Use Instagram for more than just posting images
Emma Kohlmann an artist based in rural Massachusetts who creates colorful, figurative paintings and drawings, said that by following museums and unofficial archives on Instagram, she happens upon new content she wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. Meanwhile,
Elise R. Peterson an interdisciplinary artist and children’s book illustrator who is based in L.A., uses the platform to get her work in front of the eyeballs of people she admires––such as Thelma Golden, who approached Peterson at an event to compliment her work after first seeing it online. And for
Katherine Bradford a beloved contemporary painter who splits her time between Maine and New York, going on Instagram is a way to reconnect with other artists after spending the day alone in her studio. “The reason I pay attention to my Instagram account, both what I post and what I look at, is curiosity and a desire to learn,” Bradford explained.
Focus on engagement, not your follower count
For some, likes, follower counts, and comments can become a source of validation. But if artists view these interactions as qualifiers for their artwork, they may be headed in a self-destructive direction. “I try as much as possible to not look at my social media, though it may sound counterintuitive,” said Alexa Meadea visual artist with over 224,000 followers on Instagram who is known for painting directly on people’s skin, within elaborate, brustroke-filled scenes. “I try not to internalize it too much, because whatever I make in this world, I don’t want it to be geared towards how many people click a button.” For Meade, and others, sharing artwork that they feel strongly about personally is more important than reaching any set number of followers.