”What separates artists from ex-artists is that those who challenge their fears continue; those who don’t, quit.” Art and Fear
Isn't it what most of us take? There aren't many people who will go out of their way to make life difficult for themselves. We avoid hardship the same way as we avoid any pain in life, but sometimes facing the hardship is the only way to get to the other side. Its like that with art too.
Right now I'm stuck in a rut of sketching. I make little images that don't take much time or concentration. They are pleasing and will one day be an interesting record of life in the 21st century, but they are not of any signifigance as a major piece of art. I need to tackle a major group of art pieces and compile enough images to consider approaching a gallery. So what's my problem? Note the obstacles that I hurl into my path. All are removeable but I keep putting them there in the hopes that I can convince myself that I don't have enough ...... (fill in the blank) to achieve this.
Time. My day is stretched as it is. Where can I find more time in it to draw or paint?
Inspiration. Somedays, a piece of lint will inspire me; other days nothing will inspire and I become stuck in a deep hole of art block.
Fear. I enjoy the act of making art. I love the first mark on a clean white sheet of paper and seeing the image inch its way out of the fog. The fear comes when I have finished the piece and need to market it. I hate the act of selling or marketing myself. It makes me self conscious and uncomfortable. I hate putting my soul on the line to be praised or rejected. Either extreme makes me ill at ease.
I am at a juncture in life where I can slide into obscurity or move ahead and find a piece of light. I want both. I fear both. But this time I won't take the easy route. I will make time, find inspiration and overcome fears. I will move ahead.
Fuelled by coffee and another sketch...art, drawing, fear, artist's block, art and fear
7 comments:
What you failed to say is that everything you draw whether it is lint or something more elaborate, is frameable. And you know I am right as I am not the only one to say it. Don't you dare stop sketching. You will find the time. Stop cleaning house like I did. lol Jeanne
Thanks for the support Jeanne. I won't stop sketching but I need to tackle some bigger pieces too and not get stuck in the little ones forever just because they don't take so much time and effort.
I am at this same place myself and understand completely the way you feel about taking this step. So I have given myself a year in which to produce some serious work. That gives me something that I can work towards and makes me feel that I am doing something positive and am moving in the right direction. I really think the key is in setting reachable goals! We CAN do this!!!!
That's a good plan Anita. It does take at least a year, perhaps two to build up a decent body of work. I need to stop wanting to make the process go faster and to stop making up excuses to not tackle the process itself. Not only CAN we do this; we WILL do this!!
I started this year off with a promise to myself to build a portfolio. I have not been successful but, the sketching is fueling the desire to paint, so I am slowly working to it all through the back door.
You are a wonderfully talented and skillful artist. I understand the not having enough hours in the day. is there a place wher eyou can leave the paintings out to work on as you have a moment here and there?
Jeannette - when you hear a great pianist do you remember how many times he has practised his/her scales? That's what sketching is - a preparation, a way of trying out ideas - it comes alongside producing more finished work. But IMO finished work without the experimentation and the practice that comes with sketching can look very stiff. It's not one or the other - it's both.
Loretta thank you for your words. I do have a room with my drafting table where current works lay and I find a few minutes here and there to add to it. There are often never enough minutes however. But it will come.
A yummy piece of paper! That indeed does help. Perhaps I'll browse an art store and find something interesting. Thanks Robin.
You're right of course Katherine. One doesn't happen without the other. I do find that the sketching does build my ability to see and place lines.
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