “the right questions”.

It’s by asking myself these same questions that I’ve been able to move forward. I hope you will too.

Your testimonial is important

I’d really like to hear from you if any of this speaks to you, if you find yourself in these lines. I think this will really help us to help each other and move forward together!