JUST SHOW UP

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes (and worth every second🕣)

At the beginning of my professional art journey, I spent a lot of time in local libraries with my nose buried in books on art, creativity, and navigating life as a creative. One day, as I scoured the shelves, I came across a book that would inspire me immensely and become one of many guides for my career: It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be by Paul Arden. There were gems that were instantly relevant, and others I wouldn’t truly appreciate until much later. One of those is the following:

"If you want to be in a job where they won’t accept you, just turn up. Eventually, they will accept you, because you are part of their community."

There are three words from that quote that changed so much for me: Just turn up. Over the years, this mindset has opened doors I’d never imagined possible, forging meaningful connections, opportunities, and encounters that I could once only dream of. It’s led to me landing dream roles and commissions, working with some of my art heroes—people I had once read about in art history books or magazines—and regularly being part of spaces that once felt off-limits. Perhaps more importantly, it’s been a game changer for tackling my shyness and imposter syndrome, allowing me to grow and grow in confidence.

Here are four recent experiences that brought me back to those three words, and for me exemplify what showing up can look like:

1. STAYING PUT TO SHOW UP

Earlier this month, I was booked on an early flight, but as the week went on, I realised there was so much I’d miss if I left early—networking, potential partnerships, and opportunities to plant seeds for future projects. I decided to reschedule to a later flight. Encounters throughout the day sparked new ideas, introductions were made, and opportunities for 2025 began to take shape—all because I showed up, stayed visible, and seized the moment. Had I stuck to the earlier flight, nothing catastrophic would’ve happened—my career wouldn’t have halted. However, showing up and being present in the right place at the right time gave my practice a significant boost, with ripple effects that will extend far into the future.

2. TAKING THE CALL

That same week, I was invited at short notice to a meeting about a potential project based in the UK. With the time difference, it meant a very early start for me whilst in the States. At first, I hesitated, but I knew this opportunity might not come again, so I pushed myself to attend. And I’m SO glad I did! The call sparked a fruitful conversation, allowing me to connect with a prospective team and gain a deep understanding of their mission. It also led to my first commission for 2025—a project that will expand my curatorial practice in exciting new ways while providing financial stability for at least the first quarter of the year. Before that meeting, my diary for 2025 had only three one-day jobs pencilled in. Phew! 😅

3. SAYING HELLO

Whilst I was in LA, I had the privilege of being part of a cohort of 280 conference delegates, and afterwards, a smaller group of 60 of us went on a post-conference trip outside the city. If there was ever a time I couldn’t hide behind my introverted tendencies, this was it! 🗣️ At first, I relied on others to start conversations, but soon I got into the habit of taking the initiative—introducing myself, sitting next to someone new each time, and showing genuine interest in who they were. These small acts blossomed into newfound professional relationships. It’s a reminder that showing up doesn’t need to be complicated. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple “Hello, what’s your name, and where are you from?” to be the key to opening new doors. 🗝️

4. MAKING A LASTING IMPRESSION

Whilst in Miami a few weeks ago, during one of the art fairs, I walked into a gallery booth and was met with a rather cold reception of a gallery worker staring me up and down which made me uncomfortable. I was ready to leave, but then, a lovely artist in the booth came up to me and introduced themselves. Immediately, they made me feel at ease and walked me through their work. It turned out to be one of my absolute favourites from the fairs! It made all the difference. It also opened my mind to the possibility of future collaborations with them. I’m sharing this particular experience to show you what showing up can look like as an artist in terms of building connections with curators and commissioners. The artist’s willingness and boldness to connect drew me to their work, which left a lasting impression on me.

The examples I’ve shared—the rescheduled flight, that early-morning Zoom call, speaking with other delegates and the artist taking the time to introduce themselves and speak to me—are not extraordinary in themselves. What made them impactful was the decision to show up with intention. Neither opportunity was guaranteed to result in immediate rewards, but they were investments in future possibilities—and I’m already seeing the returns

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO SHOW UP?

As the world keeps turning, so do opportunities. Staying ahead requires more than just talent (sorry 🤷🏾‍♀️)—it demands the art of remaining visible and relevant, ingenuity and relationship building. This is particularly important for new and emerging artists that want to pursue art full-time, and it helps establish a foundation of visibility and credibility, increasing your chances of standing out and expanding your network. Over time, you may find yourself reaping greater rewards with less effort as your reputation builds, but maintaining the habit of showing up ensures you don’t lose momentum. The benefits of showing up aren’t just tangible—like securing commissions. It also nurtures your artistic practice by fuelling inspiration and energy and keeping you creatively revitalised.

