Comments on: Unofficial survey: Obstacles to art career success

By: Allison J Smith

Allison J Smith — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 03:58:38 +0000

My biggest obstacle is two-fold: money and time. I need MONEY to create paintings and promote my paintings, so I have a full time day job. This cuts dramatically into my TIME that I want to use to create paintings and promote paintings. I don’t know how to quit my day job and still eat and pay rent. In 2008 I will start exercising regularly to give myself more energy and higher spirits.

By: RobinN

RobinN — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 23:12:38 +0000

My biggest obstacle is life’s many bumps. I think of myself as very flexible, however when I am on a roll, life throws out something that is a bit overwhelming and I come to a halt with my creativity. I have difficulty finding the balance. Whatever I do, I do with a passion. So if it is helping a sick child I do that with all of my energy. So my change this year, is to stay on track, even if I do slow down at times. To acknowledge that I am human is important. I know from the responses in the marketplace, that I am where I need to be. I was given a gift and I need to share it, otherwise my heart hurts.

By: Lynne Hull

Lynne Hull — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:44:03 +0000

Interesting to hear the comments on Talent. I’m not sure I believe in talent. I do believe strongly in creativity which burns to be released, hopefully in positive ways. What is thought to be “talent” can often be “craft” which is usually learned through practice may not have much depth. Two of my questions to stimulate young or emerging artists: What do you feel is the most important thing in the world and how can you address that in your art? and my short lecture on risk taking: A doctor takes a risk and someone dies. A lawyer takes a risk and someone spends years in prison. An artist takes a risk and nobody buys the piece. There’s a good chance they would not have bought the piece anyway! There a few careers in which risk taking is more rewarded–go for it. Not just for the sake of taking a risk, but to push yourself to be the best you can be to contribute your gifts to the world! I like reading self-help writer Barbara Sher, who has a lot to say to artists. For example, she says there are two types of support jobs. One is toxic, eating your soul, which you should get out of immediately. The other is a subsidy to making art….Her recent book, REFUSE TO CHOOSE, is about people who shift interests frequently, and why this is an advantage rather than an avoidance of “real life”. I feel many artists are what she calls “scanners” with wide ranging interests because an artist gets to explore whatever is most interesting to them at the moment. best, Lynne

By: Alyson B. Stanfield

Alyson B. Stanfield — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 22:28:49 +0000

I’m truly overwhelmed by all of these thoughtful responses. I’m printing them out and will analyze them and let you know what I find out–unofficially, of course.

By: Jennie Rosenbaum

Jennie Rosenbaum — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 01:54:59 +0000

1. my biggest obstacle is myself. Sometimes it’s easier to let the pain of my disability win and drag me down into a depression where I do no work. eventually I lose momentum and stop wanting to put in the yards promoting myself or refining my techniques. 2. Painting helps both the pain and the depression. so this year the biggest change I am going to make is to not let my condition define me but to own it and spend more time in the studio! and yes. this year I will stop making excuses and finish setting up my mailing list

By: Fiona Purdy

Fiona Purdy — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 20:54:43 +0000

1. What is the biggest obstacle you face in promoting your art? My fear of failure. That just about sums everything up. What if I do an art fair and my work doesn’t sell very well (like what happened at the last show I did 2 years ago- I’m still paying off the debt from it!) What if I’m just deluding myself about my work? People say they love my work – but do not buy – not even my giclees. Maybe all of the obstacles that get thrown in my way is the Universe telling me to give it all up, it’s never going to happen? It’s all an inside job I tell you. I just keep pouring money that my husband & I can ill aford into this and get nothing back for it – except for a grumpy husband. I really doubt myself. 2. What change could you make in 2008 that would have the biggest positive impact on your art career? Some serious self analyzing into how I can get beyond this fear or at the very least keep moving forward despite it. Also not letting it color everything I do to the point that it paralyses me into doing nothing. Thanks for letting me vent! Cheers, Fiona

By: Kelly Borsheim

Kelly Borsheim — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 03:22:38 +0000

1. What is the biggest obstacle you face in promoting your art? For me, it is time and money/income. I am not sure if those are separate things right now. I have this idea that the solution is in getting my work PHYSICALLY seen (and touched) and having more assistance, as in having my work in more GALLERIES. However, after having almost been burnt recently by a gallery in California that closed without my knowledge in September (and still no communication by that dealer to me), I am shy about going to the markets where my work sells (online anyway), yet are not close to me. I was finally able to get my bronzes back (just before Christmas), thanks to two artists who found me on the Internet while searching for answers to who might also have dealings/information about this gallery. They informed me of the situation. And thanks to my Aunt Carole (who lives near the ex-gallery) and my Indianapolis gallery owner Don Elliott, who were ultimately successful in retrieving my art for me (and while I was feeling helpless in Italy). 2. What change could you make in 2008 that would have the biggest positive impact on your art career? This may sound daffy, but I have been working on learning to enjoy things in life other than art and intend to continue this in 2008. With the help of friends and family, I am trying to realize that accepting help of many kinds is not the same thing as receiving charity (and why do I feel shame at that thought of accepting charity?). A good friend does not only give, but allows others to experience the joy of giving. Although I am minimizing my spending (and food is always the first budget to get cut, since the electric company is pretty stubborn), I am learning how, for example, to enjoy food and even cook sometimes. [I used to view eating as simply a sometimes enjoyable necessity, but otherwise a distraction.] More often, I am allowing others to cook for me while I bring the wine or chocolate. ha ha. And, yes, I often do the dishes. Only fair. Maybe if I can slow down (seemingly opposite from the artist who feels less than productive) and enhance the quality of my life and how I spend my time, I will have more to offer others. While focus is not often my problem, maybe this new connectedness will help me to work smarter and with a greater purpose. Or am I just justifying bad behaviour Thanks for the ear/eye. Buon Anno. Kelly

By: Carla Sanders

Carla Sanders — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:12:56 +0000

Alyson, you wrote: Carla: Do you think it’s important to set aside specific hours? Is it okay to prioritize the tasks and get them done in whatever way possible? Thanks for letting me think about this. Right now, creating specific times that will not allow to be disturbed, or scheduled over is a strategy I want to use to prioritize and achieve the tasks. Otherwise, I do it when I am exhausted, should be sleeping, or I don’t do it.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 21:45:49 +0000

Biggest obstacle: time. All those great ideas I have stacking up in my studio break my heart when I have to keep asking, “When?” I was beginning to lose hope. But I quit my day job just before the holidays and am taking the plunge to put all my time and energy into my artwork this year. Scary…but I’m in my 50′s now and running out of time. Thanks, Allyson, for all your pep talks and great information.

By: miki

miki — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 19:27:15 +0000

1.I think the biggest obstacle to promoting my art is a lack of confidence. I have taken a big leap this year by posting my art on a blog almost daily. I haven’t taken the next step of actively marketing anything yet. I have also made a committment to paint every day. I have been doing that for a little over six months now. The blog has been a big stretch for me. 2. I am going to spend some time this week working on a marketing plan that doesn’t take away painting time. I have another full time job that is pretty demanding and have to see it through until my contract ends in June. I need to develop a marketing plan that I can grow and take with me when I relocate at that time. I think my blog is just a beginning.