Michelle, I agree that fear can be a motivator, but doesn't it also place a noose around the artist's neck? People tend to stick to the familiar, "the thing that proved to work in the past " in order to assure that the bills get paid. I would call that the Kinkade phenomenon ( I'm in no way degrading his work). Those paintings work, they made him very wealthy, yet if he has not branched out, hasn't this also hindered him from exploring new ideas in his artistic growth?
Steven, being a perfectionist I have taken myself way too seriously over the years and I have gotten tired of living and conforming to the rules "within the box". I share your goal and I am also working on breaking negative ways of thinking.
I used to moan and groan, when things were not working the way I expected them to until I read this:
Quote:
A shoe factory send two marketing scouts to a region of Africa to study the prospects for expanding business. One send back a telegram saying,
SITUATION HOPELESS STOP NO ONE WEARS SHOES
The other writes back triumphantly,
GLORIOUS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY STOP THEY HAVE NO SHOES
|
Things are the way the are, but there are endless ways we can make things turn around and work for us. The trick is to find them.
If I listened to the rejection of gallery owners that portraiture does not sell in southern California, I would be painting landscapes now. Instead I have marketed myself, attended shows, approached stores, did home parties, etc.
If I wanted to wait until I have mastered every aspect of traditional portraiture, I might be too old to see what I was painting or too weak to hit the pavement to market myself. Instead I have chosen to do the best given with the skills I have at the moment and to keep working at getting better with each painting.
If I wanted to pay the bills I would have had no choice, but to paint landscapes. Instead I chose to branch out and find things that still fall within the field of portraiture and paint those to pay for my expenses.
If I wanted to do things the conventional way, I would still be waiting for sales. I would never admit to doing "home parties", but they do work if you put on enough charm and are passionate enough about what it is you do.
I chose to overcome my fears and anxieties and adapted the 2nd marketing scout's way of thinking. I forced myself to think outside the box and look for the possibilities. The lack of a portrait market in my area is no longer a negative thing, but a golden opportunity. By the time I am done, if you don't know what I do, you must not live in my area!
Negativity , whether imposed by teachers, contemporaries, family members, etc. hinders our progress. As long as we can be truly honest about our shortcoming, we all know weather certain critiques about our work have basis and that's the time to evaluate and find ways to improve. By perfecting skills over time, listening to sincere advise and being open to new creative ideas, there is no other way but to succeed.
Simon, I love
Quote:
|
Art and the artist are ever youthful lovers; criticism is their chaperon.
|
Why not add: "Endless possibilities the fuel of their love affair!"