What is support in art? And how can you find a good support system? Why do you need a support system as an artist? I will let you know in this blog - don’t you worry! Learn from artist Jackie Partridge what is support in art is.

A strong support system can be one person or more than one. They are someone you trust and they radiate positivity. You can trust this person with your dreams and know that they will be supportive, a good listener, offer great advice, be encouraging and believe in you (often more than you believe in yourself).

As an artist it’s important to have support because making art can be draining. At times, you will feel like your art is not good enough, like everything has been done before and that you won’t make money off your art.

Your support system can help you to stay focused on your goals and reassure you that your on the right path and that you shouldn’t give up!

What is Support in Art and Why Does it Matter?

Having someone who always believes in you can help you to feel confident and successful
Having a support person can be someone you trust and can talk to on a tough day
That support person can push you to be your best and reassure you when you doubt yourself
A great support system encourages you and pushes you to keep going even when you feel like giving up

My Support in Art

“Make more art!” isn’t as simple as it sounds. Making art can be challenging to find the time to do it. For a couple of years since graduating my MFA, I struggled with finding time to make more art and often put off making art all together. I was “too busy” paying off my student loans, working multiple jobs and really didn’t have the time. I started feeling unhappy and my husband really noticed.

He encouraged me to start my YouTube channel. Which scared me. I was worried if people would comment nasty things. That no one would watch the videos, that no one would subscribe and that I would embarrass myself. I was worried what people would think and that they would make fun of me.

Most of all I worried that it would be a complete waste of time.

But he encouraged me to do it.

He often believes in me more than I believe in myself.

And then when I wanted to start my Teachers Pay Teachers store I was scared too. I was worried I wouldn’t make any sales and that I would spend all this time doing it and it would be a waste. He believed in me and encouraged me to keep going.

Not only does he encourage me to do things and to get my art seen but he helps me. He attends exhibition openings, helps me install and de-install my art, takes photos of my art, edits my photos, edits my videos, edits my writing… the list goes on and on.

He is 100% on board with any new and random idea I have. He is there encouraging me, giving me praise and assisting me in my goals.

He will help out around the house or make dinner to give me extra time to work on my art. He knows that it’s important and that I will appreciate it.

It really helps having a support system like that in your life.

So, How Can You Support an Artist?

like, comment, save and share their work on social media
follow them on social media - invite your friends and family to do the same
join their mailing list/read their emails
refer to your artist friends when someone is looking for art
shop local and from small businesses like artists whenever possible
ask an artist to do a commission
purchase artwork from your favourite artist
compliment an artist - let them know you love their work! Bonus points if you tell them why (this can help them develop new work)
Send them inspiration, art exhibition calls or other art opportunities
Listen without judgment

Even doing a FREE action like commenting on their post can help an artist - because it allows the artist to reach more people!

If you would like to support me as an artist - you can click here to check out my shop or support me by clicking the social media links below!

FAQ and shop policies

Why I became an artist

8 reasons I love art

Send me a DM to let me know who your support system is.

Clouds is an installation of 150 found doilies by Jackie Partridge that have been embedded with poured abaca pulp. This installation was created in 2016 while I was studying my Master of Fine Arts at Concordia University in Montreal.

I experimented with this installation by testing out different lighting and playing with different perspectives and camera angles when documenting this installation. This installation took over 4 hours to complete.

Next time I would present this work I would create pillows on the floor to invite viewers to lay down and look up at the clouds.

I created this work with found doilies and I poured on abace pulp. I placed the doilies in the paper press to squeeze out the extra water. Then I let them dry flat for 24 hours. I hung the doilies with different lengths of thread attached to rods on the ceiling. I would love to continue to create thousands of these and hang them in a larger venue.

Doilies are a symbol of history and domesticity. I see them as floating ghosts of all the grandmothers I grew up with when I was younger. When I was born I had 8 grandmothers including great-grandmothers and great-great grandmothers. Each doily is special and unique. Some are colourful and others are plain. Some are intricate and detailed and some are simple and plain.