The Art of Finding Your Style

When I first started painting, I dreaded the question, “What’s your style?”

I had no idea how to answer that question.  I looked at the work of other painters at art markets and galleries, scrolled through feeds and YouTube, but this just confused me more. Instead of listening to my own instincts, I tried to figure out what and how I should paint.

But here’s what I’ve learned: authentic art doesn’t come from chasing someone else’s vision and it doesn’t come from deciding in advance, “This is my style.”

True style emerges organically.

It shows up when you stop trying to imitate, stop trying to fit into the mold, and start allowing your own hands, eyes, and heart to lead. Sure, you can follow design trends and limit yourself to what’s popular—but where’s the fun, challenge, and growth in that?

Over time, I discovered that my voice as an artist revealed itself slowly, through trial and error, through messy canvases and breakthroughs. My brushstrokes began to carry a certain rhythm. My colors started leaning toward palettes that felt alive to me. My florals, expressive and creative, became the language I most often speak in paint.

Now, people tell me they can recognize my work, that it looks like me. But here’s the thing—I don’t stay in one lane. My style is mine, but it’s not fixed. It evolves as I evolve, but there is always an essence of me.

So, if you’re an artist searching for your style, my advice is this: stop searching. Start creating. Paint the things that pull at you. Experiment. Fail gloriously. Try again. And little by little, your authentic voice will rise to the surface.

Because the art of finding your style isn’t about deciding who you should be, it’s about discovering who you already are.