Create With Purpose, Share With Confidence

by Nargis Naqvi

Have you ever looked around your home and realized how much of your art is just sitting there, untouched? We keep filling our walls, stacking canvases in closets, and creating more and more — only to wonder what to do with it all. And let’s be honest: art supplies aren’t cheap, and watching your work gather dust can feel discouraging. Even giving it away sometimes backfires, because people rarely value what they receive for free.

If you’re not just painting or drawing occasionally “for fun,” but creating from a deeper place — from your heart, your experiences, and the talent God has blessed you with — then you know exactly what I mean. Every gift we’re given comes with a responsibility. One day, we may be asked: What did you do with it?

I believe that when we spend money on art, materials, classes, or tools, it should be for a meaningful purpose — not something that ends up hidden. After all, once you’ve created a beautiful piece, what sense does it make to tuck it away and hope someone magically discovers it?

That’s where marketing comes in. Most of us would rather stay behind our canvases than show our faces online. We associate self-promotion with being boastful, and many of us are camera-shy to begin with. But in today’s world, where reels and videos are the main form of communication, we need a strategy that still respects our values.

The good news? You don’t need to be constantly on camera. It helps, yes — people connect more deeply with a face — but here are some simple, manageable steps to get started:

1. Record a simple one-minute video about who you are and what you do. Most of it can show your process; just appear briefly at the beginning and end. Turn it into a reel and pin it to your Instagram profile.

2. Use a tripod or spare phone to capture your artwork as you create it. Photos of each layer also work well for reels. Aim for at least one reel or post per week.

3. Learn Instagram and Facebook basics. Follow galleries, engage with other artists, and keep growing your online community.

4. Join art organizations and keep learning. Workshops, classes, and new techniques all help strengthen your style and confidence.

5. Build a consistent brand — visually and stylistically. When you’re ready to sell, get professional help to present your work well.

6. Don’t be shy about sharing your art. This is your work now. Do it with the right intentions: to honour the gift you’ve been given, and to use any earnings for good.

7. Set boundaries at home. Let your family know that your creative time is real work, even if you’re doing it from home.

   
   

These are just foundational steps — but once you start taking yourself seriously as an artist, others will too. And your art will finally live where it belongs: out in the world, inspiring others.