Hey Everyone,
So, I'm sitting here, trying to put into words what's been going on in my head lately. It's not the typical newsletter with a list of gigs and successes because, honestly, that's not where I'm at right now.
The truth is, the music and art business is a wild ride, way more complicated than it seems. You see all these artists posting about their conquests, their victories, and sure, it's great to celebrate those moments. But there's another side to the story that often goes untold. While signing with a new agency brought hope, the reality of selling ambitious projects like "Fluttering Colours" proved challenging. Climate change, though crucial, isn't exactly a hot topic, you know? Sometimes, I question if this new world of flashy performances and sexy appeal truly aligns with who I am as an artist. I refuse to be defined solely by outward appearances; I long to be recognised for my depth and creativity.
Yet, amidst these reflections, I find solace in the diverse audience that surrounds me. Your support, whether through Instagram follows or newsletter subscriptions, means the world. But I can't help but wonder: What more can I do to bridge the gap between creation and appreciation? Why is it that we curate our Instagram and TikTok feeds to showcase only our successes? Why don't we talk about the failures, the struggles, the doubts? Wouldn't the world be a better place if we were all a bit more real?
I want to be recognised as an artist capable of writing, painting good art, and creating beautiful lyrics and melodies—not just someone with a good booty. And because I am a woman, that is very difficult. "Would it hurt a lot to show a bit of booty?" maybe not but what is the price? What kind of target would I attract? Analysing my followers on Instagram, I noticed that the people who follow me are exactly 50% women and 50% men, and I love it. The age ranges from 25 to 45, and I love this too. I think I'm working towards the right target, an audience that appreciates me from feminine to masculine energy. I don't have a flood of men following me because they hope to see something more. I feel appreciated for real. Yet when it comes to support—buying canvas, subscribing to the newsletter, or sending gifts through reels—nobody shows up. What am I doing wrong?
In this newsletter, I would love you to engage with me and tell me if there is something that doesn't look right for you. Are the canvases too big? Do you not trust me, so you don't send money? Don’t you like the art? Are you afraid that your money will be lost somewhere? Would you like to be seen and promoted as a sponsor? Do you want to stay anonymous instead and fear being exposed? Because we are all different, and it would be amazing if we could talk about it. We artists need YOU because without an audience, the artists and the art don't exist, unfortunately. In Timothy Morton's words, "All art is ecological" Until my music is heard until my paintings are seen, they exist in limbo. That's where you come in. Your validation, your feedback, your support—these are the lifeblood of my artistic journey. Gone are the days of patrons and sponsors; today, artists wear multiple hats, from social media managers to content creators. The burden of self-promotion often overshadows the joy of creation.
But I refuse to be disheartened. I'm committed to sharing my art, not just through screens, but in real-life experiences. I long to travel, to collaborate, to immerse myself in new environments that inspire creativity. While trying to survive without doing any other job than "The Artists" because being an artist is a full-time job. In the past, there were recent supporting artists. Today, yes, you can have Patreon or YouTube, but I have to be a manager, social media manager, content creator, video maker, editing master, photographer, and much more. And it doesn't make sense to my mind! I would love an entire team at my disposal to capture the better angle of me writing this newsletter while I pour my heart out, illuminated by a ray of sun in my house on an island, but I'm by myself. I should set up a stand, and a camera, choose the post location, choose the best profile, dress up, put makeup on myself, be attentive to the sounds in the background, and then edit everything and make colour corrections so that I can make one post. How does it sound to you? Sounds like a spontaneous thing or something extremely affected where I have to showcase something to have your support?
I'm not saying I don't want to work to have your appreciation. I'm just saying that the world has changed a lot and it's not very welcoming for an artist anymore. Recently, I had an interesting conversation with my friend Matt who is touring all over the world with bands as a drummer technician. He invests in crypto, and NFTs, and sells his designs on Amazon and other shops. He told me "You should open a TikTok so then you can reach more people because what you have is unique". Okay, but it's always the same job, working on something to attract someone. When my question is: shouldn't I attract people simply because I do what I do and you like my art or my music or both?
This said, I'm working to deliver as many shows as possible all over Europe this year, but also to travel and make artists residencies around as much as I can. Because I want to create new things in new environments and I want to meet new artists make many collaborations and fill my life with less social media thinking and more art thinking. To "content create" my art and not stories or reels.
📩 Connect with me:
Instagram: @bsp.performs
Email: bspsingerpainter@gmail.com
And hey, let's take this conversation further. Are you aware of any free art residencies all over Europe? Do you want to invite me to your country to experience the culture and create something together? Are you someone who likes what I do? Who appreciates me? Do you want to help me continue living my life as an artist full-time? Don't be shy. Let's help each other, let's feel seen, and let's send a message like "I got you" because it means the world. Especially in these hard times when the world seems to collapse, this is one of the many things you can do without feeling helpless!
Thank you for your patience, and I hope this captures your sentiment accurately. Let's connect and make a difference. ✨
B.