For the past week, seems each time I come on the net, the subject has radiated around the word "LOVE"! I shared on one of these links, that as a 10 year old my Dad told me: "You will soon learn that Love is the bottom Line." If I do not feel a love for the subject, nor when painting that my passion does not "rise to the occasion", there's really no reason to pull out the brushes & continue! Passion cannot be "captured" with mere knowledge, nor with 100% "control", nor for any amount of money! Passion is the ultimate expression of my Soul! We have to get out of the way so that the Creator of LOVE can enter into our art, no matter how small or large that expression is! Without Passion and Love, there really is no CREATIVITY, and thus no reason to paint.
I totally understand the thoughts about the word amateur. And, I have never thought of it as derogatory. And, I can understand someone saying they are, and meaning they couldn't care less about making any money at it. But, then to say the word "professional" can have the idea of only in it for the money. Not in a lot of cases! I call myself a professional. I do my art for the love of it, and happen to have made money and approach selling my art in a professional manner as best I can! I also give away a lot of art as well. To me saying a professional is in it for the money is wrong in my case. I do not have to make money at this, it just keeps me feeling better about the ability to purchase my supplies and continue.
The best professionals are the same as amateurs. They do it for the love of it. Nobody can be world class just "for the money." My point was though, it's OK not to "monetize" everything, which is what the modern world pushes us to do. There is a danger though, in becoming professional to start catering to the market, which can be hard to resist.
You are so right with what you replied. Do it for the love of it, and if wanted, then the sales may happen. I do not cater to the market, but only paint what I want to paint.
I appreciate your clarification of the definition of amateur. I've heard it used more as an insult. But at this point in my life, I don't need to make money off my art. I can afford to love the process of painting. Making a sale is nice too.
I am reminded of the Andy Griffith show when you mention playing your guitar just because you love it. His family loved listening to it too when he would take it out to play. What a nice way to spend your time.
I would hope that professional would imply not only love and ability but the self-discipline and the self-direction to persist in one’s work, to dive into the depths of it and to reckon with your ability to bring innovative thought into the world through a creative spirit.
Thanks for writing this. I have always felt a little less than a real artist because I never wanted to try to sell my work, I always give it away. The hubby thinks profit is the goal of all worthwhile work. But painting isn't work, it is pleasure, and furthermore, it is my pleasure!
You are so right. I paint because I can not, not paint. I do sell my works, but my livelihood is not dependent on my sales ( thank goodness ). When I paint something that is really good there is nothing like the high feeling that I have created something magical. Even the duds are worthwhile, from the learning process it provides. My happy place is when I have a brush in my hand and a canvas on the easel.
One question, what is an ROI-focused society? I’m not familiar with that abbreviation.
When I was younger and painted, I had pressure on me to paint to the market. I sold some things and while painting was fun, that genre didn't feed my soul—and I was still stuck with a lot of work I wasn’t thrilled about. At the same time, I was working on other stuff that I did make me feel fulfilled. It got me more notice, less sales and a lot of criticism from my then husband, who liked the marketable stuff.
So, after I ditched the husband and got back to painting, I decided to only make work that made my heart sing. And, my work got more original and unique. I’ve gotten a lot of attention, but not as many sales—because my work isn’t over-the-sofa stuff. But, I’m happier. If someone buys a piece, I’m thrilled but I really don’t care. At least I like what’s still in the studio.
I played harp and piano professionally. I had to cater to the market for that. It was enough.
It is wonderful to be in that zone of creativity, I will agree. I have always had a creative outlet, and likely would be at a loss without it. But, it is also wonderful to find validation.
I relate to the dance part of this and practice. Although I am "only" an amateur guitar player, I feel the need to practice regularly to keep up my chops. When I don't, which has happened more over the past few strange pandemic years, my playing suffers, and when my playing ability suffers, the enjoyment suffers. It's not fun to have to worry about technique again once it's something one has mastered, however, without regular practice, technique definitely suffers. As does, and I image it's even more so with dance, simple physical strength. If I don't practice enough, my fingers get easily tired, callouses are gone, etc and that strength has to be regained.
