14. Why I Started a Drawing Instagram

When I was younger, I used to have a negative image of avid social media users. I presumed that desire for recognition was what drove them. I realized now how wrong I was. Social media has many downfalls, but with it, just as many benefits! Social media is platform for sharing your work, to inspire others and grow as a person in community. Specifically, I started follow great artists on instagram and researched how they set up their instagram. Then I proceeded to make my own.

So, why did I start a drawing instagram? Here are my three reasons!

1. Ease of Sharing

Instagram makes sharing content extremely simple and accessible. I almost imagine it as my own digital sketchbook portfolio. This makes it very accessible wherever I am. When talking with other artists, I would always envy how they had their work available to show anywhere as long as there was an internet connection!

Although it's true I also had my website where I could share my work, instagram's hashtag system would also allow others who had no previous access to my work to find it, should they choose to seek it. Also instagram is a platform that has a lot of trust and a large user base. There is wisdom in joining the crowd, if there is something that is time-tested effective!

2. Publicity

I don't draw for other's approval. At the end of the day, I know I draw because it's fulfilling and I love the process. However, other's approval does matter to me. Life is not lived in a vacuum. Besides, I believe publicity is mutually beneficial. For the artist, knowing that our art will be public helps us maintain a healthy level of pressure to uphold a high standard of quality. It also pressures us to stay diligent and keep on drawing. Sometimes being on instagram can provide that extra kick of motivation that we so desperately need. For the viewer, we get access to beautiful and inspiring pieces of art that we can enjoy.

Besides, great work is worth sharing. Keeping all my art to myself might be "safe" but it will begin and end with me. I'm so thankful for wonderful and talented artists who dared to share their work on the internet. They have permanently left an impact on me and my love for art. They have inspired me to keep on drawing and love the process. I hope one day, I could be that figure for someone else!

3. Archival Purposes

I'm an archive freak! I love folder names, proper naming conventions, systems... you name it! I literally archive everything. Of course I archive my drawings and files on my own. But instagram presents another wonderful way to visually archive your work and your process. Because things are always organized chronologically, you can always scroll down and take a trip down memory lane. Although, it seems far off now, I believe future me will absolutely love that I started this early so I can document my progress.

Sometimes we forget that everything is a process, that development takes time, and things will get better! Being intentional about leaving an archive can give us opportunities to look back and appreciate how far we've come! So this instagram is one vehicle of archiving my art!

In closing, there's no right or wrong way to be an artist! It's really an expression of yourself! But I believe there's wisdom in staying plugged into the public sphere as well. We grow together. We encourage each other and help each other be better. And instagram, hopefully will be the platform that will help me grow and develop into the artist that I would love to become!

If you're interested, why not check out my instagram now?