Your Secret Weapon As An Artist

these videos are so important

Hey guys,
I’m an old guy,l and have stage 4 cancer, only pertinent because ive been a stone sculptor, all my life.
It’s heavy, it’s hard and I’m getting weak.
So…we, just bought a 180,year old 3 stores building in a small art, town in the Midwest.
My stupid cancer has weakened me so I can’t really do my stone anymore, so…i pivoted, started painting ( never done this!) I’m making whimsical cats….big stuff, 6’x2’ etc…. And this podcast really spoke to me as I feel like it’s rubbish! But it might make someone happy, so, thanks for the inspiration, that really helps!

Cheers,
David,, Red Cat Stuios attached with our gallery “White Griffin Gallery, Mineral Point, Wi

Thanks for your video, you guys are great.

Ominous

The idea of a painting not looking like what we envision was well covered in "Art & Fear" by David Bayles & Ted Orland *2001) --- "Consider the story of the young student — well, David Bayles, to be exact — who began piano studies with a Master. After a few months’ practice, David lamented to his teacher, “But I can hear the music so much better in my head than I can get out of my fingers.” To which the Master replied, “What makes you think that ever changes?”"

Imagining the possible negative outcomes as well as the positive is a bit new. I listen to a lot positive visualization and how to manifest material, and I hear that we are to imagine the greatest outcome we would like, But then when this does not happen, it is only normal to feel defeated, compare oneself to others that do enjoy all the things I hope for etc. I think being able to imagine all the thoughts that can happen if things do not go well will help one to get out of the disappointment that happens when I don't yet reach my goals. It is a matter of balance, I guess, not to get stuck in possible negative outcomes, and to let go and allow what is best at this time to happen. (thanks for letting me express in the comments, this helps me to remember to keep this mind set.) THANK you all for all you do! You all help me to keep at it.

The business side, the financial side, the talking to people side, the practical steps of putting my stuff out there...omg...I literally forget all that exists until I end up with a whole studio full of successful ideas, happy accidents, and horrifying messes that someone says they like the best (oh, great...) - only I have no photos of them, they're not uploaded, they're not wired for hanging, my carefully built website is 6 months out of date, and I have 3 deadlines looming in my calendar that I haven't picked anything for.

Also, rejected by the judges - I learned after a while never to ask for feedback from a juror or judge, because the real reason for rejection 9 times out of 10 is that they could only fill so many slots, but if you ask for a critique or a reason, they'll give you one, and it won't make any sense because it was invented on request, and it will leave you feeling completely confused about yourself. I've gotten reasons for rejection - both asked for and not asked for - that left me wondering if they were actually looking at a different artist's work when they wrote the email to me. Like, lolwut??? OK, whatevs... So then I switched to just sending applications in and forgetting about it until I got notice of either "thanks anyway" or "deliver the work by Sunday."

Of course, then I got so financially broke that I gave up entering anything that came with an entry fee to pay a juror anyway. Yay, no more rejection emails! Bad for bank account, great for emotional stability!

Rejected it depends on the judges . Art is so subjected.

I was bold and a charity shop wanted me to organise a window display of my artwork on a bank holiday and they sold 6 of my paintings with no problem but not at a large price per painting. That is my problem at the moment.

At your 8 min mark. There’s really no failure in art it’s acceptance. As in what are we willing to accept about what we’re doing or seeing.

You can also run the response that you want

Hello R&K! I always enjoy listening to your videos while creating art. Thank you both for keeping me company! I appreciate the smiles!🌻

If somebody (friendly art buyer) tries to haggle the price of your artwork down. That's when you know they like your work. Stick to your price. Or raise it. Like in a auction. I had that happen to me recently . I know this sounds petty, but I know these people are medical Drs ,will drop the amount of cash on a bottle of wine or at a casino . Without blinking an eye. The people know I'm laid off of my job. For a year & 8 months. Just a pet peeve of mine. They don't understand my artistic talent isn't free. I've over 40 years of experience and know how. Like many artist you can fall in that gap. That people pleasing zone . You have value not just your art.

Hey you guys are back!!!!

Thank you so much! I'm an artist and because of what you're discussing is why I didn't previously. You guys reaffirmed my belief that I am an artist! Super discussion!

What we need to do is change our perspective or our relationship to failure.A Rick Rubin quote is "Failure is the information you need to get where you're going". Chasing perfection will make you sick. Reconnecting or recovering your authentic self will heal. A song that is auto tuned is diminished because it takes all the human emotions out of it.

"Life is wonderful" - and - "Life sucks." Both statements are true at different times. Neither statement means anything, really. And yes, we are all trained to fear failure. We need to pick up arms and fight that. Imagination is the most formidable weapon of all. Don't forget that Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than Knowledge."

Instead of the climbing a mountain analogy, perhaps it's better to think of taking a hike or even getting on a treadmill, where you always have the option to change the direction or the incline amount...

Now I want to get a sketch book just for collecting artist's sketches; only I'm going to ask them to draw the ugliest cat they can. Take the pressure off, super unique collection. Boom.

I missed you guys, I’m so glad I found you again. 👍👏

I’m doing my first ever solo exhibition on the 13th September… I really needed this video 🎉 thank you

Yaaaay! New video!