Comments on: Stop Making Art : Deep Thought Thursday

By: Robert Scozzari

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:59:14 +0000

I had stopped creating art for when I started graphic design school. At the time, it was fulfilling my creative instincts. Then it wasn’t. I started working in the industry and gradually my work was being created to satisfy the needs of others. Graphic design is fun, but creating flyers for hardware stores is not creating art. The lack of creating art was the norm. I didnt realize what happened. I no longer considered myself an artist, but the day I realized that, was the day that I realized I was an artist. It took 20 years. I’m trying to be creative every day now. I call myself an artist again. I’m also happier than I’ve been for many years.
Robert

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By: Nanci Erskine

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:29:02 +0000

Time for a reality check, recent grads and art honeymooners.
Maybe a more interesting question for those of us who have been at this for more than 25 years, would be “when do you let yourself stop making art?” When have you made enough art? When do you let go of the dream that you will somehow rise to the top of your profession? become successful? get critically recognized? pay your bills with your art? When are you ready to move into other endeavors that will be equally fulfilling, but which you have told yourself you could not afford to do because you had to keep hammering away at your ‘art career’? I’ve done the gallery route, the academic route, the arts fellowships route, etc. I’m thinking I will probably need to keep painting, because it helps define who I am, it fulfills something in me. But – let’s all be realistic here- at the end of the road, there will be a large heap of STUFF, because what is marketable/appreciated decorative frou frou and what is truly meaningful art are not often the same entity. Now, everybody is an artist, just cuz they say so?
My dilemma? I don’t want to burden my offspring with a lot of ‘mom’s paintings’- a legacy of beautiful but never-the-less unsold work. I would rather have a large shredding/burning event. Then be happy that I realized that the world -my community- needed something else from me. Something more tangible? Something less self-indulgent? That’s why I’m a hospice volunteer. I am giving it one more push, but really, it all boils down to a luxury to be able to call oneself an “artist” in a world where millions are working on strategies just to survive.
I fear we have “dumbed ourselves down” to such an extent that the bar has been set way too low. And too many people are aiming for that bar.

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By: Dora Ficher

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 03:56:54 +0000

I am not sure if I ever thought about this. It is very unusual (for me) for a day to go by and not have made some kind of art. It might be the way that I am wired but my mind never stops creating. Sometimes I wish it would. If I’m not in my studio painting I am home drawing and painting with inks until the wee hours almost every day.
Since I am a doodler, it seems that I never stop.
I do have to agree with Ellene, after my father died I stopped creating. I stopped going to the studio for about 1 month…it was even hard for me to doodle…something that usually come automatically.
Once I did get back to the studio it was a bit hard at first. The 1st few days I destroyed (melted since I work with wax) everything I made.
Thank you for making me thing about this Alyson! Love to read everyone’s thoughts!

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By: Joanne Vallee Brunelle

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:14:55 +0000

As long as I am physically able I will make art in one form or another. I will not stop but sometimes there are pauses.

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By: Heidi Harner

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:16:12 +0000

Loved reading everyone’s thoughts! I resonate with many of you. Having taken a break over the holidays and determined to enjoy it, I am now back in the studio almost everyday (you have to take a day to grocery shop, go to the doctor, etc) and it’s so good to be back. Actually we are in the process of building a house, and it won’t be finished until June 2012…I’m really excited for my new studio, but I am making the best out of the small kitchen table I have for now. My goal is to become a professional working (and well paid) artist, so I have to take my work days seriously and never quit painting altogether.

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By: Gayle

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:14:29 +0000

Maybe never entirely. I have a painting that I have set aside for 3 years because I didn’t like how it was working. I’ve recently had new ideas for it and a renewed inspiration and I’m starting back with the hopes of finishing.

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By: Brenda Neal

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:37:20 +0000

In reply to Lynnette.

I agree!! I find I struggle ab it with feelings of guilt still if i take a day or two from my painting.. I have to learn after pushing myself so hard for a year to establish myself as a portrait artist,To just give myself a break now and the. And feel ok about it..

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By: Bret Taylor

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:35:19 +0000

I’ve painted and/or drawn every day since the start of 2010 – the goal is to reach 1000 days. I’m on day 744 as we speak.
There are certainly days when I’d love to take a break, though.

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By: Jasmine

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:35:14 +0000

In reply to Lynnette.

I totally agree with you, Lynnette.
I also agree with Jennifer though. When you have that spark that you don’t want to lose, the only good time to stop creating is during eating and sleeping (and some would say Sleeping is just you preparing to create tomorrow).
I have stopped creating to have a real job (it’s very fulfilling, but in a completely different way), but I find myself striving to find a creative outlet: dance, music, graphic design, weaving, cooking. So if you take into account everything else that I do that’s not my primary focus but is still creating, I still haven’t stopped. #missingthestudio

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By: Pat

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:19:16 +0000

When the distractions become too great. I work alone in a quiet studio and during the Holidays, I just can’t work. There’s always someone or someTHING that needs my attention and I find myself going into the studio for the wrong reasons.
I’ve come to accept the hiatus of November and December and then return in January refreshed and ready to begin a new year.

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