Attitude Towards Art: Generosity

To be an artist, I feel that one should be open to the feelings of others. One should assist others in their journey. I've learned that art can be an aggressively competitive field where artists jealously guard their "secrets" (their techniques, their marketing efforts, etc.). Of course, This isn't always the case, but it is common. Early on in my professional career, I was faced with the "crossroads" decision whether to help market my adult students. My husband thought I was crazy having an art show and featuring my students! "They are your competition," he said. Well, he was right, but I felt that a greater principle applied. I knew then that the "right" decision was to help others in their journey. That night, I sold nothing but a good friend sold her first piece. It has started her on her professional art career. Since then, I've continued to help my students market their work, assisted other professional artists through art marketing seminars, and been totally blessed! I have felt that one must have their priorities straight. Relationships before profit, generosity, and giving back all must be adhered to. I regularly donate art to charities and you know what? I get much more back! The exposure is unmeasurable, the charities get the money from the piece, and another person is a collector of my work! Everyone wins. This is, by the way, one of my "mottos" that I conduct my business by. I desire that everyone who has any contact with my business, art, or self be blessed. Everyone can win when generosity is practiced!

Attitude Towards Art: Perseverance

As I teach, I try to incorporate the idea of perseverance into the whole creative process of art. I teach under the "rule" of : "Make your mistakes into Masterpieces!" or "Don't give up on any piece of art...Conquer the problem of why it isn't working and you'll have learned a valuable lesson!"
I can't tell you how many times I've used this. Countless times. That's how I've learned what I know in art. I analyze it and think of it as a puzzle. I persevere and figure out why a piece works and why it doesn't. Those lessons will transfer to other pieces and much will be gained. When a piece is "scrapped", valuable learning lessons are missed and you've reinforced the idea that you can't conquer that mountain. It breeds insecurities. Now, I may lay something aside and puzzle it out, but I don't ever paint over a piece and give it up. So, just a reminder...persevere and climb that mountain of a piece and you will benefit in many ways: in self esteem, in art knowledge, in confidence and in having a super finished piece of art!

Attitude Towards Art: Creative Freedom

For all of us who are busy creating art, there will be critics who will tell us that what we're doing is "wrong". They may even tell us that "you're not supposed to do it that way" or "you have to do it this way". I've been told by established artists: "You must paint only one style." "You can't use comlementary colors." , etc etc. etc.! Wow! How restrictive is that? Where would we be in the art world if we stuck to a rigid set of rules? There would be no impressionism, no modern art, no fauvism, etc. That being said, do I believe in having boundaries? Yes! I seriously doubt that a piece of art made by defecating paint onto a canvas is "ART"! (Yes, it's been done and people have paid loads of money for this work!). So, in everyday art, one must be free to reject some of what we've been taught so that we can be "pioneers" and "explorers" in using new techniques and styles, while still maintaining a professional demeanor and lifestyle. So, how do we maintain this "creative freedom"? Where does it come from? I've read many books and attended many classes but find that the "lightbulb goes on" creative moment is still the best. Why not try out new media, mixing them, and trying new ways of putting them together. Use a Q-Tip instead of a paint brush, try adding alcohol to the water based paint and see what happens. What do you have to lose? You have much to gain! Open yourself up to asking questions. Do I have to do it the "established" way? After mastering the "established" way of painting, branch out. Attack a creative problem using a variety of attacks. Change up the: texture, movement, subject matter, media, composition, lighting, contrast, etc. Art need not be all a"right brain" endeavor! Use the left side of your brain to "problem solve" the solution. Throw away your pre-conceived notion as to how is "has" to be done and open up your mind to new ways of accomplishing the art problem! I think you'll be surprised as to how it will turn out!

Attitude Towards Art: Courage

Well, this is my first post in my new blog, "All About Art". As I teach, I find that I learn also. I have learned much in my years teaching and producing art. Therefore, I wanted to share with others the lessons I have learned. I wanted to start with attitude, because I feel to be successful in an art career one must have the right attitude. And what would that be? Well, firstly, one must have courage. Courage to share with others in the face of possible rejection. Some are wonderful artists but lack the courage to put their works before strangers...How tragic. The world is denied wonderful works of art due to lack of exposure...traced back to fear. How does one combat that? One must believe in himself. He (she) must speak truth to himself. If a person wasn't raised by parents who told them that they could accomplish anything they put their mind to, then they must reinforce this themselves. "Everyone may not like my art, but that's okay. Lots of people like different kinds of art. Some will like mine. Others won't. That's okay. Just because everyone doesn't like it doesn't mean that it's bad..." I've had people rave about my art and buy multiple pieces and members in my own family will comment that they don't care for them! The most important thing is that you must like your own work. And, you need exposure! More about that later...