I need to start shoveling the shit out of my life. There are a few things or people in my life that are just energy sucking/draining. I need to be free of these things in order to be happy. If I do not eliminate these things from my life I will always have an excuse to be miserable. I am stronger than that. I allow these things to get to me. SO therefore I should not complain. That has been my motto or mantra you might say....if I allow it I deserve it. Bad or good. I Need to heed to my own advice. Facebook is gone!
As for social networking goes....it was doing me a wonder for my art life. I was meeting people and getting exposure. I was connecting with other artists who have given me motivation. But when it has started to become a distraction I had to let the damn thing go. I would add people that I should not have been talking to in the first place. These are people that are poison in my life. These are people that probably want to see me fail. They enjoy sending me little annoyance of comments. Little tidbits they call comments. Sadly these are people that are family and friends I know personally. That is where the poison can come from. We as creators feed off of some kind of drama or life experience to give life to our work. We also can have poison in our life as a distraction and we cannot create. We can be so sad and distraught that we cannot even function. We are loving people. We want to inspire and be inspired.
Social networking is sometimes overwhelming. Sometimes you have to take a step back. This is a whole other world that people take seriously. They do not have enough sense or courage enough to call you or deliver the message personally when they are able to. They would rather hide behind their computer and bash you. Or play games. This is a distraction we do not need. It is funny...I cannot even believe i am wasting a posting on this subject. this posting should be about uplifting you as an artist family member of mine...Helping you relate to someone else about our art life and culture. Giving you some insight to another perspective to what bothers you. I want to be help to anyone that I can offer the help to. Sometimes we all need some uplifting. I always do. Everyday I ask the God above. over here. over there. I ask for God to smile upon us so we can join together in groups all over the world....we all need to be collectively creative and inspire. Life is so short we cannot be wasting our time and effort worrying about these idiots who do not have a life on social networking bashing each other. It is very hurtful being ridiculed. Embarrassed. We are all full of love when we were born. Somehow it was per-versed into an anger from life experience. All people have to do is remember where they came from. LOVE. that is where we came from. ANOTHER rambling. Create CREATE CreAte!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Representation
Wow this is going to be a loaded article. I do not even know where to start with this one. I know my garb can sometimes...or always come out like babbling But I guess it is healing to just let it out unscripted and raw. People can relate. Maybe someone can relate to me. I do not know how many people are still logging on to my articles...for the few that still are here it goes.
Artists all want to show their work and have some sort of recognition. Whether it is by family friends or a larger scale....the public. Or even worse the art scene in general. We all want to guage and see where we stand against our peers. We all differ as artists and all have our own voice and uniqueness. Yet we all want to see if we can get as much attention as our our fellow creators. Attention. Yes attention. We all want that comfort. We all want and yearn for being accepted. Our work to be loved and admired. It feels good. We get a sense of completeness. We all want that feeling. People in awe of our work. We can sit back and enjoy the groups looking and staring at our work. It feels really good.
We all want the above aforementioned. Sometimes this is not attainable by ourselves. We all need a little help. So we meet and greet. We attend shows and events in hopes of meeting that person that can help us get there. We all dive into this very world we promised we would not be a part of. The ass kissing I need to be friends with your tight stuck up ass in order to get my work shown. They have the control. And if we stand up for ourselves because they offend us we lose out on the opportunity. How do we deal with these people? Shit have been in a crazy journey. I have met good and bad. I have made what I thought were friends. And they end up being selfish people with their own agendas disguising themselves as people who love art and are there for the good of the artists. There are so many sharks. I personally like to deal with the professional courteous gallery owner or curator. they are all about business. They leave the ass kissing for the street. Your work speaks for itself with them. You know they are impressed because they are actually taking the time out of their very busy day to talk and work with you.
We really do not need to be buddies with these people. I understand where they are coming from. You have a product that has been untested and they are taking a chance with you. That is all fine and dandy. But if you are going to be working with artists be professional and organized. Be on time. Keep your promises. Keep them informed. I know it is asking a lot...but not really. Most artists are already insecure as it is. The new artists up and coming want to feel confident they are being helped by the right person. You had a lot of excitement and energy when you met the artists promising them you will show their work and give them a nice venue. Keep that energy and excitement. Show them that passion. Hide your frustration and do not complain when they are trying to overcome their fears. These artists are new to this crazy world. Show them some respect and do not treat them like they are dumb. They know about life....they just are not familiar with the art world....help them understand it. If you are not up to par with working with people and dealing with some pretty eccentric personalities then go dig ditches for a living. At least it is just you and dirt.
For the artists....hang in there. Keep painting and watch out for the sharks. Watch out for the "You owe me" attitude. You should not feel like you owe anyone when dealing with your work. If someone is KIND enough to work with you then they will get all they need back from you if they work with your art correctly, market it professionally, use your talent to get what they need(money) that is the gesture they are looking for....monetary compensation. They also like the exposure and notoriety. DO NOT pay someone to show your work. Consignment is a word you need to learn. "I'll do you this favor" is not a phrase you want to hear. Do not let the person working with you play head games. Just because a gallery is well known doesn't mean it is the right one for you.
