Don't fear coming off as pretentious.

The world is full of information, animals, and trends making up the zeitgeist in which great art is created. It is up to artists to repurpose the bits of this world and communicate their message to others.

Artists and creators should dare to be great. It takes a certain comfort in one’s flow state to will something special into existence. But this ‘flow state’ doesn’t come easy for most people.

Taking the first step. 👣

Before a creator can tackle this endeavor, they must be willing to fearlessly express themselves. Many things can get in the way of honest expression – a process that artists endure to channel their most authentic views, observations, and identity.

The wall is both internal and external. Many question whether they are even capable of creating something mesmerizing. This is one of many self-limiting beliefs that people weigh on themselves.

The greatest art is in a forever pending stage within the minds of those trapped by self-inflicted limitations. Here, the freeing system of expression is clogged by doubts, inexperience, distractions, and voices.

So many voices. Some are louder than others. But the final say is in one’s own mind.

Will you begin, continue, or complete what must exist in this world today?

Do YOU have the audacity to attempt this feat?

You won’t know what you’re even capable of if you never try or never make trying a routine.

The purpose of this post is not to teach how to access or create this creative space in the mind (I’ll leave that for a future entry). My goal is to persuade you to create something great, flashy, and cunning without worrying about the ‘pretentious’ tag that may come with it. The goal is to break off chunks of the external wall – the wall stopping you from communicating outwards.

In terms of feedback, you must realize that people’s judgments are largely subjective and that the language you speak creatively may not translate effectively in the minds of others. Even if it does translate well, some people love to crush great work just for the sake of it.

Some critics love to see a work attempt and fail at reaching a higher plane of artistry.

This can be demotivating if you let it get to you.

The Pretentious Artist

You shouldn’t fear being seen as just another ‘pretentious’ artist. Or an actor fumbling ‘the great artist’ role. People are brutal and honest and may express crippling words about the artist’s attempt at greatness and its implications on the artist’s character.

They will say that your delivery on that song is pretentious. Or that the messaging of your painting is pretentious. They will say that you and everything you stand for is pretentious.

Take a deep breath when you hear something like this. Don’t take it personally. This should be seen as noise if you do choose to continue.

Note that being labeled as pretentious is different than other forms of criticism. It is a specific label used to diminish the essence of a work that attempts to be great or consciousness-raising.

You can put great effort into meticulously crafting your next masterpiece without dreading the chances of falling short or missing the mark. Be yourself and stand up for your vision.

Create something that answers your own questions and reveals your own insights and layers.

You won’t feel too proud collecting medals for something that is less than who you are. If there is a specific vision you have or a method you want to employ, do not water down your identity by conforming to the current trend. Become the best version of yourself within the craft and stop thinking about boxes or categories.

Over time, you will see that it feels more natural to be yourself and find your way rather than relying on temporary ideas/people/agendas. Keep moving. Keep creating. Let the right people find you in your works and appreciate your blueprint. What’s meant to be is meant to be.

Friends interpreting your image.

Through my personal experiences, I feel that sometimes being seen as pretentious could mean you are doing certain things right – advertising your creation, showing pride in your work, and establishing your image. You can look at any great artist and rationalize why one would consider them to be flashy or pompous.

I have friends who consider some of my antics pretentious. Thankfully, I understand why they might think that way and continue expressing myself the way I want to.

I create for me, not for them. They don’t need to understand my approach, but I still appreciate them as humans.

I feel that strangers – people who know almost nothing about the artist’s personal life – may not see the inflated characteristics that friends see. Friends have more information and can see through the persona.

But they still do not understand the role of a creator unless they are actively expressing themselves.

Ideally, your friends should be motivating you to be yourself and create the best work possible.

Try Harder

When someone thinks you’re “trying too hard” to be someone or make something, tell yourself that you’re not trying hard enough. Keep pushing your agenda.

Keep breaking chunks of this external wall of doubt and ridicule until you have no problem creating work that receives labels.

Don’t fear coming off as pretentious. Fear of not establishing your legacy or not being yourself instead.

To end this post, here is a quote Francis Ford Coppola gave while on the set of his epic motion picture Apocalypse Now:

“Nothing is so terrible as a pretentious movie. I mean a movie that aspires for something really terrific and doesn’t pull it off is shit, it’s scum…and everyone will walk on it as such. And that’s why poor filmmakers in a way – that’s their greatest horror – is to be pretentious.

So here you are on one hand that’s trying to aspire to really do something, and on the other hand, you’re not allowed to be pretentious.

And finally, you say, ‘fuck it.’ I don’t care if I’m pretentious or not pretentious or if I’ve done it or I haven’t done it. All I know is that I am going to see this movie. And that for me has to have some answers. And by answers, I don’t mean just a punch line, answers on about 47 different levels.“

I wish you the best on your journey toward self-actualization.

Don’t worry about being pretentious every once in a while. 🙂

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