Are you truly proud to call yourself an artist, or do you hesitate when people ask what you do? In this episode of Art Crush, artists Fi Marks and Paula Telizyn dive deep into the complicated relationship artists have with their own titles. From the romanticized 1950s trope of the "suffering creative" to the modern-day stigma of the flaky, unreliable "paste-eater," society has always projected heavy stereotypes onto the art world. But how many of those limiting beliefs are we, as artists, actually holding onto ourselves? Paula and Fi unpick the deep-seated self-sabotage that stops creatives from stepping into their power as ambitious business owners. They explore why "art as therapy" is a dangerous mindset for a professional, the difference between endless self-reflection and taking actual, physical action, and why you constantly need to return to your why. In this episode, we cover: The Burden of Perception: How the general public, the media, and galleries view artists—and why it needs to change. The "Flaky Artist" Myth: Unpacking where societal stereotypes come from and who benefits from them. Claiming Your Title: Why so many creatives are terrified to proudly say, "I am an artist." Action over Navel-Gazing: How to transition from endlessly examining your mindset to actually putting paint on the canvas. Join the Conversation:We want to hear from you! Are you proud to be an artist? Do you feel respected in your field, or are you fighting against expectations? Leave us a comment or reach out—we’d love to bounce ideas back and forth. Listen & Subscribe:New episodes of Art Crush drop every Saturday (UK time). If you found this episode helpful, please share it with your artist friends and follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Audible, or wherever you get your favorite podcasts! About Art Crush: Hosted by artists Fi Marks and Paula Telizyn, Art Crush is your unfiltered look into the realities, struggles, and triumphs of running an art business. We tackle everything from deconstructing colonialism in the art world to mastering the modern hustle, delivering punchy, thought-provoking episodes designed to shake up your creativity. Listen and subscribe! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and your favourite podcast platforms. Connect with the hosts: Check out The 51% at www.thefiftyonepercent.com Find Fi Marks' art at www.fimarks-art.co.uk Find Paula Telizyn's art at www.PaulaTelizyn.com