For Curators/Gallery Owners/Promoters.....Treat us with respect. For those of us that are new to this world...help us out. We are just trying to learn. We have so much to learn. We are scared. We are very hungry as you are for the exposure and the excitement of being in this wonderful community of art. We can all get along much better if there was a level of respect that we all had to follow. Head games? We do not need them. Respect. Love. Inspire.
Artists all want to show their work and have some sort of recognition. Whether it is by family friends or a larger scale....the public. Or even worse the art scene in general. We all want to guage and see where we stand against our peers. We all differ as artists and all have our own voice and uniqueness. Yet we all want to see if we can get as much attention as our our fellow creators. Attention. Yes attention. We all want that comfort. We all want and yearn for being accepted. Our work to be loved and admired. It feels good. We get a sense of completeness. We all want that feeling. People in awe of our work. We can sit back and enjoy the groups looking and staring at our work. It feels really good.
We all want the above aforementioned. Sometimes this is not attainable by ourselves. We all need a little help. So we meet and greet. We attend shows and events in hopes of meeting that person that can help us get there. We all dive into this very world we promised we would not be a part of. The ass kissing I need to be friends with your tight stuck up ass in order to get my work shown. They have the control. And if we stand up for ourselves because they offend us we lose out on the opportunity. How do we deal with these people? Shit have been in a crazy journey. I have met good and bad. I have made what I thought were friends. And they end up being selfish people with their own agendas disguising themselves as people who love art and are there for the good of the artists. There are so many sharks. I personally like to deal with the professional courteous gallery owner or curator. they are all about business. They leave the ass kissing for the street. Your work speaks for itself with them. You know they are impressed because they are actually taking the time out of their very busy day to talk and work with you.
We really do not need to be buddies with these people. I understand where they are coming from. You have a product that has been untested and they are taking a chance with you. That is all fine and dandy. But if you are going to be working with artists be professional and organized. Be on time. Keep your promises. Keep them informed. I know it is asking a lot...but not really. Most artists are already insecure as it is. The new artists up and coming want to feel confident they are being helped by the right person. You had a lot of excitement and energy when you met the artists promising them you will show their work and give them a nice venue. Keep that energy and excitement. Show them that passion. Hide your frustration and do not complain when they are trying to overcome their fears. These artists are new to this crazy world. Show them some respect and do not treat them like they are dumb. They know about life....they just are not familiar with the art world....help them understand it. If you are not up to par with working with people and dealing with some pretty eccentric personalities then go dig ditches for a living. At least it is just you and dirt.
For the artists....hang in there. Keep painting and watch out for the sharks. Watch out for the "You owe me" attitude. You should not feel like you owe anyone when dealing with your work. If someone is KIND enough to work with you then they will get all they need back from you if they work with your art correctly, market it professionally, use your talent to get what they need(money) that is the gesture they are looking for....monetary compensation. They also like the exposure and notoriety. DO NOT pay someone to show your work. Consignment is a word you need to learn. "I'll do you this favor" is not a phrase you want to hear. Do not let the person working with you play head games. Just because a gallery is well known doesn't mean it is the right one for you.
For Curators/Gallery Owners/Promoters.....Treat us with respect. For those of us that are new to this world...help us out. We are just trying to learn. We have so much to learn. We are scared. We are very hungry as you are for the exposure and the excitement of being in this wonderful community of art. We can all get along much better if there was a level of respect that we all had to follow. Head games? We do not need them. Respect. Love. Inspire.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
A Man Has Got To Eat!
I find myself being to generous with my art. I find myself practically giving my work away. Seeing a smile light up when my work is given as a gift to someone who will appreciate my work is so fulfilling. It makes it all worth while. There are not even enough words nor can I think of any to describe the emotions I feel when someone walks away so happy they have a piece of work that I created and it has brought them happiness.
My life before was so aimless. Yes I am a father and love my children and grandchildren....that is a given. But my goals and dreams were blank. I did not have one. I was living day by day. I was getting up in the morning expecting the same outcome. I was hoping I could just make it to the end of the day without dying some tragic death. Tragic because I did not leave a legacy behind. I did not leave something that is there for my children to recognize who I was. A daily reminder. Not just a picture of me on a wall or an album. I want my children to be able to see their father was a good person and his soul loved and connected with people. This is what art does for us. We as creators cherish every moment we live on this earth. It is another opportunity daily to create. To be in a place where so very few people get to experience. In our own souls. Interacting with ourselves to get the best out of us. We are so fortunate to have been given this gift. Yet so many people have it and take advantage and abuse it. Even worse there are even a larger number of people that keep it to themselves and do not share with the world. Not sharing it for the sake of a way to relax and cope is one thing....not sharing your gift out of fear is sad. We should all respect each others creative outlook and representations.
There are people that are so critical of one anothers work. We all have a voice. We all have an opinion. We speak freely in a somewhat free society where we can express openly our sentiments. We can speak our mind and open ourselves up so that we can teach others. As artists I feel we all have a right to be individuals and not be afraid to share without scrutiny and negative gestures from others. It is even worse when the negativity comes from our own community. We should encourage on another. We should applaud one another for being brave enough to show the public our heart and soul leaving ourselves open to all. Yet we are humans. We are also sometimes unpredictable.
