Reciprocity Rules

July 21, 2025

Everything in art is reciprocal. From the first stroke on a canvas to the final applause at a show, the law of reciprocity quietly governs the entire process. You give, then you get, never the other way around. It’s a rhythm, an exchange, a silent agreement between you and the world. And if you look closely, you’ll see it’s always been that way.

Every artist begins in the same place: a blank page, an empty studio, a quiet room with nothing but the vague urge to create something where nothing currently exists. Square one. What follows next is determined entirely by what you bring to it. The effort, the hours, the willingness to fall short, revise, and rise again, these are the things that shape not only your art but the path it carves into the world. The ones who dedicate themselves, who study, who work and rework and study again, these are the ones who break through. You won’t always see it immediately, and the rewards might not show up where or when you expect, but the energy always loops back around. It’s just how it works.

And then there’s the matter of audience, of visibility, of being seen and heard in the noise of it all. Here, again, the rule applies. You want people to care about what you do? Then start by caring about what others do. Celebrate the work of others. Like, comment, repost. Show up at their shows. Tell your friends. Let them know they matter. This isn't manipulation, it’s participation. It’s community. Because when people feel seen by you, they begin to see you. When you show love without expectation, it creates a kind of gravitational pull. It opens the door for that love to come back around, often in unexpected, beautiful ways.

But none of this works if you're just sitting there waiting. Waiting for recognition, waiting for success, waiting for someone to tell you you’re ready. That waiting game leads nowhere. The universe doesn’t reward stillness without intention. You must be the one to move first. You must give before you get. If you do nothing, nothing much will happen. That's the hard truth.

Reciprocity isn’t magic. It’s not a hack or a shortcut. It’s a principle. A truth that underlies everything in art and in life: whatever you hope to receive, begin by giving it away.