If you’ve ever put your heart into a creative project and then felt paralyzed by fear, this video is for you. Overcoming fear of failure in art isn’t easy. In this video, I share the behind-the-scenes story of one of my most meaningful art projects—and the anxiety that almost kept me from moving forward

---

The Fear That Shows Up Right After the Excitement

I spent months designing a blanket inspired by the flora and fauna of the San Gabriel Mountains—researching, sketching, and figuring out how to turn my art into a knit product for the very first time. When the sample finally arrived, I was beyond excited. It was exactly what I hoped for.

But as soon as it came time to place a bulk order and invest real money into producing it?
Cue the spiral.

What if no one buys it?
What if I just wasted all this time and energy?
What if I was excited… for nothing?

Behind the Art: A Personal Story

This blanket wasn’t just a product. It was a love letter to the San Gabriels—especially meaningful after the devastating fires in Eaton Canyon. It became a tribute to resilience and rebirth.

But fear doesn’t care how meaningful your project is. It just wants to keep you safe. Which often means… stuck.

Fear Isn’t a Stop Sign

There’s a quote I love from the book Art & Fear:

“Artists don’t get down to work until the fear of doing nothing finally exceeds the fear of doing it badly.”

That hit me hard. Because that’s exactly where I’ve been: stuck in the “what if it fails?” loop.

But here’s what I’ve come to realize—fear is just proof that you care. If you didn’t care, you wouldn’t feel anxious at all. You’d just keep going.

The truth is, artists who succeed aren’t fearless. They just keep going with the fear.

Shifting the Question

So I’m choosing to reframe it.

Instead of asking What if it fails?,
I’m asking What if it works?

That tiny shift changes everything. It makes room for hope. It makes room for possibility. And it makes moving forward feel just a little less scary.

I still don’t know if this blanket will sell. But I do know this: letting fear stop me would be the only real failure.

---

Watch the Full Video + Subscribe

In this video, I share the full story of creating one of my favorite projects—and the fear that almost made me give it up. If you’ve ever felt scared to take the next step in your art or business, you are not alone.

Click here to watch on YouTube and subscribe to my channel for more behind-the-scenes stories, creative encouragement, and honest reflections from a fellow artist doing this thing one brave step at a time.

---

OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE:

• Connect with Customers Through Storytelling
• The Artists Who Succeed Aren’t the Most Talented
• How to Grow an Art Business While Working Full-Time