Gotta Have Faith

April 6, 2025


Thousands of artists enter the field every year, each with their own unique perspectives and talents. Yet, only a small percentage will ever break through and achieve the recognition they deserve. So, what makes the difference? Why do some succeed while others falter?

While natural talent, skill, and technique are important, the true differentiator is often perseverance. To make it in the arts, you need an immense amount of persistence — and for that persistence to sustain you through the years of struggle, you must believe that your work has value, that you are capable of evolving and improving, and that success is not only possible but inevitable. Without this belief, it becomes easy to fall into self-doubt, especially when the inevitable obstacles arise.

Having faith is not merely about belief in a higher power; it’s about unwavering trust in yourself, your talent, and the worth of your artistic endeavor. It’s about knowing that even when the world seems to doubt your abilities, you continue to push forward.

Faith Fuels Persistence

It’s easy to become discouraged. You submit your work to galleries and face rejection after rejection. You pour your heart and soul into a piece, only for it to be met with silence or criticism. The harsh reality of the arts is that rejection is a part of the process. But those who succeed don’t let rejection define them — they use it as fuel to grow, to improve, and to keep going.

This is where faith comes in. Faith is not about blind optimism, nor is it about ignoring the reality of challenges. It’s about having the conviction to continue working, improving, and growing, even when it feels like the world is against you. When you have faith in yourself and in your art, you develop the resilience necessary to weather the storm.

When times get tough — and they will — your faith is what will keep you in the game. Without it, it’s all too easy to give up, to walk away from something that brings you joy and purpose simply because it’s hard. But with faith, you’ll be able to endure the difficult times, the adversity, and the uncertainty. You’ll know, deep down, that the struggle is part of the journey.

Believe and Achieve

One of the most powerful mantras that an artist can adopt is simple but profound: "Believe and you shall achieve." This belief doesn’t mean that success will come easily or immediately — it’s about recognizing that the work you do, the effort you put in, and the faith you have in yourself and your craft will ultimately lead to growth and success.

It’s easy to get discouraged when it feels like progress is slow or nonexistent. However, believing in yourself is essential for staying motivated and committed to your work. Faith helps you trust that, eventually, your efforts will pay off. The key is to keep showing up, day after day, whether or not the results are immediately visible. The artistic journey is not a sprint; it’s a marathon, and only those who believe in themselves and keep doing the work will cross the finish line.

Work Comes First

While faith is essential, it’s important to recognize that belief alone will not carry you to success. The work — the hours of practice, creation, learning, and refining — must come first. You can’t sit back and wait for success to knock on your door; you need to actively pursue it through hard work. Faith without effort is just a wish.

When you have faith, you’re not waiting for inspiration to strike or for success to fall into your lap. Instead, you’re putting in the hours, honing your craft, and taking the necessary steps to improve. The rest, as they say, will come as a matter of consequence.

Highs & Lows

The pursuit of an artistic career is not just about the destination — it’s about the journey. The highs and lows, the successes and setbacks, the moments of doubt and moments of clarity all form part of the path to success. When you have faith, you can embrace this journey with patience, knowing that each step is helping you grow and move closer to your goals.

In the end, those who succeed in the arts are often those who simply didn’t give up. They kept moving forward, trusting that their work had meaning, that they had something to offer the world, and that their dreams were worth pursuing. They believed, they worked, and they achieved.

Faith is Key

To succeed in the arts, you have to believe in yourself and your craft — and this belief is the foundation for all the hard work that will follow. Art is not easy, and the road is long and filled with challenges. But with faith in yourself, your talent, and the journey, you’ll find the strength to overcome obstacles and keep moving forward.

Remember: Believe, do the work, and the rest will follow. Success isn’t about avoiding the tough times, but about having the faith to endure them and continue creating.