I don't want to be a content creator

Originally, I was posting pictures of my bullet journal pages on Instagram. It was a period of my life where I was trying to keep my creativity alive by making my lessons and organization aesthetically pleasing and fun, just to add some colour to my learning routine. And then gradually, I got back into art before becoming a professional artist during 2021.

What I liked on Instagram

When I created my account in 2020, at the dawn of the pandemic, I needed a motivator to show my drawings, and push myself to persist in my practice. Instagram allowed me to connect with other amateur artists at that time. I had an uncomplicated, spontaneous and recreational practice. That’s a big part of what I liked about this platform:

What I disliked on Instagram

But over the last two years I’ve tried to evolve, professionally. And the spontaneity that I used to enjoy so much has slowly been eroded…

What I want to change in my practice

Faced with the fact that I had more “cons” than “pros”, I came to the conclusion that something was definitely wrong with my social networking practice. So I tested it. I tested posting every day, and I felt drained and my posts were visually less enthusiastic. I tested not posting at all, and while I missed the blog, Instagram made me feel less legitimate as an artist on the internet every day. I was bombarded with other people’s content and I felt like it diminished my value to not have the confidence to post as much. So I looked at other social networks: Artstation, but I didn’t feel in my element among realistic, 3D and futuristic artists, Behance, which tends to be very “clean”, very professional, like a portfolio library, Tiktok and Youtube which require both equipment, new skills and time…

What can be done?

I took a step back, asked questions to my current audience on Insta and talked to other creators about their own practices… The time came to take a good look at myself, so I can better identify what to do.

1. Deleting my account from the application is out of the question. As an illustrator, there has to be a result when they search for my name.
2. I want to continue to consume content on Instagram, but limit my use to no more than 1 hour per day.
3. I don’t want to create content exclusively for the purpose of putting it on Instagram. Being a “content creator” does not appeal to me, I like to work on a project basis.
4. I value the private conversations we can have on this app.
5. I would like to continue to relay when I write a new blog post, as a visual notification to people who view my profile.
6. I’d like to post only when: I’m really proud, I have a project that’s coming to fruition, or I want to give sporadic news.

In conclusion…

For a long time I thought that in order to be an artist today you had to have an online presence. As a visual artist in particular, I felt that an Instagram account was not only necessary but also an indicator of success. That’s when I understood that I had let the numbers go to my head. Because in reality, there are artists with a fulfilling professional life without social media! There are just as many as there are artists with a lot of followers who don’t consider themselves professionals. My website allows me to have a blog where I dictate the editorial line myself, where I cannot compare myself directly and where the “like-culture” has not rubbed off, but also an efficient portfolio without censorship.