Ask an Artist - How do you know if you want to be an artist?

How do you know if you want to be an artist?

I’ve always wanted to be an artist. Creativity was such a big part of my life growing up. I went to a Steiner School, where creative activities like painting, drawing, and even dancing were woven into our education. I loved every bit of it.

When I finished high school, I dreamed of going to art university. I applied twice—once for fashion and once for graphic design—but I was rejected both times. The feedback was surprising. They said they loved my art but didn’t think I was suited to those specific streams. Instead, they encouraged me to apply for the Fine Arts program.

Some of my artwork

At the time, I had this image in my mind of what it meant to be a fine artist: struggling to sell work, barely making a living, and treating art more as a hobby than a profession. Those thoughts held me back. I decided I wanted a more stable career and chose to study law instead. (I now know that those thought where not true and just holding me back, but it took me years to unlearn those).

I studied law in the Netherlands, moved to the UK, and worked in financial industries for years. But art always had a place in my heart. Then, when my grandmother passed away, something changed. She had been an artist herself, and I brought home all of her art materials. I started painting again, and it felt incredible. It brought me so much comfort, helped me process my grief, and made me feel connected to her in a deeply meaningful way.

That’s when I realised I wanted to teach others about the calming and mindful benefits of art. At first, I saw myself more as a teacher than an artist. But as I began sharing my work, things started to shift. People asked if they could buy my art, or if I could create commissions for their homes. Then I was asked to illustrate a book. Slowly, things began to take off, and I started to view myself as an artist more and more.

It’s been a winding journey, but looking back, I see that I’ve always wanted to be an artist. It just took me some time to claim that title for myself.

How do you know if you want to be an artist? I think if you ask yourself that question you probably want to be an artist - and remember, you don't need to make money from your art to be an artist - but that's a topic for another blog.

Irene Ruby

If you’d like to learn more about me and my journey, feel free to visit my About page. Through Makings and Musings, I work as a fine artist and illustrator, painting and drawing in my studio in Cambridge. I also teach art classes in person, online, and through my online community, where I help people rediscover their creative spark. Many of the people I teach haven’t done any art for years, but I believe everyone is creative, and anyone can learn to draw.

Alongside teaching, I write blogs and articles to help people get started on their own art careers. I’m also in the process of writing my first book, which I’m excited to share soon. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking for inspiration to return to art, I’d love to support you on your creative journey!