Comments on: Introduce yourself confidently as an artist (65)

By: Performing arts students MUST have a portfolio

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 14:14:01 +0000

[…] A portfolio is a collection of your child’s greatest hits in performing arts. It’s usually the most impressive performances and experiences, but a portfolio can include something surprising. The purpose is to make an impact. […]

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Sat, 16 Oct 2021 13:33:11 +0000

In reply to essjay.

Essjay: I’m so happy you found this when you needed it.

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By: essjay

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 07:55:36 +0000

This post has been a wonderful discovery – and shall we say, well timed! The advice from Alyson is spot on and the feedback from peers, so interesting. Having spent a number of years as a stay at home mum of 3 children following a successful corporate career, (albeit in a creative industry) I have found the attitude towards artists and stay at home mothers to be quite similar – one of well, that’s not really a job is it? Deep down I know it is my own lack of self-esteem and need for validation from others that is the problem. I truly believe that we can have several careers in a lifetime – and get fulfilment and hopefully financial security.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 14:36:33 +0000

In reply to Qandeel Zahra.

Qandeel: You are still working on your BFA, so don’t put too much stress on yourself. I do, however, suggest journaling and meditating on your art. Spend lots of quiet time just looking at the art and letting it talk to you. I promise you’ll hear it.

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By: Qandeel Zahra

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 08:15:49 +0000

I am doing bchlors in Fine Arts and my interest is photography painting and other art work ..but the photography is the main interest M so cnfused alway when some one asked me about my work ..my issue is this,that i can explain some one about my work or when i said that i am an artist .but cant say something else ..how i intruduce my self as an artist i cnt understand it ..and i having lack of confidence can’t face the people with my work and explain my work well..plz help me .

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By: Pip Taylor

Fri, 11 Jul 2014 09:59:23 +0000

when i was 29 (1994) i had a brain haemorrhage on the left hand side of my head, then in May 2012 i had a serious fall down some stone steps landing on the right hand side of my head – 6 weeks later i picked up a pencil and found that i can draw…???
i now have a Facebook page called ‘Pip’s Pics’ where i show my progression and a ‘twitter’ account which i use to follow various ‘artists’ (@pip64pip) i also attend an art class (for the over 60’s!!!) which i LOVE 🙂
please take a look at my amazing ‘journey’

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By: Aradia

Mon, 30 Jun 2014 11:47:57 +0000

It’s funny that I come across this post now as I find myself moving deeper into the kind of art that I do. Like several here I work with a variety of mediums. While I have always privately considered myself an artist (I’ve created things since I was a small girl.) The idea of putting it out there often meets resistance from others. There are the typical of responses of disbelief that someone could make money doing so, or the ideas that art denotes a certain medium. So I find part of my mission as an artist, other than creating & bringing beauty to the world in my own way, is to help people see artistry where they might not have otherwise.
The latest endeavor of this has been a real personal challenge because of my own preconceived notions. I have since stopped referring to myself as “artist” and started saying “Fiber & Wire Artist” since I work with the fiber arts and make jewelry as my primary mediums. This always seems to get the response of, “o what’s that” which is nice & encouraging. In the off chance (it’s happened a few times) that it doesn’t get a good response it illustrates that they weren’t terribly interested and it was mostly for politeness that they were asking. For me the schtick comes in that I personally have a hard time seeing fashion & accessories as art. It’s easy to characterize a painting or photography or any 2D media as art. But something I’ve come to realize is that: Art is an evocation of emotion. It is both felt by the creator and the observer in differing ways. But each has value and purpose even while juxtaposed to one another sometimes.
Now with this evolution from privately saying “artist”, to publicly declaring it (and while I have most always held other jobs I more usually lead with “I’m an artist” because it’s wholly more comfortable than talking about a “day job” I can’t stand and it puts me in a more positive position for the conversation. It’s nice to hear someone speak on something that enlivens them versus something that doesn’t!) To now slowly refining it. But now I’m taking it a step further by more carefully defining my title as an artist because I feel guided in that direction. It’s an interesting journey to be sure!

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 18:35:06 +0000

In reply to Bridget Syms.

Bridget: Don’t ever assume that someone doesn’t want to pay what it’s worth.

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By: Bridget Syms

Sun, 27 Apr 2014 12:46:23 +0000

This is a brilliant subject. I always answer that I’m a working painter, which is exactly what I am as I use these skills both with my creative work and my restoration work. The killer question is “What do you paint?” I then explain that dogs and birds figure in my work, in often surreal situations, in oils. I then direct them to the web site of the gallery that represents me. The last time this happened I was asked if I could do a portrait of a Grandmother’s beloved budgerigar! (I didn’t take it up, I think he wanted it on the cheep)

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 21:42:23 +0000

In reply to Terese Martinez.

Congratulations on taking this step, Terese. Sounds like it feels really good. And I’m so happy you shared it with us. Keep up the good work!

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