I recently watched The Warhol Diaries on Netflix. It’s about the iconic artist Andy Warhol. During one episode, they mentioned the concept of an artist becoming the art, and I thought this was interesting because of how it connects to personal branding.
Andy didn’t just make art; he was art. His carefully curated public image — the silver wig, sunglasses, monotone voice, and mysterious persona — became as iconic as his famous soup cans and celebrity portraits.
Andy saw the future. Warhol understood that in a world obsessed with image and social media, the artist could be just as much a product as their creations. His life blurred the lines between art and business, showing that the way you present yourself can be just as impactful as what you produce. This idea has powerful relevance today for anyone building a personal brand online.
I’m not suggesting that you become an outrageous, mysterious person. Quite the opposite. But, in a world dominated by social media, like it or not, you are often the product. Following Warhol’s example means realizing that how you show up and present yourself is important.
Whether you’re an artist or not, curating a consistent and recognizable persona — through visuals, voice, and behavior — can make you stand out in a crowded space.
Like Warhol, you can think of your public self as a canvas: What are you about? What’s your art about? What do you want people to remember about you? How do you want to make them feel? How can you present yourself in the best possible light? How can you stand out without being obnoxious or outrageous?
I think the details matter. Warhol’s genius was in making himself inseparable from his art. For anyone in the business of making art today who actually wants people to see and buy their art, I think that’s a great lesson.