We were lucky to catch up with Faith Watkins recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Faith, 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.
Imposter syndrome can be so debilitating, especially when it comes to making art. Overcoming it is not easy, but I have found it possible! Whenever I start to doubt myself and compare myself to others, I find it extremely helpful to remember that everyone is on their path. We are all in a different place and have different experiences, which is beautiful! You can learn from others, but they will also have something to learn from you. Looking back on everything I’ve accomplished, I have been able to have more compassion for myself. It is so easy to put yourself down, but compassion is key when overcoming imposter syndrome. One thing that I have learned in therapy is that we are the managers of our own minds. If a part of you says that you’re not good enough or don’t deserve to be where you are, you can tell that person in your head to be quiet. You’ve heard enough from them; now it is someone else’s turn. This may sound easier said than done or even cheesy, but practicing this has really helped me gain more control over my thoughts and think more positively! In my case, It is also essential to remember that everyone has a different taste in art. What makes “good art” is very subjective and highly argued about. No matter what, there will be someone who hates your work and loves your work, and there is something really freeing in that! Continue with what you love, and the right people will find you. The last thing that has been very helpful for me when overcoming the imposter syndrome is asking, “Why not me?” if others can accomplish great things, then why can’t I? I can be the person I want to be, and I am where I am for a reason.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am an artist who loves to explore and learn new things! I use a lot of nature in my work visually and symbolically. I believe the meaning behind certain things, like flowers, can bring a greater depth to my work. I come up with a concept and then pick the medium that best helps me convey what I am looking for. I often use craft in my work, blending the lines between high and low art. My work is often focused on, but not limited to, themes of our human connection to the world around us and religion.
I am currently a senior at Brigham Young University. I am in the BFA program studying Fine Art and have a minor in Family Studies. I have a small business where I sell my art prints and other fun products like greeting cards, stickers, bookmarks, notebooks, and more! Greeting cards are one of my best-selling products; they are a great way to shop small and spread the joy of art!
You can find me at local Utah markets or on my website Faithwatkins.art! I love to make art more accessible and also love to include freebies in my orders 🙂
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three most impactful things on my journey have been being open to trying new things, believing that you can, and being kind. Anyone can learn to draw or paint, but these qualities make the difference!
First, being open to trying new things. Art school has been so much more than just painting. It has been printmaking, sculpting, welding, gallery management, ceramics, art history, and so much more. Going into these new classes with an open mind has brought me so much new joy and experiences that I would never have had if I hadn’t been open to trying new things. I hated some of the things I tried (you won’t see me welding again anytime soon!), but there were also things that I loved and never would have tried on my own! I don’t regret trying a single one of these things, and I’m so glad that I tried them. Learning about different art mediums has helped me consider my usual mediums differently, too. My experience has changed my mindset, and my art has been elevated because of that! If you can’t go to art school, explore some of these things on your own! YouTube is a fantastic resource, and there are so many free classes out there. Buy a little screen printing or paper-making kit, see where it takes you, and don’t stop exploring!
Second, believing that you can. No matter what you are pursuing, it is so important to remember that everyone who has ever mastered it has to start from somewhere. Anyone can learn the skill, but passion and persistence are what will set you apart, and if you love something, then you have that! When I went into art, I just went for it! I did some art in high school but was never in AP art or anything special like that. When I found my passion, I was already a senior and had missed out on those opportunities. I decided that it didn’t matter, and I just went for it! Going into art with passion instead of doubt helped me learn so much better. I had my doubts, but I learned that doubts could be dismissed, and just as much as failing was a possibility, so was succeeding. If I didn’t try, I would fail anyway, and knowing that succeeding was just as possible, I went for it, and I am so glad that I did. Please know that whatever you want to do is entirely possible. The journey might look different than you thought, and of course, there will be difficulties no matter what you do, but if you believe that you can, then I promise it will come true.
Third, being kind. I have never regretted being kind. Kindness builds connections and helps not only others but also you. I was at a craft market one day, and another vendor asked me about the BFA program at BYU. I told her about it and did my best to help her out. It was a small thing for me, but it has continued to bless me to this day. This kind friend has recommended me for so many amazing opportunities, and I will forever be grateful to her for her kindness back to me. I know that if I find an opportunity to recommend someone, she will be the first I recommend. All of this networking started with one question! There have also been many times when I haven’t seen the impact of my kindness, and the truth is that most of the time, you won’t! But that doesn’t mean that it’s not still there. A compliment or a smile might change someone’s day or even life. Everyone is going through something, and kindness can help so much more than we could ever know. Kindness will also help you in your everyday mood and outlook on life!
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
The biggest challenge I’m facing in my business and as an artist right now is time management. There is so much I want to do and I want to do it all right now, but I’m only human and rest is just as important as hard work. When I first started my business I was a full-time student, had a job, just got married, and was trying to do a lot at once. It was fun but exhausting, and it taught me that it’s ok to slow down and there is no need to rush. I can take my time exploring and learning things. When you read a lot of business and self-help books all you hear is to hustle, hustle, hustle!!! But that leads to burnout no matter how capable you are, and this happened to me! Now I am re-learning how to manage all my tasks and interests. I have learned so much about myself in this process and I’m creating a much more sustainable practice for myself now. One of the biggest things I’ve learned is the importance of knowing your capacity and accepting where you are. Some days I have a low capacity and if I have compassion for myself it will be much easier to do what I need to do and get back up instead of pushing so hard that I burn out again. I have learned to value rest and know that it is more than ok to need rest. There is so much power in learning your capacity and it is something that I am still learning today! Creating a small routine and building it up over time has helped me and I’m continuing down this path. My plan is to build things up a little slower so that when I graduate in December 2024 I’m more prepared to dive in. A big part of being an artist is learning to manage everything and that takes time and practice. Learning about this side of art has been interesting and important and I love that growing as an artist is continuous and that I can learn new things every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.faithwatkins.art/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faith_watkins_art?igsh=MWs4ZWdwd2N5cXd5OQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FaithWatkinsArt?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faith-watkins-91a745233?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Other: https://linktr.ee/faithwatkinsart?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=54f85b2d-7f92-4503-adef-03c2b198ba55
