There's No Right Way to Be an Artist

I want to tell you something that I have learnt in my experience: there is no right way of creating, and there is no right way of being an artist.

If you don't know me, I'm Apoorva Mittal. I'm a watercolour artist, and I also work full-time as a researcher. Yes, I create art as a professional artist on the side but I treat it like my full-time work. I put in the hours. I build collections, do shows, sell online, everything.

And over the years, I've learned that the rhythm of creating art doesn't have to look the same all the time. It can shift with your life and energy,

My Creative Journey Through the Years

Let me walk you through how my creative process has changed, because I think it might help you give yourself permission to do what works for you.

In 2021, I was creating art all the time — constantly making new pieces, then immediately trying to sell and move them along while creating even more. I can tell you honestly: I was really burnt out. I also had this constant pressure to sell which meant less experimentation.

In 2022, I decided to try something different. I spent the first six months just creating, then dedicated the rest of the year to doing shows and selling my work. This was a model I really liked. It gave me space to focus on one thing at a time. Though I will say, it sometimes meant being away from one aspect for too long.

In 2023 was when I started getting into art prints. I created original work as I desired — sometimes multiple pieces, sometimes less. I did a few shows, but mostly I focused on getting my print business up and running.

In 2024, I created one piece a month. Part of it had to do with the fact that I was working on really large pieces, and they took time. This allowed me to experiment. The big pieces also engaged my audience, brought in new prospective collectors and eventually sales.

In 2025, I timed everything according to my shows. I had a show in March, one in July, and one in November. A lot of my collections and original pieces were created specifically with those shows in mind. All year round, I worked to promote my prints between those moments of intense creation.

What I Want You to Take Away From This

Each of these approaches served me in different ways. None of them was the "right" way — they were just what worked for me at that time.

If you're an artist who feels stuck in this cycle of always creating and never trying to sell, or if you're constantly worrying that you're not creating enough, I want you to hear this: just figure out a pace that allows you to create work, put your work out there, and talk about your work enough — because talking about it is as important as creating it.

You're Allowed to Change

Your creative rhythm doesn't have to stay the same forever. It's okay to create intensely for a few months and then shift to promoting. It's okay to create one piece a month instead of ten. It's okay to time your work around shows, or to create when inspiration strikes and sell later.

What matters is that you're being honest with yourself about what you need, and that you're not forcing yourself into a model that someone else says is "the right way."

Because the truth is, there isn't one.

In a follow-up article, I talk about how to find your creative frequency and what questions to ask yourself when you're feeling stuck or burnt out. Stay tuned.