As an interesting talking point, I thought it would be fun to discuss the nature of posts like these in terms of artistic value. I think people do conflate validation and value to mean the same thing when it's anything but.

Using this whole cake analogy, I think artists view it from the sense that they made something so therefore if no one validates it, it has no value. I can understand this mentality as social media makes it appear that popular art is what's considered highly valuable.

Whether it's fancy photos, lifestyles, art, etc. there is a lot of value placed on trying to make something memorable. We understand the nature of this system because there is a difference between valued and not valuable. However, how this is determined becomes trickier online.

Complexity? Simplicity? Likes? Comments? What do you find valuable in art? This can be anything as that value will change depending on the person.

Simply put: All art has value, but not everyone sees value the same way. Therefore, your art will not be valued by everyone.

Value isn't determined by JUST the hard work you put in. This sounds hard to hear but it's true! Many people aren't looking for value inherently in that. It could be other things they consider valuable which is why they care specifically for certain concepts, ideas, and more.

The reason why I tell people to develop their skills and find a niche is simply because of how art is perspective. If you're trying to appeal to people who don't value cakes for example (using the OP post) of course they won't be interested! It doesn't mean much to them.

Trying to appeal to general audience is extremely difficult and takes a lot of time and effort that won't always be praised. Validation is very addictive for how reassuring it is, but it's also destructive. It's comforting and safe, but doesn't really tell us anything.

The first thing might be to think that validation is tied to value, but in reality, very little do likes, comments, and shares equate the actual value of the work we make. It's possible spend hours on work you personally value, but not be validated by others.

There are hundreds of professional artists online who post high quality illustrations and get very little feedback. Why? It could be for a variety of reasons like not posting often due to work, but you wouldn't say they don't have value because of the little validation they get.

Some people just value different things. That can include wanting validation, but it's hard to chase as it's fleeting. We may think this won't change overtime, but it does with art especially. Art movements in particular always shift in terms of this historically.

Artists tend to have set habits that are valued (hard work, effort, timing/planning). When looking at the finished product, many people aren't seeing that. They're seeing the overall culmination of it. The artwork is what people judge value by because it's understandable.

We judge instinctively. With art, you're only showing the overall idea and how it's executed. That is what people ARE perceiving from finished artworks

Social media simplifies this issue into a matter of the number interactions when it's about engagement.

You may see me harp about engagement on my platform and how I VALUE (haha) that over likes, shares, etc. This is because I VALUE talking to others or else I wouldn't use social media. I think this conflict of interest is prevalent with many artists as well. Interactions v. Value.

This doesn't mean that people CAN'T understand your hard work or that the final product ONLY matters. It's just a part of that perspective! People who aren't artists may not acknowledge those artistic concepts directly. Artists themselves may not see that some people don't care.

This is exactly why placing ALL of your value from validation can be a problem. What if you're appealing to people who don't value your work? What value does it have then? You can't place that entire burden on the public.

Validation can also be good in theory as a form of support. However, a problem I'm noticing is that artists are conflating being supportive with constant validation. It's incredibly unhealthy to the creative mindset as you're not creating for yourself, but for ONLY for others.

This isn't me trying to pull any "true artist" bs. Simply put, validation is nice, but valuing your work and what you make is more fulfilling. It's not ignoring others, but understanding and acknowledging that not everyone will value your work and that's okay.

What I think people need to hear starting out on social media is that it's very easy to develop destructive habits in the name of finding validation. Wishing you had 100s of followers and that everyone loves your work without question is wonderful...but reality isn't like that.

Romanticizing the validation we WISH we had instead of valuing what we HAVE and HOW we can grow is what leads us down a destructive path. I think a lot of artists who have felt this way know what it's like and I understand. It's very hard to break out of and it's not easy.

If you were to lose everything overnight, would you still create? No social media, no likes, comments, etc. Would you say your art still has value TO YOU? I'd argue ALL art has value inherently because YOU GIVE IT value! Validation =/= value simply because this can change!

Always understand that YOU are the one who gives your work value. And it can be extremely difficult, but that's the only way you'll learn to be happy with your art. Not just by likes or comments, but knowing even without that, you'd still be proud posting what you make.

This is a really fun discussion! As always, remember there aren't really any "right" or "wrong" answers to this! It's all a matter of how you view social media and what functions it serves for you!