It’s very easy to compare yourself in art to others. It’s even easier when others bring up the fact that they know such and such artist and how good they are.

How do you respond in the face of such commentary? Rather than falling into the “depths of despair” (as Anne of Green Gables would put it), another approach could be taken.

For instance, recognizing that these artists started out somewhere too. Someone else told them their work wasn’t good enough. Everyone is vulnerable in some way, but there is no courage without vulnerability, as Brené Brown would put it.

Another way would be to see how your art is different from another person’s art. I don’t think there could ever be enough art in the world. It is not possible that every idea has already been done. Every artist brings their unique experiences to their work and it takes time to develop that identity.

While it is possible to develop that shield to block out all comparisons or such commentary (or pretend you are not affected) I think a better approach is to recognize that that emotion (feeling upset, worthless) and just sitting in that feeling first.

I like the idea of how envy can also drive action. What is one small step you can take to get to the place of what you are envious of others? This was a concept in The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.