The ultimate compliment the public can pay an artist is a purchase. Someone expressing their love for your work by bestowing upon you a generous gift for your effort. Thanking you by giving your work a home because they appreciate you. At that point you are forever in the hearts of the art community. You have left your legacy. AND you have made a buck. A Mans Got To Eat!
My life before was so aimless. Yes I am a father and love my children and grandchildren....that is a given. But my goals and dreams were blank. I did not have one. I was living day by day. I was getting up in the morning expecting the same outcome. I was hoping I could just make it to the end of the day without dying some tragic death. Tragic because I did not leave a legacy behind. I did not leave something that is there for my children to recognize who I was. A daily reminder. Not just a picture of me on a wall or an album. I want my children to be able to see their father was a good person and his soul loved and connected with people. This is what art does for us. We as creators cherish every moment we live on this earth. It is another opportunity daily to create. To be in a place where so very few people get to experience. In our own souls. Interacting with ourselves to get the best out of us. We are so fortunate to have been given this gift. Yet so many people have it and take advantage and abuse it. Even worse there are even a larger number of people that keep it to themselves and do not share with the world. Not sharing it for the sake of a way to relax and cope is one thing....not sharing your gift out of fear is sad. We should all respect each others creative outlook and representations.
There are people that are so critical of one anothers work. We all have a voice. We all have an opinion. We speak freely in a somewhat free society where we can express openly our sentiments. We can speak our mind and open ourselves up so that we can teach others. As artists I feel we all have a right to be individuals and not be afraid to share without scrutiny and negative gestures from others. It is even worse when the negativity comes from our own community. We should encourage on another. We should applaud one another for being brave enough to show the public our heart and soul leaving ourselves open to all. Yet we are humans. We are also sometimes unpredictable.
The ultimate compliment the public can pay an artist is a purchase. Someone expressing their love for your work by bestowing upon you a generous gift for your effort. Thanking you by giving your work a home because they appreciate you. At that point you are forever in the hearts of the art community. You have left your legacy. AND you have made a buck. A Mans Got To Eat!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
How Do Artists Lift Themselves Up?
They don't! We work through it. I think as artists we should never use our personal troubles as an excuse not to create. We can not do certain shows attend events so we can recharge and move forward. Stopping the creative process is damaging to our legacy as an artist. We need to use our torment and sadness as a source for inspiration. Through this valley we travel we can find something beautiful. We can create something special. We have to work through it. At the moment we might not like what is coming out....but we will look back at that moment where we created and let our soul out as a wonderful experience of change or transition and it has been recorded.
Creating through this period is very challenging. Personally I am going through this trying time in my life. Through creating I have found happiness. I have found peace. The way I view my trials are very different as I have in the past. I felt all alone before. Now I feel as if I have a friend and confidant in my creativity. There is a calming affect when you let it all out on your medium/media/canvas...whatever that may be. We create avenues of release in our work. We challenge our hearts to tell the truth. People will instantly relate to your piece. It will be the truth. It will be life altering for some. Emotion and passion will overwhelm them. You have given that piece magic. The power to grab someone and hold them captive in its presence. Sounds like a crock of shit? No. It is true. I have seen it for myself.
My life has been a waste of time. My children are blessings. My choices to fill in the space of time where I am not with my family has been wasted. Or has it been? I experienced certain moments in my life that have translated in to some pieces that have had an impact on some. Privately they come to me weeping that the piece connected with them. To me it was a simple piece to them it is a centerpiece in their home that will remind them of that emotion that they feel everytime they gaze upon their art. It is very humbling to me to experience that with someone. I live for those moments. I love people. I love art. I love when people are so inspired by art. I love to show love for my fellow brother and sister how to love and appreciate this art we call ART.
So the answer to the question posed....CREATE and Inspire...That is how we lift ourselves up.
Creating through this period is very challenging. Personally I am going through this trying time in my life. Through creating I have found happiness. I have found peace. The way I view my trials are very different as I have in the past. I felt all alone before. Now I feel as if I have a friend and confidant in my creativity. There is a calming affect when you let it all out on your medium/media/canvas...whatever that may be. We create avenues of release in our work. We challenge our hearts to tell the truth. People will instantly relate to your piece. It will be the truth. It will be life altering for some. Emotion and passion will overwhelm them. You have given that piece magic. The power to grab someone and hold them captive in its presence. Sounds like a crock of shit? No. It is true. I have seen it for myself.
My life has been a waste of time. My children are blessings. My choices to fill in the space of time where I am not with my family has been wasted. Or has it been? I experienced certain moments in my life that have translated in to some pieces that have had an impact on some. Privately they come to me weeping that the piece connected with them. To me it was a simple piece to them it is a centerpiece in their home that will remind them of that emotion that they feel everytime they gaze upon their art. It is very humbling to me to experience that with someone. I live for those moments. I love people. I love art. I love when people are so inspired by art. I love to show love for my fellow brother and sister how to love and appreciate this art we call ART.
So the answer to the question posed....CREATE and Inspire...That is how we lift ourselves up.
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