Art and The Artist

How often do you think of your artistic self in terms of output? What you accomplish and not what you are?

These two sides of yourself - the professional outer world and the inner imaginary world - cannot be separated without losing some vital element necessary for living a creative life.  Two women came into the gallery the other day with some cards they were offering on consignment.  What they really wanted was for the gallery to provide a solution, for someone else to take responsibility for their creative output.  They hadn't thought about the business aspects of creating, and had a "no" answer to every suggestion: Why not start an online shop?  Why not package in bulk?  They were still locked in the inner joys of creating and could not understand why they were hitting so many roadblocks.

But the reverse is also true.  If you become focused on the external demands of the marketplace and forget why you are creating art, then you are equally frustrated by roadblocks.  There is nothing worse than looking at a painting that totally bores you, has no life or spark but you keep plodding along because you think it's what the market wants.  The artist must learn how to live in the space between his personal creative identity and popular commercial style, to blend the inner world of imagination with the outer world of reality.  

Create art every day if you can.  Believe in your ability to both express your uniqueness as well as produce excellent quality.  Invest time in defining the business aspects that will help you achieve your professional goals.  And take time to live in the inner world of imagination, appreciating the creative life you are actually living. 

Comments

[Sue Smith]

No...thank you,Susan! I appreciate it.

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[Susan]

Sue, so frequently your posts resonate with me and where I am at any given moment. I'm always glad when I stop by here to see what's new. Thank you!

[Sue Smith]

Fiona and Jeanette - this post arosein part because I had been feeling frustrated overcompeting advice, and realized I was trying to paint according to someone elses experiences of the path to success. I realizedI had thingsout of balance. Researching artists and work I relate to has helped me to regain some feeling of control. Artists who eventually achieved excellence usually did so by following their own path and not conforming. I try to remember this each time I worry about what I am doing artistically.

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[Fiona Purdy]

Sue - this post couldn't have come at a better time for me. At the moment I am very conflicted about both sides of the equation. I am going nuts with the marketing side of it. I am second guessing my artwork and my thoughts are going round & round. Jeanette I think you've given me the solution to my dilemma. I need to step back, disconnect my brain for a short time f rom the biz side of it and just do the work. As you say the art needs to come first, everything stems from that.

[Jeanette]

This is very true. There has to be a balance to be able to create and enjoy creating and to work, almost simultaneously on marketing yourself and your art.

Neither is separate,but you art always comes first.