How to Make Queer Art
By Genevieve Balivet (she/her/hers)
You may have heard the term “queer art,” but what does it mean? When I first heard it, I assumed queer art was, well, art made by queer people. But as I explored, I found it’s more than that. Queer art explores what it feels like to be queer and its effect on how you move through the world. It’s representation, so it’s an important part of making queer people visible and educating others about our struggles.
All this makes queer art sound fancy and inaccessible to non-artists. But the truth is, anyone can make it—any age, experience or education level, and identity. As a form of self-expression and a way to have fun, queer art has no rules. It can be serious or silly, sad or joyful. And it can take any form: writing, film, dance, music, photography, painting, sculpture, sewing, crochet, printmaking, and so much more. With queer art, anything is possible.
Because it’s so diverse, trying to make queer art for the first time can be overwhelming. As a queer artist, I get stuck on where to start, even though I’ve been doing this for a while. Here are some tips for how to begin making your own queer art.
Think About Your Message
All queer art has a message, key idea, or topic the artist wants to express. Sometimes this is simple: saying “I’m queer!” or defining an identity. Other art goes beneath the surface and explores how it feels to exist as a queer person. Whichever you choose, this is the most important part, as well as the trickiest. With so many possibilities, how do you decide?
My suggestion is to narrow it down. While you could try expressing your entire identity in one piece, it's difficult. Instead, choose something more specific. Think about what makes you frustrated or happy about your queer experience. Consider other parts of your identity—race, ethnicity, religion, disability—anything that interacts with how you experience queerness. Recall your hobbies or interests, your relationships, your career, your home, your dreams or fears for the future. Look up queer history or community issues. Any of these can help you envision what you want your queer art to be.
As an example, I’m planning a short memoir about being aromantic (aro), focusing on what it feels like when my non-aro friends get married. It’s specific enough I won’t be tempted to explain everything about being aro. Yet there’s plenty to explore: how society teaches us to value romance over friendship; the tension of trying to get one-on-one time with my friends without upsetting their partners; and how I can feel left behind. I’m writing about my experience, but it can resonate with the aro community. It educates non-aro people too. Settling on a specific idea like this can set you up for a great piece of art.
Keep in mind this idea didn’t come to me right away. Everyone’s creative process is different, so you might have to mess around before you discover your message. Don’t be afraid to play with possibilities, and don’t let yourself be constrained once you land on an idea. Give ideas room to grow organically.
Choose your medium
Once you’ve come up with an idea, think about how you want to express it. What materials and tools do you want to use? This will depend on how you like to express yourself—words, visuals, sound or movement—and what you already know how to do. (Don’t be afraid to pick up a new craft either!)
Additionally, let your message influence your choice of materials. Seasoned artists will tell you the medium they use is an important part of conveying the piece’s message. For example, creating a stone sculpture suggests the object is permanent, while making it out of porcelain suggests it’s fragile. For my piece, I’m using writing because I want to state things people don’t usually put into words. Specifically, I’m writing a memoir because I want to focus on my own experience, not other people’s or a character’s. I choose writing, and the genre I use, because they’re the best ways to explore my topic.
Now, time to figure out logistics: what do you need to complete your piece? How much of your materials do you need, or how long do you want a performance to last? If you don’t have supplies on hand, this might mean going to your local craft store. (Some thrift stores have art supplies too!) If your idea is a big one and needs more funding, organizations like Queer | Art can provide grants or scholarships for your work. If you have something smaller in mind and live near the Ottawa Area Center for Pride, we have plenty of art supplies you can use during our open hours.
Make it
Every artist has a different process, but here are a few general tips:
Make practice runs or rough drafts before the real thing. Trust me, the first draft is usually bad—you don’t want that to be your final. Before you break out the expensive art supplies or start a recording, brainstorm and practice. Play around, make your mistakes early, and each attempt will get you closer to your final version.
Learn about your art. Especially if you worry what you’re trying to make is above your skill level, try to refine your art skills. You can look for online courses, either free or on paid platforms like Skillshare or MasterClass. You can also find books at a bookstore or library, or even connect with a local artist group. This can help you make something you’re satisfied with and increase your skills and connect you with a community in the process.
Make creating a habit. If you can’t finish a project in one day, try to work on it consistently. This helps you keep up your creative momentum even if you have a busy life. I aim for at least five minutes each day, but if that’s not possible, set aside time for yourself—once a week, once a month—to work on your piece. It keeps your idea alive and lets you make steady progress toward your goal.
Be patient with yourself. The creative process is messy, and sometimes it can feel like your piece isn't going to turn out. Remember it takes time and work to move from the chaotic middle stages to the final form. If you find yourself getting frustrated, take a break, come back, and keep trying.
Stay inspired. Do things that feed your creative spirit throughout the process. Listen to music or watch movies or shows you love. Explore other artists who inspire you. Enjoy nature, eat food, read books, have conversations—do things that make you happy and make you want to create. Experiencing life will help you produce art that comes alive.
What Next?
When your artwork is finally done, it feels amazing, whether you’re proud, excited, or just relieved it’s finished. But what do you do with it? That’s up to you, depending on your comfort level. You can share it with the world through art shows, contests, or social media (if you’re old enough). If you really like making queer art, you can set up a small business selling it. You can show or give it to affirming family and friends. Or you can keep it for yourself if you don’t feel ready to be seen. Like there are no rules, there are no wrong decisions here.
Whatever you decide, remember your queer art is valuable. As a giver of queer joy and a way to express yourself, your art fights against a world that wants to erase queer people. Hopefully this guide can help launch you into your first (or next) queer art project. Good luck, and happy creating!