For the past week, seems each time I come on the net, the subject has radiated around the word "LOVE"! I shared on one of these links, that as a 10 year old my Dad told me: "You will soon learn that Love is the bottom Line." If I do not feel a love for the subject, nor when painting that my passion does not "rise to the occasion", there's really no reason to pull out the brushes & continue! Passion cannot be "captured" with mere knowledge, nor with 100% "control", nor for any amount of money! Passion is the ultimate expression of my Soul! We have to get out of the way so that the Creator of LOVE can enter into our art, no matter how small or large that expression is! Without Passion and Love, there really is no CREATIVITY, and thus no reason to paint.
Well said
Thank you Clint, for reading what I shared...yours is also always enjoyed! AND thank you for ALL that you do, for artists!!
I totally understand the thoughts about the word amateur. And, I have never thought of it as derogatory. And, I can understand someone saying they are, and meaning they couldn't care less about making any money at it. But, then to say the word "professional" can have the idea of only in it for the money. Not in a lot of cases! I call myself a professional. I do my art for the love of it, and happen to have made money and approach selling my art in a professional manner as best I can! I also give away a lot of art as well. To me saying a professional is in it for the money is wrong in my case. I do not have to make money at this, it just keeps me feeling better about the ability to purchase my supplies and continue.
The best professionals are the same as amateurs. They do it for the love of it. Nobody can be world class just "for the money." My point was though, it's OK not to "monetize" everything, which is what the modern world pushes us to do. There is a danger though, in becoming professional to start catering to the market, which can be hard to resist.
You are so right with what you replied. Do it for the love of it, and if wanted, then the sales may happen. I do not cater to the market, but only paint what I want to paint.
I appreciate your clarification of the definition of amateur. I've heard it used more as an insult. But at this point in my life, I don't need to make money off my art. I can afford to love the process of painting. Making a sale is nice too.
I am reminded of the Andy Griffith show when you mention playing your guitar just because you love it. His family loved listening to it too when he would take it out to play. What a nice way to spend your time.
I would hope that professional would imply not only love and ability but the self-discipline and the self-direction to persist in one’s work, to dive into the depths of it and to reckon with your ability to bring innovative thought into the world through a creative spirit.
Thanks for writing this. I have always felt a little less than a real artist because I never wanted to try to sell my work, I always give it away. The hubby thinks profit is the goal of all worthwhile work. But painting isn't work, it is pleasure, and furthermore, it is my pleasure!
You are so right. I paint because I can not, not paint. I do sell my works, but my livelihood is not dependent on my sales ( thank goodness ). When I paint something that is really good there is nothing like the high feeling that I have created something magical. Even the duds are worthwhile, from the learning process it provides. My happy place is when I have a brush in my hand and a canvas on the easel.
One question, what is an ROI-focused society? I’m not familiar with that abbreviation.
When I was younger and painted, I had pressure on me to paint to the market. I sold some things and while painting was fun, that genre didn't feed my soul—and I was still stuck with a lot of work I wasn’t thrilled about. At the same time, I was working on other stuff that I did make me feel fulfilled. It got me more notice, less sales and a lot of criticism from my then husband, who liked the marketable stuff.
So, after I ditched the husband and got back to painting, I decided to only make work that made my heart sing. And, my work got more original and unique. I’ve gotten a lot of attention, but not as many sales—because my work isn’t over-the-sofa stuff. But, I’m happier. If someone buys a piece, I’m thrilled but I really don’t care. At least I like what’s still in the studio.
I played harp and piano professionally. I had to cater to the market for that. It was enough.
ROI = "Return on Investment"
Thank you
It is wonderful to be in that zone of creativity, I will agree. I have always had a creative outlet, and likely would be at a loss without it. But, it is also wonderful to find validation.
I relate to the dance part of this and practice. Although I am "only" an amateur guitar player, I feel the need to practice regularly to keep up my chops. When I don't, which has happened more over the past few strange pandemic years, my playing suffers, and when my playing ability suffers, the enjoyment suffers. It's not fun to have to worry about technique again once it's something one has mastered, however, without regular practice, technique definitely suffers. As does, and I image it's even more so with dance, simple physical strength. If I don't practice enough, my fingers get easily tired, callouses are gone, etc and that strength has to be regained.