I clearly remember my very first instagram post in 2016. That October I stumbled upon the #inktober art challenge and decided to participate by sharing my daily ink sketches. The dopamine hit was instantaneous as the followers, likes and comments began to pour in. My phone became an extension of my hand with me refreshing instagram multiple times a day just to enjoy the community engagement.
It had been about a year since I had resigned from my teaching job and decided to commit to pursuing an art career. In that time, I had transformed my garage into a cozy studio, where I happily worked in solitude. But I felt ready to have my ‘debutant’ moment in art society and what better way but to use instagram!
What started as a daily activity that kept me motivated to make art and connected to my friends and family changed in time. Slowly, but significantly. And we have all felt it. As instagram grew and so too, our followings, instagram became an integral part of the artist’s business marketing and career structure. Leading to multiple digital fatigues and disillusionment with the platform, I, like many, had semi-regular detoxes from Instagram. But once back online I fell into the same old patterns. And here’s why. AS artists we believe Instagram gives artists:
1. Visibility and Networking: Instagram helps artists reach a global audience and connect with other creatives, collectors, and potential clients.
2. Direct Engagement: Artists can interact directly with their followers, receiving feedback, building a community, and promoting their work.
3. Portfolio and Marketing: Instagram acts as a digital portfolio, allowing artists to showcase their work, establish their brand, and sell their art.
And this is all true. However, what instagram takes away from the artist is an essential, necessary, possibly the MOST important part of creative living: The act of creating in intimacy.
When I talk about creating in intimacy, I mean the simple act of making art over an extended period without sharing it on the internet.
When you choose not to post your work on Instagram, you open up a space for greater creative freedom and a deeper connection to your intuition. Social media often brings with it the pressure to create content that will generate likes, comments, and shares. This can lead you to subconsciously steer your work toward what you think will please an audience, rather than what genuinely resonates with you.
By stepping away from social media, you can better tap into what Elizabeth Gilbert calls "Big Magic"—the mysterious, creative force that comes from within and guides the artistic process. Without the constant stream of imagery and feedback from social media, you are less likely to be influenced by trends or the opinions of others, whether positive or negative. This allows you to follow your own instincts and ideas more freely, trusting your inner voice and intuition.
In this space of solitude, you can experiment, take risks, and explore unconventional paths without worrying about how your work will be perceived. This unfiltered creative process fosters more authentic and deeply personal art, driven by your true vision rather than external expectations.
I would like you to consider changing the way you use instagram moving forward without going Insta-cold-turkey!
This approach may seem like a significant change from your current routine, but I promise you that both you and your creativity will benefit greatly.
Consider taking a month-long Instagram detox. During this time, focus on creating new work with the intention of sharing it later. This isn’t a complete break from Instagram, as you’ll still be planning posts, but you’ll pause on posting them immediately. After the month, use the content you’ve created to update your feed.
Meanwhile, use this next period to work on an intimate, private project in your studio, free from online feedback. Document your process with photos: your studio setup, color palette, tools, progress at various stages, final artwork, and the finished piece displayed on a wall. These images will become your new content bank for Instagram when the images you mad in the previous month have run out.
Adopt a pattern of delaying posts until a project is complete. Even though you’re not posting online, seek feedback from trusted artist peers who can provide honest and constructive criticism. This will help build your confidence and improve your art practice.
AND, delaying your posts can reduce the immediate dopamine rush usually associated with social media, making you less dependent on the platform and your phone. By focusing on constructive feedback and trusting your creative instincts, you’ll become less influenced by likes, comments, and followers, treating them as mere numbers rather than factors that control your practice.
I look forward to watching you step into greater freedom and authenticity in your art practice!
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