As an artist, much of my day is spent immersed in the creative process, bringing textile works to life through tufting. But in today’s world, being an artist is more than just making art—it’s about constantly juggling the demands of both the online and offline realms. This tension shapes so much of what it means to be a working artist right now.
Online platforms like Instagram and TikTok offer artists an incredible opportunity to be seen by thousands, even millions, of people. Sharing my process, techniques, and finished pieces with a global audience feels exciting, and the feedback can be immediate. However, visibility doesn’t always mean success. It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers—likes, comments, shares—without those interactions necessarily translating into real-world support or sales. There’s always that frustrating gap between online engagement and building an audience that values and purchases the work.
Offline the experience is different. There’s something uniquely valuable about connecting with people face-to-face, especially in art. Textiles, in particular, demand to be experienced in person—the textures, the colors, the detail. While social media offers exposure, real-life spaces like galleries and exhibitions allow for deeper connections. But finding these opportunities, and the right audience, can be just as challenging. In-person visibility takes time, energy, and resources, and it’s hard to balance that with the constant pressure to stay active online.
At Studio Poppies, where my day is focused on tufting and crafting new works, the pull between these two worlds is constant. The studio is a place of quiet creativity, yet there’s always a voice in the back of my mind reminding me to post, to keep up with the digital world, or risk becoming invisible. The modern artist is expected to not only create but to also be a content creator, a marketer, and a strategist, all while navigating the ever-changing algorithms and trends of the internet.
This balancing act—trying to remain visible in both the fast-paced online world and the slower, more meaningful offline spaces—is the dilemma so many artists face today. It’s about finding a way to stay connected to the art itself while navigating the demands of visibility, in both real and virtual spaces, without losing sight of why we create in the first place.
In the end, the hope is to find a balance between these two worlds—where both online visibility and offline connections can grow. It’s not always easy, but finding that balance is key to building a successful and fulfilling creative life.