The Self-Taught Game as a Freelancer

The Self-Taught Game

When I was gifted my first watercolor palette I simply could not resist the sketchy, watery strokes of the medium that allowed me to create landscapes, florals, and portraits in an entirely new way. 

Then came the day I met digital, and our romance quickly bloomed with each tantalizing pixel and processor. And now it’s my job. One I gleefully, hesitantly, excitedly, nervously, and ecstatically took on for myself.

“When I was younger art was fun. Studying medicine and health was not fun. And then I went to art school and art became work because of all these deadlines. So art was no longer fun. [Then] YouTube videos became fun. It was totally my creative outlet. We all need one. Every single person has to have a creative outlet that is untouched from the monetary system or from school or the grind.”

- Michelle Phan, beauty guru and boss babe.

I will never forget these words. When I first heard them I think I exhaled a sigh of relief. I finally accepted that I did not go to art school and it was okay. It didn’t make me any less of an artist or designer. Actually, it made me want to be those things more. Truth is I go to an art school, but I don’t study art. So, I sought out opportunities. Took on a few extra classes to get an artsy minor and most importantly, I have never stopped creating and teaching myself the tools I need to be the person, the artist, and the designer I want to be.  

Because of this I always have an ear out for those bite-sized morsels that will feed some new part of my mind. The accidental conversation that teaches a new tool in photoshop. The random comment on image sizing by a stranger that solves that pesky problem I’ve been having. Or the dancing image in my mind I insist on making a reality even when at the start I have no idea how. But no one is going to stop me from absorbing or trying or messing up or learning.

Only I will. 

Being self-taught allows me to play and imagine in a way that I know structured instruction would never provide. Yes, it’s important to learn. I am the first to say knowledge is power and not in some cliche way. But I have found I am not any less of a designer or an artist because I have not been given formal training in the matter.

It’s only up to me and my pesky mind to say that the self-taught way is a-okay.

I believe it is a privilege to teach yourself the tools and skills you need to become your own artist and find a soul-connection with your work. We are all different mixes of inspiration. Which means, what I see and what you see are two totally different things and that is what makes life interesting. 

Lean into it. I mean really own it.

This pure power you have from being both your own teacher and student. If someone ever tells you to go jump through this hoop or sprint up those stairs or ask that person over there to help you always make sure to ask yourself first if it’s really what you feel is necessary. You have this unique privilege to pave your own way. To take the facts and interpret them in your own way. So, always make sure you’re actually on board with it. I give you permission to go for it. In the end the self-taught game only has one winner and it is always you. 

xx Emma