Comments on: When You Don’t Know What You Want from Your Art

By: Michael Newberry

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:23:47 +0000

Thanks Alyson for bringing this up and including an image.
What do you all think about the hardest thing is the communication with collectors? The actual painting, learning art stuff, doing paint outs; the art thing, is a natural fit. But really understanding, from the collectors point of view is foreign territory. A friend of mine is a great designer, loves shopping, and seeing that from the opposite side. How many of us artists are collectors, or shop for art? (okay, not lot of us can afford it!) 🙂 A goal of mine is to become more familiar with wearing the collector’s shoes.
Michael

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:22:52 +0000

In reply to JudiLynn.

JudiLynn: I’m sorry to hear about your job loss, too. I hope something becomes available soon.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:21:45 +0000

In reply to Will Eskridge.

Will: I’m sorry to hear about being laid off. That day job can really free up one’s mind to focus more on the art career. It’s a catch 22.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:20:36 +0000

In reply to Sue Favinger Smith.

Excellent points, Sue. An art career can’t be just a good idea. It has to be more than that.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:19:42 +0000

In reply to Bervyn.

Bervyn: I was referring to the sentences that came before that statement. You need money coming in. If it isn’t coming in from your art, get a day job to take care of your financial concerns.

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By: Bervyn

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:16:50 +0000

Alyson, thanks for the great tips. But could you elaborate a little on – ‘If you don’t have a day job, go get one.’ Thanks again.

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By: JudiLynn

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:00:23 +0000

Will Eskridge. Will! I'm so glad to hear I'm not alone right now! I've been painting fairly regularly the past three years, but lost my job this past March with no benefits. I've survived by the grace of God and the friends I've been sent, but charity has run thin. I haven't had a single job interview and am at the wall now. Pretty hard to concentrate of creativity when you don't know where you'll be next week, but I'm painting as if all is well, anyway, because I love creating. I'm also preparing for a group show that I and two other artists are determined to put on - no idea how it will be funded, but we're working on that. It would be GREAT if anyone out there could share where a literally starving artist can go to keep the rent paid while we work! I'm not giving up without a fight!]]>

By: Sue Favinger Smith

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:46:52 +0000

above all I think the artist has to have an unwavering belief that this is what he or she is supposed to be doing, to the point that the work, the sacrifices, the disheartening moments are not enough to dissuade you from continuing. Being able to look at a body of work you just completed and see where you need to grow instead of holding on to what you accomplished is also essential.

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By: Will Eskridge

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 21:01:53 +0000

I’ve been “going at it” with my art since I got out of college back in ’99. I’m still not sure what I want from my art, but I keep making it while maintaining a 9-5. Well I recently got laid off from the 9-5 and although it has left me more time for my art, it’s just as paralyzing. I have time to think about my ideas and critique my art a lot more which is great, but the pressure of finding a job to pay bills has really sunken in now I’m really not sure what I’m supposed to do.

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By: Patty

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 20:44:27 +0000

Casey Craig makes a good point. Recently the question came up, “If you won a million dollars tomorrow, would you continue to do X” If you can say, Yes, I’d still want to create, you’ll do just fine. If the answer is “No, I’d kick off my shoes and buy an island”, then this isn’t the life for you.
I would add that this is a job. Yes, it’s the greatest job ever, but you still have to show up regularly and do the hard work, much of which doesn’t get recognized.

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