I’m an ARTIST, not an ‘INFLUENCER’ (but social media didn’t get the memo!)
Let me start by saying: I love what I do. Painting pets for the last three years has been both a joy and a privilege. There’s something magical about capturing the spark in a dog’s eyes, the dignified pout of a grumpy cat or a wistful mane of an intelligent horse… and don’t get me started on my clients’ emotional reactions; It’s THE DREAM, honestly.
A month or so ago, however, I was bedridden with a horrible illness that took me out of the equation for quite a while and I suddenly realised that my dream comes with a unintended side order of pressure from an unexpected source.
No, it’s not the painting itself or dealing with my inner perfectionism. It’s not the workload or the pressure from (lovely!) clients. It’s not the framing, the packaging, the exhibitions…
Its social media. It’s everywhere. And as a small business owner, it feels like I’m supposed to be everywhere too - posting fresh content, reels, stories, behind-the-scenes videos, engaging captions and hashtags galore; and I am not comfortable being in front of the camera at the best of times, I am far more comfortable behind it!
The strange thing is, the painting - the bit that actually IS my business - is the least time-consuming part some weeks. The real time-suck is trying to keep up with the algorithm’s constant demand for content. It’s exhausting. It’s like being stuck on a treadmill where the speed keeps increasing, and every time I stop to catch my breath, I worry the algorithm will forget I exist. And that’s the kicker: I didn’t sign up to be an influencer. I just wanted to paint.
Having a few weeks off filming, photographing, researching, posting and engaging with pet accounts and artists on line (as much as I love them!), I suddenly realised quite how much time I was spending on my phone. I have a gorgeous family, a full time job, wonderful friends, a furbaby and a small business and yet most of my time was spent staring at a screen trying to make people see me. What started as a heartfelt, creative business has begun to feel like a never-ending race for attention and the pressure to stay visible, stay relevant, stay original - it chips away at the joy of doing what I love. It’s hard to feel inspired when your creativity is being redirected into crafting “engagement-friendly” posts instead of, you know… actual art.
I would really love to know: how are other small business owners coping with this? Are we all quietly burning out behind the highlight reels? Or do you love the quest for social media fame? Do I accept my fate as a small business owner, straighten my social media crown and try to embrace a life online? Or find some other, old school way of getting new business?
If you’ve figured out how to strike the balance (or at least keep your sanity), please share. I’m all ears - and paint-stained fingers.
With love (and probably overdue posts in my drafts),
Your friendly neighbourhood pet portrait artist,
VB 🐾