There are many things to make an artist question the value of her work. She is always battling with self doubt, worrying about whether it will be appreciated or not, will it sell, will she someday be well-known.
All these forms of outer validation are sought for by most artists, if not all, but they seem to come more easily to some than others. The most obvious prerequisites for attention is the skill and talent of the artist. But many times artists rise to popularity from purposeful backing, right exposure, smart marketing. Very often talented and quality artists work in the shadows of oblivion. Artists struggle to achieve outer success for many reasons, but I believe it often comes down to context.
In other words, is the notion of success to come between you and your chosen form? If you do choose to stick with it, how do you believe in yourself, when no one else seems to? How do you find the strength to keep facing the empty space, knowing there is probably no reward, at least not immediate, at the end of it?
No guarantees of audience, opening nights, words of praise. Despite any obstacles the artist of this kind might face, she is able to find immense strength to carry on.
I like to think of this artist, toiling away in wintry nonexistence, as the pioneer. Whether beginner or master, the pioneer in my opinion is any artistic soul striving for something new in art. A pioneering artist is not merely interested in preserving art over centuries as if it were in a museum, but aims for new horizons. What gives him strength is a vision of and trust in these horizons.
