Why Being Trendy Is A Bad Thing

The world is always chasing the new trends. Chasing trends in art is no different. With each trend that comes many attempt to catch the wave before the crest.

As an artist we must ask ourselves, what is our value in art? We must then define that answer for our work.

For the artist which chases the new trend it can become a mad world. There is no reason to jump down every path to attempt being competitive with others.

Key Problems With Trending Art Ideas That Artists Face

The moment you decide to chase a trending art idea is the moment your entire process changes. This is not something to take lightly and is among the reasons why artists fail.

A process is developed and often cultivated over time to become what your art is. It is not a machine where new parts are put into place to produce a something.

Changing your art process can involve retooling, new equipment, changing your art portfolio, and potentially significant up front investment.

Measure this against how long trends may last and it could potentially harm you.

Chasing a trend is all too common. All one must do to see this in action is to look at Etsy. There are significant problems on platforms like Etsy which do not foster the right kind of environment for an artist to be successful.

Once an art trend shifts you are left with “outdated” work that becomes difficult to sell even at a discounted price.

You spend your effort, energy, time, and resources in something that was not a true expression of your skill and artwork. With little return in artistic value, you also obtained little enjoyment or meaning for your artistic expression.

In truth chasing a trendy art idea is nothing more than chasing money. This is the sphere of makers or arts and crafts hobbyists. If your focus is to be an artist, you need to get out of that world.

Why “Doodad” Trendy Art Has No Value In Art

Allow me to give insight from past observations. There are a few “artists”, and I use that term loosely here, that I have followed to measure progress.

Their shop is what I call a doodad shop. I call it a doodad shop properly based upon the definition of a doodad.

Doodad defined is “a gadget or other object whose name the speaker does not know or cannot recall.” They left no impressionable memory. An example of this can be found in Shiplap art.

A clear distinction is needed to separate what art is from a product. The word art is used so loosely in our time that it has been applied to anything and everything.

There are many pages on the web which have lists of projects that you can make for a quick profit. I have one for woodworking projects. Yet things such as this are for beginners just starting, not defining your art.

To understand why these trends are insignificant I wish to point you to a significant question. Why is art important? Trendy ideas do not meet the answer nor requirements to that criteria.

Trendy Art Ideas Never Allow For Art Appreciation

What is art appreciation? This significant concept trends can never offer an account for. Appreciation is not an increase in value.

It speaks to the substance within art, the use of the elements of art, and its significance to the period or time. It is in effect the study of art history and methods due to the value of the art.

Art trends typically have a low value in art. Rarely do they ever create any realized monetary value for the artists in return for their effort. More often only problems come from them.

Aside from issues surrounding process and retooling, I often wondered how they managed to keep up with the trends.

You must account for material costs to actual profit. Pricing that doodad is a real issue just as knowing how to price art is a quantitative bridge we all must cross.

As the art trend shifts within a short time the creator must again change process and tooling. This repetitive pattern creates a lot of cost with a high risk of being left with inventory.

How Trendy Ideas Harm Artists Growth And Performance

Chasing art trends creates deeper issues for the artist. It stagnates deeper cultivation of talent as well as long term business growth.

Your customers or clients expect to see consistency. If they return to see continual change then there is no consistency to your brand or name. If you have an online art gallery this is exponentially harmful.

Your brand, name, and art style should not shift with the wind. This is how people come to know you and form loyalty to you.

The greatest danger for the artisan is never being seen for your artwork and forever being lost within the sea of the artsy masses. It is impossible to be you and do the same thing everyone else is doing at the same time.

Furthermore it is impossible for an individual artist to compete with mass production. Small decor shops face strained difficulty as they attempt to compete for market space on low value items.

If you wish to be a craft or decor person that if fine, there is nothing wrong with that choice. Nevertheless if you wish to be an artist, you cannot exist or survive in both worlds.

Leave the Art Trends Behind And Be Unique

Breaking the trends is where you begin to set the trend for your own developmental growth. Becoming unique does require growth.

You are not pushing products. You are creating extensions of who you are within art placing a piece of yourself into every work. It is a story of who you are.

You must cultivate your art trade. It is about your art form in consistency allowing your business to grow. The concept is simple but not easy to do.

Find what you love to do and perfect that art while finding its market share. As one does this new things are discovered.

Alternative paths begin to open allowing new development of your artwork driving real roots that can be built upon.

Learn how to properly use social media. Discover how to create infrastructure that supports your dreams and ideas.

Be ground breaking. Set new standards. Push your limits. You define the art trend.

Breaking the trend allows for an uncharted path where one can make calculations based upon your skills, experience, and allow for room to learn and grow.

There is no time limit on how long you can keep cultivating that artistic creation. What you learn from that creation will lead to more informative decisions within your market as well as your work itself.

It is here you will begin to find your real value in art.

Groundbreaking Idea – Art Is Not About The Money

I am about to make a statement which will sound crazy, if not completely insane. Within this fast food market world of grab and run people will think I need to be in a straight jacket.

Yet get ready because here it comes.

If the goal or end means is money then you will miss the boat. Money does not determine the value in art.

Cultivation of yourself and your work is where the real value is found.

The money will just happen in time as further self cultivation takes place. The financial side of this picture is a byproduct of perfecting your craft and market.

Somewhere out there a business guy or marketing person will have a heart attack reading what I just said. Yet…. for our work, its true. Why? It really is about impacting someones life.

Artistic creation is an extension of yourself. As one studies art they learn that the visual arts is a form of storytelling. Our work carries with it a piece of who we are.

What someone desires when they see art is not how pretty it is. Rather it is how it impacts them, it is how you impact them.

The doodad people, don’t worry they will disappear. We arrive at a crossroads.

Crossroads: Trendy Art Ideas Or Genuine Art

What do you wish to accomplish with your artwork? What are your goals? Where would you like to go? These are personal questions that only you can answer.

If making the most insane rolling pin is your thing then go for it. Nevertheless in no way do I believe that is the be all and end all of your craft.

As I stated, creating is an extension of yourself. You have to find what makes your creation unique.

It is important for artists today to not become captured by the art trend. It happens too easily for the sake of attempting to gain either profit or being noticed.

This is especially true for new artists that have not established their artwork within the market.

There was a time when artisans determined the trend within a culture. For the artisans today we can still achieve these groundbreaking ideas and find our place to call home.