Elizabeth Olufowobi (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer
Can you be a bad artist?
That question has sat in the back of my mind ever since I began my art journey a few years ago. It first came from comparison, seeing other people’s work and wishing mine looked like theirs. But then I wondered, if my art looked exactly like theirs, from the style to the concept, wouldn’t the world lose the personal touch and voice that makes each artist unique?
So it begs the bigger question:
What Even Makes an Artist Good?
Is it technique? Recognition? Instagram likes? A million-dollar auction? Weirdness? Originality?
All those things matter. But at the heart of it, a good artist knows they have the freedom to express who they are, honestly and unapologetically, on the canvas, on the stage, in the sound or on the screen.
Let’s start with an uncomfortable truth: yes, someone can be a bad artist when they create in a way that’s untrue to themselves.
Let’s get into that.
Who Is an Artist, Anyway?
Let’s throw this idea out real quick:
Everyone is an artist.
I define an artist as someone who brings life to something inanimate in a unique, personal and on-brand way. Artists aren’t just people painting soul-touching portraits in quiet studios while listening to Mozart (no shade to Mozart, though).
An artist is anyone who creates with feeling and purpose.
Singers are artists; they use sound to soothe or shake us (shoutout to Adele, Hulvey, NF, my faves).
So are poets. And drummers. And dancers. Actors, photographers, web designers, fashion designers, architects and even teachers. All are artists in their own right.
If you use your voice, your body, your mind or your hands to bring creativity into the world that can move people . . . You. Are. An. Artist.
And if that’s true, then we have to revisit the original question with a clearer lens.
The Myth of “Bad Art”
When someone says, “that’s bad art” or “that’s ugly,” what are they really saying?
- “I don’t get it”
- “It’s unconventional”
But here’s the thing: art has never been about rules. And even if it were, rules are meant to be broken. If we judged art strictly by tradition, Picasso would’ve been rejected from every gallery. Basquiat would’ve been ignored. And Van Gogh . . . well, he already died broke and alone, so maybe not the best example, but his work matters deeply today.
The truth is, “bad” usually isn’t about the art, it’s about how people perceive it. Or worse, how people judge you for creating it. We’ve all been there, looking at someone’s expression, whether it’s on a canvas or a beat or a TikTok, and thinking . . . Ugh.
Not always because it’s bad, but because we don’t connect with it. And that’s okay. Art is personal. Connection is not universal.
Still, Let’s Be Real: Skill Matters
Now, don’t get me wrong: this doesn’t mean you can throw spaghetti at a wall and call it depth (although . . . modern art do be like that sometimes).
Skill, discipline and growth do matter. But you don’t need to be perfect to be an artist. You just need to be honest and willing to grow. Art that tries too hard to impress, to conform, to fit in? It becomes hollow. People can tell. You can be a “bad” artist, not because your lines aren’t straight or your vocals are shaky, but because your work lacks soul. Because you’re trying to sound or look like someone else.
If it wasn’t fun for you to create . . .
If it has no meaning . . .
If it says nothing about who you are . . .
That’s the real tragedy. You are not an artist, you are just another copy.
The Fear of Not Being “Good Enough”
Most people who think they’re “bad” artists are just scared.
- Scared of judgment
- Scared of being laughed at
- Scared that their work won’t look or sound the way they imagined
And that fear is valid. We live in a world obsessed with perfection, and perfection gets all the praise.
But here’s what we all know deep down:
- Every artist was “bad” before they got better
- Every masterpiece started as a mess
- Every creative voice takes time to find its shape
You can learn. You can grow.
I still cringe at my early artwork, to be honest.
But I also see my younger self trying. Trying to express, trying to feel, trying to find meaning. I see my voice beginning to peek through as I flip through old sketchbooks and messy collages. I see my 16-year-old self experimenting and asking, “Is this me?”
And that’s worth something.
That’s art.
Final Thoughts
Art is just . . . letting yourself breathe. It’s creating something that challenges people, starts conversations and touches souls. Sometimes it’s loud. Sometimes it’s soft. But it’s yours.
So, can you be a bad artist?
Yes. But not because others don’t “get it.”
You’re only a bad artist if you never start or never let yourself grow into your truth. We all have the potential to move people. So pick up whatever tool your soul speaks through: a pen, a mic, a brush, a blueprint, and use it.
Not for perfection.
For connection.
Create. Especially if it’s messy.
Because somewhere out there, someone needs what only you can make.
“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” – César A. Cruz
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Elizabeth Olufowobi is a deep thinker, storyteller and community-rooted creative who’s passionate about identity, growth and honest expression. Through her writing, she hopes to remind others that imperfection is not failure—it’s freedom.
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