Comments on: Keeping an Eye on Other Artists

By: Pricing Your Art: 10 Rules — Art Biz Blog

Pricing Your Art: 10 Rules — Art Biz Blog — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:14:33 +0000

[...] have competition. They are not doing the exact same thing you’re doing (who is?!), but they’re working [...]

By: Dennis Crayon

Dennis Crayon — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:34:02 +0000

Hi Alyson,
This may be a little off topic but only a little. Do you know how this blogger may have come up with the press releases that are posted on the site? Basically I would like to post other realist art shows on my site as a way of getting traffic and I have a real natural interest in what other contemporary realists are doing and would like to see what is out there both as a source of competition and inspiration .

http://intherealartworld.blogspot.com/2010/05/margaret-bowland-pop-up-project-12th-of.html

By: Terri

Terri — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:00:24 +0000

In high school, way back in a pre-jurassic era, I had an art instructor who said something that affected me to this very day. It was this, “There is no competition here or in art. Each of you sees the world differently. Each of you will share how you see the world differently. No one is better than you. No one is worse than you. Your only competition is yourself, so don’t worry how the person sitting next to you is doing in this class. You are here to develop your own voice.”

What I do isn’t a movement or style. It is singular.

That being said, I agree with some of the others about “competition.” I have peers, there are those who are at different places in their careers. All of this is food for thought, inspiration, and methodology to getting there (where ever the heck that is…).

By: Tracy Wall

Tracy Wall — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 08:32:46 +0000

For me, ditto Sari.
Also, I’ve been meaning to mention this for quite some time, but this seems like a good opportunity. Thank you Alyson for not only your messages, but for opening us up to a variety of other artists/artworks by your images. They run the gamut in types and styles, and it’s so refreshing to see all the different works.

By: Sari

Sari — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:26:35 +0000

The closer my work gets to who I am, the less I feel the competition…Nobody can be me…It just took a while to figure out who me was…

By: Chris Kirkland (artweb.com)

Chris Kirkland (artweb.com) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:51:28 +0000

It’s refreshing to hear ‘motivation’ when talking about competition between artists. And it’s equally pleasing to see the comments on this blog re-enforcing this attitude.

We’ve seen some rather fiery ‘artist temperament’ reactions to other ‘competing’ artists on our network, it’s not always pretty I can tell you! Thankfully though, most of the artists we know are lovely people and are supportive of one another.

By: HJM art gallery

HJM art gallery — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:42:57 +0000

Very interesting article…. we all know that the competition exists, it’s out there somewhere or just in front of our eyes… If I would think of a competition on a constant basis and try to compete with other artists , I wouldn’t be able to do any creative work… or come up with my original, unique ideas… I also see it as a motivation factor. I get inspired and motivated when I see an artist who is nationally or internationally recognized. But I also know that behind this recognition lies a lot of hard work, dedication and, of course love for art!

By: Jaimee

Jaimee — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:48:12 +0000

Essence magazine just posted a story online about female artists that the world should know about. http://photos.essence.com/galleries/10_female_artists_you_should_know_about/entry_image/335781-nina_chanel_abney#335801

In looking at the article, I realized that it’s not about competition (I hardly feel in the same league in terms of notoriety), it’s inspiring to see that that these artists are getting such recognition.

Like those that posted above me, I don’t really see it as competition but more of motivation to keep me going and to stay productive. I recently met an artist that cranks amazing pieces and told me about his process. Admittedly, I was envious that he was so prolific but my encounter with him gave me valuable insight into learning what it takes to really hone your craft and maintaining momentum.

By: David Hilton

David Hilton — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:21:25 +0000

I find myself siding with Burnell Yow!, I’m too busy pushing myself to improve and get it right the first time to even think of competing. How do you actually compete on a creative level – it’s too much an apples and oranges comparison. As for competing on the numbers ($),O.K., they found their niche, what did they do that can help me find mine? I certainly don’t have time to reinvent all the wheels that are out there, I deeply appreciate anything I can learn from fellow artists and entrepreneurs. I’ll take an exchange of ideas, any day, over trying to prove mine are better

By: Burnell Yow!

Burnell Yow! — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:14:00 +0000

I both collect and create art. As an art collector, I can tell you that a specific work of art will speak to me in a way that, let’s say, toilet paper or sardines do not. I can only assume that others who purchase art feel the same. Being attracted by and compelled to buy a specific work goes much deeper than merely acquiring a commodity like a new car. As an artist I, therefore, feel no competition with other artists. I am deeply motivated and inspired by the very act of creation. And the artists I know personally are very supportive and appreciative of one another, even to the point of congratulating one another on the sale of a piece. Artists are not lawyers or doctors or automobile manufacturers vying for clients. We are creating one-of-a-kind individual works that speak directly to the soul of an individual. If you sell a piece of art to someone who loves it, I applaud you wholeheartedly, for you have made the world a more beautiful place. You have inspired me.