11 reasons not to make art.

And 11 reasons to ignore them.

Do you make art? Why not? So many people tell me so many reasons they don’t, won’t, can’t make art. Let me go over a few and see if they’re reason enough.

“I’m no good at art, so what’s the point?” I get it. Art can feel intimidating, particularly if you’ve never done it before. We go to museums and see the work of amazing artists and think, “I could never do anything like that.”

But we’re comparing ourselves to a small handful of the greatest geniuses in the history of humankind — a hundred men and women out of the tens of billions who have walked the earth. It’s just not a fair comparison. Or a necessary one.

The goal of art isn’t to compete with other artists, dead or alive. It’s to find yourself, to find a way to express who you are. Think of art like your signature, the way that you dress, walk, or speak — things that develop over time until they become natural extensions of who you are.

Nobody else can make art like you. Nobody else can tell a joke like you, swim like you, cook like you, kiss like you, or be a friend like you. Being good isn’t the point. Being you is.

“I don’t have time to make art.” When we think about art, we imagine it’s a major undertaking — classes, supplies, a studio, the whole production. But we don’t need any of that. You can make art in five minutes, in three minutes. A doodle, a sketch. A haiku. The more you do it, the more it becomes second nature, as fast and easy and fun as consuming a TikTok video — and considerably better for you. Making art is an investment in your well-being. Even a short creative break, like a little nap, can refresh you and give you a new perspective on your day.

“Art supplies are expensive.” Some are, it’s true. A single tube of cobalt blue oil paint could cost you $100. But you can make beautiful art with a ballpoint pen you picked up for free. Draw on the back of a credit card statement. Collage with old magazines. Paint on a cardboard box. Gather up leaves, press them in a book, and make something gorgeous. You don’t need to spend a lot of money. You just need to look at the world with a fresh eye and think: what can I make from what I already have?

“I’m set in my ways. I’m too old. It’s too late.” It’s never too late to go on a new adventure. The Hobbit opens with Bilbo Baggins sitting by the fire in his cozy hole with his pipe and his cup of tea, until one day Gandalf shows up and says, let’s go. Bilbo is terrified, but then he sets forth and discovers the world for the first time. That’s what art does. It doesn’t matter whether you first look through that lens as a little kid, when you’re graduating from high school, or when you join the AARP. There’s no time like the present to discover what your true passions are.

“I don’t have anybody to make art with.” There are so many communities off- and online filled with like-minded people. You may live in the middle of nowhere, but there are people waiting for you right on this computer. Sketchbook Skool is a great place to meet others embarking on this adventure.

But you can also make art by yourself and use it as an opportunity for introspection. Sit quietly with a pen and paper and draw something on the table in front of you. Dream up some new ideas. Write a little story about when you were a kid. It’s a great way to be with yourself — and comfortable with yourself. Time that’s just yours.

“I don’t have any talent.” I don’t know quite what talent is, but if it exists, it’s just one small piece of the puzzle. A lot of very famous artists didn’t start out with some innate gift. They dedicated time to working and exploring their passion, discovering and improving their skills, struggling to push past each problem they encountered. You might be frustrated at first, sure you can’t do this — but then one day you’ll have a breakthrough that makes you realize you are, in fact, an artist. I’ve seen it happen to thousands of people just like you and me.

“I’ll never make any money from it.” Yup, it’s true. You may not. I don’t make money from my art. I never have. But I’ve never particularly cared about that. There are plenty of other ways to make money in the world — why does art have to be one of them? Life is full of things worth doing even if you’re not paid to do them. Playing with your dog, hiking a beautiful mountain, eating a sundae, floating on a lake watching fluffy clouds pass overhead. Nobody needs to pay you for those things. They’re just wonderful and make life worth living. Art does too.

“It’s just too hard.” Hard doesn’t mean impossible. Every artist — beginners and professionals alike — struggles along the way. But what’s wonderful about art is there’s no one way to do it. The road twists and turns, which makes it a great opportunity to take risks, make mistakes, and discover something brand new — a breakthrough that comes out of struggle. Each time you try, you learn, you grow, you get better. The struggle is part of what makes it great. Like climbing Everest. Running a marathon. Raising a child. All worth doing, even though they’re hard.

“People will judge my work.” It’s natural to be afraid of that, especially when you’re sharing something as personal as art. But it’s all subjective. What one person loves, another might not understand — and that’s okay. Every piece you create is part of your journey. Don’t let the possibility of a stranger’s judgment stop you from having that experience.

“I’m not creative.” Are you sure? Creativity isn’t just something we do on a canvas or on stage. It’s woven into the fabric of everyday life — the innovative solution you come up with at work, the way you put an outfit together, pull together a meal, tell your kids a story at bedtime. It’s a mindset. And once you allow yourself the freedom to explore, to make mistakes and learn from them, you’ll find it starts to bubble up in unexpected ways. Every one of us has a unique perspective, a unique voice. That in itself is creativity.

“I’m not an artist.” Who says? You don’t need a license or a degree or a sprinkling of magical fairy dust. Art isn’t confined to galleries and museums. It’s in the doodles you make during a phone call, the way you arrange flowers in a vase, the way you tell a story, the way you tie your tie, the way you wear your hat. If you create, you’re an artist in your own right. And if you’ve never tried but are curious — why not start now?

Your pal,

Danny

P.S. I just made a new video for you. I’d be so happy if you’d watch it!