Your article resonated with me and I appreciate your clarity in cutting to the chase. Surrounding ourselves with people, experiences and places that keep us curious and inspired will always help our art as well as our mental health.
Taking advantage of opportunities to show and educate about our work is crucial and exhausting, but necessary. Doing some pro-bono work early on led to many opportunities later on as well as providing "click bait" on social media - sadly a necessity like you mentioned. Creating with a cause, experimenting with new approaches and donating occasionally to non-profits also gets your name and work out there. I've had my work in such places as the Coroner's office during a call for art about substance abuse, on a T-Shirt for a Pub-Crawl, in several spas, created posters and cards for cities and created a memento for a bicentennial celebration because of referrals. You just never know!! Thanks for sharing.
You are so right Bev! The donations done in alignment with our why - they always lead to more opportunities. The times I just gave to random causes were dead ends for me, but some of my biggest experiences came out of transactions where no money changed hands. Thanks so much for your thoughts!!
After fifty years on and off in the art world, I’ve come to the conclusion that I keep creating not just to make art, but to stay in touch with the essence of who I am. From that place, my art becomes true, and I am still learning every day.
I am a storyteller — I connect words, images, and color. Without a story, there is no true art for me. Every morning, I can’t wait to start my day, to work on a story or create a new one. Sometimes this process brings me to tears, and I love those tears because they teach me so much about life and why we are here.
Hi Debra,
Your article resonated with me and I appreciate your clarity in cutting to the chase. Surrounding ourselves with people, experiences and places that keep us curious and inspired will always help our art as well as our mental health.
Taking advantage of opportunities to show and educate about our work is crucial and exhausting, but necessary. Doing some pro-bono work early on led to many opportunities later on as well as providing "click bait" on social media - sadly a necessity like you mentioned. Creating with a cause, experimenting with new approaches and donating occasionally to non-profits also gets your name and work out there. I've had my work in such places as the Coroner's office during a call for art about substance abuse, on a T-Shirt for a Pub-Crawl, in several spas, created posters and cards for cities and created a memento for a bicentennial celebration because of referrals. You just never know!! Thanks for sharing.
Bev Goldie
You are so right Bev! The donations done in alignment with our why - they always lead to more opportunities. The times I just gave to random causes were dead ends for me, but some of my biggest experiences came out of transactions where no money changed hands. Thanks so much for your thoughts!!
After fifty years on and off in the art world, I’ve come to the conclusion that I keep creating not just to make art, but to stay in touch with the essence of who I am. From that place, my art becomes true, and I am still learning every day.
I am a storyteller — I connect words, images, and color. Without a story, there is no true art for me. Every morning, I can’t wait to start my day, to work on a story or create a new one. Sometimes this process brings me to tears, and I love those tears because they teach me so much about life and why we are here.
Thank you for your comments Suhad! They are downright poetic. You say it so well.
Hi Debra
I found your ideas interesting, thank you.
Shiralee Siebert
Shiralee you are most welcome! I hope you have a beautiful day!
These are very helpful reminders, Debra. Thank you!!!!
Thank YOU J Michael for being here with me!
Thanks for reading!
That so helpful and how can get promoted