Comments on: Dealing with Bumps in the Road: Remember to Persevere

By: Frank Zweegers

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:43:06 +0000

I do agree with you all the way! Point 7 is the most important to me. If you do not belive in what you do, you will never be successful and most of all – you will not be happy with yourself and that’s the worst that can happen … Great post!

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By: Anne Shutan

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 17:36:24 +0000

I find that perserverance is key to my art, my life. I’ve been making a living creating my art for over 28 years. I keep making the decision over and over to create. That the more I believe in what I do and commit to it’s prosperity then providence moves. “Whatever you can do or dream, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.Begin it now” Goethe
Goethe’s quote that leads up to that is brilliant. If I get a request I will put it up here. Make art! Anne Shutan

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By: Patricia C Vener

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:28:43 +0000

Perseverance: reloading until the site came up readably.
I see perseverance as determination. So while I know why my art is selling as I’d like it to – finding the right audience – I am not dismayed but rather encouraged because I am working to rectify this. Point number two, putting together a strong support system is a work in progress but the key word here is “Progress.” It takes time when one is starting out with nothing for support . Yet, almost surprisingly, building a support structure (or system) can be done. Just not overnight. Alyson, her newsletter/blog, and her book are key elements in this, of course.
Point three, familial boundaries, is less well established. In some instances it can’t be – I’m the primary caregiver for an ailing parent. I can, however, be more adamant in applying boundaries with respect to other calls on my time. Point four is, well, in need of being addressed and point six is easy.
My point here is that at any given time any given artist will be working on all of these at different levels of accomplishment.
Yikes, I am verbose!

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By: Karen Steffano

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:11:50 +0000

Thanks for this – sometimes you need a reminder on how to keep going.

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By: Lee McVey

Mon, 31 May 2010 17:19:02 +0000

This article on perseverence is very timely and serendipitous, too. I just bought Julia Cameron’s book “Finding Water: The Art of Perseverence.”
Looking forward to its guidance. I appreciate Alyson’s newsletters for their reminders. I’ve been needing a lot of that lately. Getting back on track doesn’t always go smoothly for me.

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By: Alison

Mon, 31 May 2010 16:40:23 +0000

Thanks Alyson…Excellent points that I need to remember…especially being a work in progress.

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By: Patrick Gracewood

Mon, 31 May 2010 16:10:08 +0000

I’m reminded of my commitment to my work every time I look at the art I’ve collected and have in my office and studio. It inspires and encourages me to keep going.

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By: Philip Koch

Mon, 31 May 2010 15:22:50 +0000

I’d like to add to Alyson’s list:
8. Go to art museums to get recharged and to learn. Realize as an artist you are part of a great movement of people who made the world a better place. I am glad THEY persevered.

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By: Adventure-Some Matthew

Mon, 31 May 2010 14:37:04 +0000

I agree that persistence is the number one reason that most artists succeed. Personally, right now, I need to keep in mind that I am a work in progress. I keep wanting to find “my style” or “my subject matter”. Looking at my work over time I do have a style and a preferred subject matter. It doesn’t feel that way as I hop through different mediums and different subjects, however.
Thanks for this great list! Concise and each one vital to success as an artist!

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