There is a place for every artist.
If you want to get to the level where an artist whom you admire is, you must do what they did to get there. Successful painters like to quote the famous advice from Charles Webster Hawthorne who is credited with saying, "If you look into the past of the successful painter, you will find square miles of canvas behind him."
Sometimes I wish there was a shortcut to success. (Am I the only one who wishes that?)
But really there are no shortcuts.
I was at a local paint-out last weekend in the next town over. I wasn't a "star," and I didn't even get juried in. I was there only for the "quick-draw" on the last day. But I learned a couple of things.
First, I learned that the artists I strive to imitate really aren't cutthroat competitors. For the quick draw last weekend, I did not set up my easel under any porch or protective overhang, and the weather seemed about to storm. Another artist let me use his umbrella that happened to match my easel set-up. He wasn't using it since he did think ahead and set his easel up under a walkway cover. He could have just let me get rained out. He could have just watched me fail. I appreciated the offer of the umbrella and took him up on it. The artists I like the best are the ones who just do their thing because they love it, because it makes them happy, and because it makes them better people. The artists I feel most comfortable with only compare their work to others so that they might improve. Artists are not competing for a finite number of collectors. The pie is big enough. Everyone can have a slice, especially if the artist is ready and has done his or her work to prepare. Artists, the ones I strive to be like, do not gather together to cut each other's throats.
Second, I learned I like being in the company of highly competent, achieving artists. I might be the least experienced artist in the group. My values might sometimes be off. My brushstrokes might not be as buttery as they could be. My perspective might need help. But I am happy to have those more experienced painters around me. They give me something to strive for. I think I learn more if I am the low-on-the-totem-pole person, surrounded by masters, rather than being a solid intermediate, surrounded by hobbyists, a term that might be misunderstood. Please keep reading.
The last thing I want to do is disrespect ANY artist, be they a weekend hobbyist, or one with professional fine art aspirations. There are many reasons to pursue artistic endeavors. I can not know the history of achievement vs. frustration behind the smile of any given artist I meet. I have tremendous respect for anyone who strives to learn the techniques of painting and composition. Further, I believe anyone can improve given sufficient time at the easel, (which brings us back to those "square miles of canvas"). As for me, I am committed to achieving the highest level of competency toward fine art that I can manage in the time I have left on this earth, so being around high achieving artists is inspiring and instructive.
Far from being embarrassed or self-conscious by my humble artistic achievements, I am happy to watch and learn. If I keep doing what I'm doing, improving, taking classes, participating in events, training my eye, won't I get where I want to be eventually? I believe so.
So I will continue to work on painting my "square miles of canvas" and I will take drawing classes of all kinds because I can't give up on the notion that eventually success will come.
There's a place for everyone.
Peace,
Judi
(Posted on 4/3/2017 10:43:35 PM by jeb - 5 Comments)
If you want to get to the level where an artist whom you admire is, you must do what they did to get there. Successful painters like to quote the famous advice from Charles Webster Hawthorne who is credited with saying, "If you look into the past of the successful painter, you will find square miles of canvas behind him."
Sometimes I wish there was a shortcut to success. (Am I the only one who wishes that?)
But really there are no shortcuts.
I was at a local paint-out last weekend in the next town over. I wasn't a "star," and I didn't even get juried in. I was there only for the "quick-draw" on the last day. But I learned a couple of things.
First, I learned that the artists I strive to imitate really aren't cutthroat competitors. For the quick draw last weekend, I did not set up my easel under any porch or protective overhang, and the weather seemed about to storm. Another artist let me use his umbrella that happened to match my easel set-up. He wasn't using it since he did think ahead and set his easel up under a walkway cover. He could have just let me get rained out. He could have just watched me fail. I appreciated the offer of the umbrella and took him up on it. The artists I like the best are the ones who just do their thing because they love it, because it makes them happy, and because it makes them better people. The artists I feel most comfortable with only compare their work to others so that they might improve. Artists are not competing for a finite number of collectors. The pie is big enough. Everyone can have a slice, especially if the artist is ready and has done his or her work to prepare. Artists, the ones I strive to be like, do not gather together to cut each other's throats.
Second, I learned I like being in the company of highly competent, achieving artists. I might be the least experienced artist in the group. My values might sometimes be off. My brushstrokes might not be as buttery as they could be. My perspective might need help. But I am happy to have those more experienced painters around me. They give me something to strive for. I think I learn more if I am the low-on-the-totem-pole person, surrounded by masters, rather than being a solid intermediate, surrounded by hobbyists, a term that might be misunderstood. Please keep reading.
The last thing I want to do is disrespect ANY artist, be they a weekend hobbyist, or one with professional fine art aspirations. There are many reasons to pursue artistic endeavors. I can not know the history of achievement vs. frustration behind the smile of any given artist I meet. I have tremendous respect for anyone who strives to learn the techniques of painting and composition. Further, I believe anyone can improve given sufficient time at the easel, (which brings us back to those "square miles of canvas"). As for me, I am committed to achieving the highest level of competency toward fine art that I can manage in the time I have left on this earth, so being around high achieving artists is inspiring and instructive.
Far from being embarrassed or self-conscious by my humble artistic achievements, I am happy to watch and learn. If I keep doing what I'm doing, improving, taking classes, participating in events, training my eye, won't I get where I want to be eventually? I believe so.
So I will continue to work on painting my "square miles of canvas" and I will take drawing classes of all kinds because I can't give up on the notion that eventually success will come.
There's a place for everyone.
Peace,
Judi
(Posted on 4/3/2017 10:43:35 PM by jeb - 5 Comments)
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