Lately I have seen a lot of art myths
related on social media..
now ...
the perpetrators don't use the term
myth..
but they unconsciously perpetuate the belief in the myth..
so today, I thought I would bust a few myths
for NON artists and artists alike..
1. Art is FUN
I hear this so often from non artists.
Which generally makes me roll my eyes.
Art is like any other career.
There are parts that are fun, and lots of tasks and problem solving that is not fun.
Organization, marketing, photography, planning, sorting and scheduling social media..
and cleaning up studio and work desks, take up lots of time and energy.
Creation is not fun.
It is a consistent act in surrender and release.
The job of art is to surrender control so that the creative spirit can move through the artist
and manifest in a new creation.
If you work a "regular" job, then you have a boss, a company that you work for, you surrender to and as artists we have the same situation..
but we surrender to our calling and to a desire to create what we hold in our vision.
Sometimes it works.
Sometimes it doesn't.
But it is always work.
2. The Starving Artist
I realize that this is a big topic and I could write a whole post just based on this one myth.
The myth is..
Don't be an artist, artists don't make any money...
If you become an artist you will alway be poor...
The truth is that having a 9-5 job
when you are an artist can make your life miserable.. and
having a job with a company and designated work week does not guarantee prosperity.
I know many people with "regular" jobs that always seem to be struggling financially.
The most important part of this is to
love your work..
the second thing...
Never force your art to make money.
and third
Never work at a job you hate, just to make money.
Find work that is creative and fun and that you LOVE to do
and create happily when you can..
Release resistance to accept new opportunities, ideas and assistance from others.
Making lots of friends who are artists will open doors to new and interesting ways to create wealth as an artist.
Learning business skills and using social media can definitely assist in creating prosperity.
If your motivation to be an artist was to
be rich and famous, chances are,
your work is less than authentic..
I completely believe in cultivating a deep sense of gratitude for my collectors, my readers, my viewers and of course my Gallerie.. and representation..
as I give thanks and always feel full, I am consistently
blessed.
Never doubt or fear that prosperity will stop,
or it will,
once you are in the flow of currency,
sail in on gratitude.
3. Artists are Messy.
You have all seen the videos.
The photos of artists with paint covered hands.
Painting happily with their fingers..
The pictures of messy studios.
Those images fuel
Myth #1..
art is fun...
Yes the creation of art can be messy.
My desks are often cluttered.
Especially in the midst of creation.
Some artists like to work that way.
I am not one of them.
I have to keep things tidied as I go..
If I cannot find something, to use in my work then it is useless to me.
So organization is key.
I generally work in a series.
That means that I continuously work on several pieces at one time.. in a theme
or focused around an idea.
It also means that I have to spread out take over the studio
and when I finish a few pieces..
I clean up around me before I begin again.
Being an artist is a hazardous job.
Working with Chemicals is dangerous.
Read the labels, go to the websites.
Non toxic does not mean you can use your finger as a brush..
it simply means that we do not know the long term effects of being exposed to those chemicals
Use gloves, wear a mask..
I use chemicals on a daily basis and I want to live a long and healthy life.
4. The Princess Syndrome
If I hear one more person complain that their mojo left,
I just might eat an art stick!
Seriously...
As an artist I can say that your mojo never left.
it is in the room with you, watching you complain that it isn't present..
I call it the Princess Syndrome, because some people are always waiting for that passion, that inspiration that mojo to show itself.. just like a Prince Charming..
that boy is never going to show up..
If you want to be inspired, just go to work..
I get up and go to the studio everyday.
and I have scribbled on a piece of paper a quote by
Chuck Close
"Inspiration is for amateurs, the rest of us just show up and get to work."
The more we complain about anything,
(including a lack of money)
the less we have of it...
Now let me be clear, I am not saying that I never feel "stuck"
or that I always know how something is going to turn out.
Because I don't..
it is NOT my job to know.
It is the creative energy, the muse, the creative spirit..
whatever you want to call it..
that
knows..
My job as an artist is just to be the conduit for the energy to flow through me.
Which sounds easy until you try it consistently..
The other thing about the creative force is that you cannot use it up.
If you use it it will keep coming back over and over ...
Never doubt or fear that it will stop...
or it will..
Next week
I will have my holiday collection finished
to share with you and I am also working on
my
Ripped and Torn collection
and learning a lot about antique papers what they will and will not do..
Thank you for always stopping by and for leaving such wonderful
comments..
C4N!
