I have a decent group of artist friends who live in my area and we get together from time to time, but I feel like I’ve hit a plateau in my creative growth. I have the sneaking suspicion that hanging out with the same people and going to the same galleries’ art openings month after month is somehow holding me back. What should I do?

– photographer, Paris, FR

You’re absolutely right! If you aren’t adding new people to your social circle, you’re going to have a hard time moving your art career and your creative ideas to a new level. Getting out of your studio and meeting new people needs to become a habit; no different than scheduling time to work in your studio for a certain number of hours each week.

You can meet new people by simply frequenting new places, joining a group or organization in your local community, or by putting some real effort into reaching out and connecting with other creative people through social media and on-line outlets. Either way, it needs to become a non-negotiable part of your life as an artist. You can’t expand your creative horizons by spending time with the same 5 artists and taking part in the same activities with time year after year.

To play a bigger game, you need new friends and a bigger over-all social circle.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you should ditch your old friends. Instead, why not put some effort into adding even more creative, positive, successful, motivated people to the circle of friends you already have? The goal here is to put yourself in contact with other people who can expose you to their work, their ideas, new opportunities, and ultimately help you move closer to your own creative goals.

Send your questions to Kesha:
freshartinternational@gmail.com
Subject Line: Fresh Rx