We were lucky to catch up with Sophie Pearson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sophie, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
I often look at my follower count and don’t understand how it got there. Sometimes I scroll back to old posts that did particularly well on social media, just to check the likes, and make sure my memory isn’t failing me. My art is so personal to me- every single piece holds such a strong place in my heart, and to see that other folks connect with it in such tremendous ways sometimes doesn’t feel real. Not to mention, though I love my work and what I put out, the habit of comparison is hard to let go of. I frequently look at the art of those around me and think my art is not good enough to garner attention.
I have to remind myself, in these moments, that the reason my art reaches people is because I’m not alone in my feelings, my traumas, and my memories. While my relationship with my guardians or my body might feel so particular and unique to me, my feelings about them are far from it. I’ve received thousands of comments and messages from people telling me how they relate to my pieces, and how they made them feel less alone is this world. Art is powerful in that way. What we make, though it may feel so intertwined with who we are, so connected to our own personal emotions, becomes something else when it’s shared with the world. People will connect with your work, and you deserve the love, praise, and connection you receive due to it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I have been making art my entire life! As a kid, I was rushing home after school so I could sit in my room and create. As a teen, I was a constant doodler (much to the dismay of my teachers, as much of it landed on my homework). Going to art school was the only thing I could really imagine myself doing when I was 18, so I spent my college years learning the basics. After graduating in 2021, I started to explore social media as a way of sharing my art with more people. I was firm in my belief that I wouldn’t focus on numbers as a measure of my worth, but was excited to see my community of followers growing on tiktok and instagram. After several years of focusing on work primarily to do with body image, I’ve been spending the last year or so painting a body of work regarding my upbringing in a tumultuous household. Excitingly, all of these pieces will be debuting at my first solo show at ArtsWorcester in Worcester, MA from May 9th-June 16th, 2024.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1.
My ability to be open about my life experiences has probably been the most impactful on my journey as an artist. I’ve never been afraid to create and share work that really means something to me, and reveals deep traumas. I think it’s vital to create from a place of truth. I see many folks on social media trying to create a following by making what they think others want to see, and not what they actually want to make. It will show in your work. Being vulnerable, in whatever way is comfortable for you, will lead to true connection with other people.
2.
I am firm in my belief that rest is vital for creatives. We often see on social media that folks push, push, push themselves, cranking out content and finished pieces. While I commend those people, I don’t think that’s realistic for the majority of artists, especially those who (like me) make art thats very emotionally charged. I still fall victim to the guilt of laying around, reading books instead of painting, I think it’s impossible to live in a society so focused on productivity and not. But I still force myself to rest and recharge, and my art, mind, and stability is better for it. You are still an artist even if you’ve stopped making art for a while!
3.
My willingness to listen to and absorb constructive criticism (not bullying) has come in handy many times over my career. Through art school, we were consistently given critique, and some of it was really hard to listen to. I’ll admit, at the beginning I wasn’t fond of it and took offense, but once I realized that my professors and peers had my best interests in mind, I listened. More often than not, my pieces turn out better when I take ideas from those who lend them to me. Folks who expose themselves to criticism early on and don’t take it personally, but objectively, will most likely be better for it.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My husband is my stability. I feel grateful and lucky to have found my life partner so early in life. We met when I was 15, and have been together for almost 11 years. Through that time, he’s been by far my largest supporter, consistently reminding me that my work is important and deserves to be seen. My confidence wouldn’t be where it is without him. As an artist, I am so frequently stuck in my mind, whether that be thinking about what I’m currently working on, ideating new paintings, or trying to source my next inspiration. He often brings me back to earth, grounding me and helping me solve problems related to my practice. I think its so important that artists have strong relationships so they don’t become too absorbed in their practice, or find that they tie their worth solely to their art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sophiepearsonartist.bigcartel.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creating.sophie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creating.sophie
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP-Xt-TWSdwM5eEVfe2KBoQ
