From Self-Doubt to Selling Art: My Creative Journey

If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be selling prints of my artwork online, I wouldn’t have believed you. Not because I didn’t love painting, but because I didn’t think anyone else would love what I was doing. Like many people, I’ve always struggled with self-confidence, especially when it comes to putting my work out into the world.

When I first picked up my brushes again shortly before the COVID lockdown, it was just for me, for my own mental health after a particularly stressful year of work. I hadn’t painted since school, and at first it felt like starting from scratch. But as I spent more time sketching and experimenting, something clicked. I remembered how much I loved the process—the quiet focus, the way colour and light could transform a blank page into something full of life.

Then, one day, I decided to share a piece on social media. I hovered over the ‘post’ button for far too long before finally taking a deep breath and pressing it. I braced myself for silence or, worse, criticism. But the response surprised me. Friends, family, and even people I barely knew were encouraging. They liked what I was doing. After that, my art journey took place in real time, with the encouragement of others. I moved from ink to watercolour and then to gouache (FYI, that’s a fancy name for good quality poster paint). Some even asked if they could buy a print.

That was a turning point. It made me realise that, while self-doubt can be loud, it isn’t always right. The more I shared, the more I heard from people who connected with my work. Slowly, I started to believe that maybe my paintings weren’t just something to hide away in a sketchbook.

Of course, taking the next step—actually selling prints—was daunting. Turning a passion into a small business is exciting, but it also comes with a whole new set of doubts. What if nobody buys anything? What if people only liked my work when it was free? What if I set up a website and it just sits there, gathering dust?

But then I thought back to those first hesitant posts. I reminded myself that every time I pushed past my self-doubt, something good had come from it. So, I decided to go for it. I researched printing options and found theprintspace in London, whose fine art giclée prints matched the quality I wanted. I built a website (with plenty of trial and error!) and started making my paintings available to buy.

Now, seeing my art in other people’s homes is something I never expected—but it’s incredibly rewarding. And it all started with a single decision: to share what I love, even when I wasn’t sure how it would be received.

So, if you’re holding back from putting your own work out there—whether it’s painting, writing, music, or anything creative—just know that you’re not alone. Self-doubt doesn’t go away overnight, but every step you take past it opens up new possibilities. You never know who might connect with what you create. Do the thing that scares you.