There is a point in your art career where you start to feel like all the work and growth is starting to go somewhere. That time for me is now. I have participated in about six art shows and some of my friends have seen my paintings and have encouraged me through the last few years. There were times when I felt maybe I should just paint and enjoy it and not 'put it out there for others to either critique or enjoy'. I had many times doubted if I even had any talent. Going to shows can be hard on the ego, watching people go by your tent making a beeline for the guy next to you and feeling invisible.
So, for the next year I decided to grow as an artist. I tried lots of new techniques and studied other art that I liked. I read books and watched lots of you-tube tutorials and just decided to be brave and paint for the fun of it. I loosened up deliberately and used a pallet knife and experimented. It finally felt like play, like fun!
All of a sudden people are buying my art. I finally decided to do some marketing and send an email to my contacts and tell them I would be at the local show. Well, they showed up and the buying began. Now, I am out of paintings and can't even keep up with the demand! It's been a little stressful but I will take it any day. On top of that, I did an exhibit and had an offer to be on an international website as a featured artist.
So, if you are an artist struggling to find your way, take it from me. You can do it!