WHAT SHOWING UP COULD LOOK LIKE

Showing up is not about expecting immediate results. What you invest today may not yield a return right away, however, trust the process. View showing up as an investment that will pay off in the future. It’s about sometimes stepping into opportunities and saying yes to possibilities that stretch your comfort zone and trusting that the effort will pay off in ways you can’t always predict. What showing up is not is saying yes to everything. Showing up means making intentional choices, prioritising opportunities that align with the vision of where you want to be, and your capacity.

Showing up will be different for everyone, however, here are some practical ideas:

ATTENDING EVENTS (IRL AND ONLINE)
Whether it’s an exhibition opening, artist talk, or workshop, attending these events puts you in the right place to connect with peers, curators, and potential collaborators. Make an effort to exchange contact details and send a note afterwards to follow up. Sending a follow-up message to people you’ve met at events or through collaborations shows continued interest and helps keep you on their radar.

REGULARLY UPDATING YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE
Staying visible online is vital for maintaining connections with your audience. Share your work on social media, update your website, and send newsletters that highlight your latest projects. Giving people a glimpse into your creative process, works-in-progress, or studio life fosters deeper engagement. Interact with others by commenting on their work, joining art-related forums, or taking part in online challenges or exhibitions. Remember, it’s not about posting for the sake of posting—it’s about meaningful engagement that feels authentic to you. If, like me, you’re aiming to reduce your social media time, consider scheduling posts in advance. Dedicate a set time each week to prepare content, then log off until it’s time to schedule again. Find a balance that works for you.

APPLYING FOR OPPORTUNITIES
Submit your work to exhibitions, grants, residencies, or competitions, even if you’re unsure of the outcome. Doing so keeps your practice active and raises your profile. From my experience, being on juries for awards and residencies, I’ve often come across artists who weren’t selected for the advertised opportunity but were later offered other significant projects because they made the effort to apply. Sometimes, these alternative opportunities are more impactful than the original one.

VOLUNTEERING OR TAKING PART TIME JOBS IN THE ARTS
If you’re not a full-time artist, consider working part-time or volunteering at galleries, studios, or art spaces. These roles keep you connected to the art world, help you meet new people, and allow you to gain valuable experience. Whether it’s front-of-house work, gallery assistance, technician roles for events or exhibitions, café work in a gallery setting, or supporting community projects, these jobs help you stay involved in creative spaces.

INVITING PEOPLE TO SEE AND DISCUSS YOUR WORK
Take the time to engage in discussions about your work, your process, or the work of others. Crit sessions, open studios, or even informal chats—whether in person or online—can lead to valuable insights and stronger connections with others in the industry.

EXPERIMENTING
Show up by experimenting with new mediums, styles, or projects that push you out of your comfort zone. This kind of exploration can expand your artistic range and open up unexpected opportunities. Grants like the Arts Council’s Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) fund are designed to support artists in taking these kinds of risks.

LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION? MEET CORNELIUS TULLOCH

Let me introduce you to Cornelius Tulloch, an artist based in Miami, whose approach to navigating the industry and seizing opportunities never fails to impress me. I’ve had the privilege of spending time with them in various settings—and across three different countries—and I’m constantly inspired by their dedication and creativity. His Instagram is a brilliant example of the rewards that come from showing up alongside his hard work and talent, and I’d highly recommend following to explore their journey and discover their work. That said, I’d like to reiterate something I’ve emphasised before: showing up looks different for everyone. My recommendation to observe and be inspired by him isn’t about imitating him, but finding inspiration in how others navigate, promote themselves, and share their art, and then adapting that inspiration in a way that works for you

Follow Cornelius on Instgram

Cornelius’ website

WOULD YOU LIKE SUPPORT IN SHOWING UP MORE EFFECTIVELY IN 2025?

I can help you develop a plan and set of goals, so feel free to book a 1-2-1 online session with me. Sessions last an hour and are donation-based, with a suggested modest donation of a subsidised rate of £25 (subscriber exclusive and available until 28th February). A personalised plan will be sent following your session.

BOOK GIVEAWAY REMINDER 🍋🍋🍋

The draw to win one of two copies of The White Pube’s Poor Artists is still open. To be in for a chance of winning, enter the prize draw here. Deadline to enter is Friday 10th January at 12pm GMT. Winners will be drawn at random and notified by 13th January.

OPPORTUNITY LISTINGS 📋

There’s a nice list of opportunities coming your way, scheduled to send later on today (Monday 30th October). So keep your eye out for that second email!

SUPPORT ARTICULATE FOR THE PRICE OF A COFFEE ☕️💷

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WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER ⏩

I mentioned in my last newsletter that I would be looking back at my top five exhibitions of 2024. However, I feel there’s already plenty of content to digest in this edition, so I’ll include those reflections in my next newsletter. I’ll also be discussing some of the best artwork I’ve seen recently, along with my recommendations for exhibitions to visit in 2025.

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