The Brave Artist: Why Fear is Holding You Back (and how to move through it…)
The Brave Artist: Why Fear is Holding You Back (and How to Move Through It)
Bravery. It’s a word that gets thrown around a lot, especially when it comes to being an artist..
In The House with Iona Hollaway
Hot Takes:
Bravery is a muscle
How Fear is Quietly Holding You Back
Why it matters?
Bravery. It’s a word that gets thrown around a lot, especially when it comes to being an artist.
We think of brave artists as those who put themselves out there without a worry in the world, who speak loud and proud about their work, who price their art confidently, and who seem to take risks without breaking a sweat.
But something I and my Secret Artist Business students have learnt is that being brave is essential when it comes to running a business. You need it to push through discomfort and grow, to help you make decisions and to help you break through to the bits that you’re going to be really proud of.
Recently, we had the incredible Iona Holloway from Brave Thing speak in our In The House session for Secret Artist Business, and the best thing we learnt is this..
Bravery is a muscle
It’s not something you’re born with. It’s something you build.. through action, through repetition, through discomfort. The more you use it, the stronger it gets.
And as an artist? Bravery is the thing standing between you and the success you want.
How Fear is Quietly Holding You Back
Our chat with Iona was eye opening. She helped us to see that most artists don’t think of themselves as fearful.
You create. You put things into the world. But that’s brave, don’t you think?
She showed us how fear is sneaky. It doesn’t always show up as sheer terror. More often, it disguises itself as logic. As procrastination. As perfectionism. As self doubt.
Think about these thoughts:
“No one will pay for my work.”
“I’m not skilled enough to stand out.”
“I don’t have the right connections.”
“Selling my art feels icky.”
These aren’t facts. These are fear based stories. And the longer we believe them, the longer they will keep us small.
Why it matters?
Iona showed us how fear shows up in sneaky ways, secretly loving ourselves with our fear and in turn holding ourselves back. These are the habits we fall into that keep us safe but stagnant.
Iona shared her own struggles with self-doubt - how she once believed she wasn’t cut out for certain opportunities, only to later realise that the only thing stopping her was her own limiting beliefs.
By reframing her stories and embracing discomfort, she was able to secure high profile speaking gigs and unexpected opportunities that changed her career.
Turn the art you’ve already created into passive income by licensing it through stock image websites or pitching directly to brands that align with your style. Some platforms pay per download, while others offer upfront fees… either way, it’s a way to make money from work you’ve already made - what a win!
Passive Income = More Freedom
You don’t have to do all the things to start making passive income as an artist and just one solid stream can make a big difference. The goal isn’t just padding your bank account (though, let’s be honest, that’s nice too).. It’s about building a business that works for you. So that you’re not stuck at your desk 24/7, constantly trading time for money and having a business that relies solely on you to do everything.
Our biggest takeaways?
Your doubts are not reality.
Just because you think something doesn’t make it true. The belief that no one will buy your art? A lie. The idea that you’re not good enough? Also a lie. You get to choose what you believe.
Fear often masks as “being realistic.”
Waiting for the “right time,” thinking you need to be more skilled first, assuming you need connections? That’s fear in disguise. The only right time is now.
Feeling “cringey” is usually a good sign.
If hitting “post” on something makes you want to hide under a blanket, it’s probably the exact thing that will move you forward. Discomfort means growth.
Rejection is proof you’re trying.
Every successful artist has heard “no” a hundred times. The difference? They didn’t stop. A rejection isn’t failure - it’s part of the process.
Take one brave step at a time.
You don’t need to “fix” everything today. Just commit to one small act of bravery at a time. Small moves add up to massive momentum.
You already have a network, so use it.
Artists often assume they need industry connections to succeed, but most opportunities come from someone just one degree away. You don’t need more people.. you need to reach out to the ones already in your orbit.
Bravery compounds over time.
Every single time you take action despite fear, you gather proof that you can do it. That proof makes the next move easier. And the next. And the next.
So, what next?
Iona shared with us that bravery isn’t a feeling… it’s a decision.
You don’t have to be fearless. You just have to take action because fear only wins if you let it stop you.
So, what’s the one brave thing you’re doing today?
