Portrait #615 and some advice
Hey Danny,
I have loved your stuff since finding your site. I need some counsel from a fellow habitual doodler. Ever since I was a kid I wanted to do stuff with art. I even got my bachelors in fine art education, thinking I would teach. But, fearing financial failure with a new family, I went into another field, and find myself making a good living, but longing to eliminate the "what if" from my lists of regrets. Some days I wish I could just be forced to go deep into the creative side again, but I fear failure.
Any counsel and suggestions?
Thanks,
Witness
Dear Witness:
Fear is not very useful. Instead, I urge you to just start doing whatever it is you are interested in being involved with. Don't concentrate on the $$$ aspect of things. Start making, then start sharing.
Get involved with the arts community in your area if you want to show in galleries. Contact magazines and papers if you want to illustrate. Just take the leap and avoid wrapping the whole thing up with your identity and sense of self worth.
Be as positive and outgoing and productive as possible. And consider the expansion of your creativity to be a creative effort in and of itself. Be creative in how you make art, in who you show it to, in how you support yourself emotionally as you head in this new direction.
If you approach it this way, it is impossible to fail, for even if you don't accomplish what you initially thought you'd achieve, you will have a fine adventure, learn new things and, worse case scenario, get that creative urge out of your system once and for all.
Have fun, be brave, get going,
Your pal,
Danny
A record of my exploration into all aspects of drawing, illustrated journaling, creativity, and the inspiring aspects of art. By the author of "Everyday Matters," "The Creative License", and "An Illustrated Life" and other books.
Comments
Dear Danny,
the more I see these portraits the more I want to own a book full of them and their mysterious numbers.
Posted by: Frederick | November 15, 2006 10:11 AM
If Witness has been making a good living, it seems that he has been creative in his capacity. I'm not an artist but I'm very creative in my business, mostly when I have tough deals ahead. So, my suggestion to Witness is just to begin to develop his artistic preference (drawing, painting, sculpting, writing) for personal consumption. The more committed with this "hobby" the more clear will be his mind in way to decide if this art activity can also help him to make a good living. Good luck!
Posted by: ana maria santeiro | November 15, 2006 02:57 PM
What excellent advice for Witness. Especially the part about doing and getting involved in the arts community.
As things progress, perhaps part time will be a possibility.
Warning: As you replace old situations with new situations, you get new problems. It's better than having the same old problems over and over again, and they may be more interesting problems, they are there for a full time artmaker. While the grass maybe is greener on the other side of the fence, it still has to be mowed and fed and weeded! Or it won't be green anymore!
Posted by: Virginia Wieringa | November 15, 2006 06:25 PM
Great advice to witness, Danny. As are the comments I've read too.
Posted by: shelley Noble | November 21, 2006 02:14 AM
I am also fearing that I couldn't make money doing any arts. I think fear can be quite crippling. I figure, why try, if I can't make a living or any money at it? I am older, and money issues do matter. So...I figure, working a job, and doing some kind of art for the soul will be a good idea. Sharing the work, like you said is a wonderful way to get the work out there for other people to see and hopefully enjoy. Just putzing around with my camera is enjoyable, and sharing the work on Flickr! web site is fun. (I am a pretty good photographer, but a terrible sketcher.) I think having any interest in the arts keeps the spirit alive and challenged. Maybe the money will come after or not at all, but working through the initial fear is my biggest obstacle.
Posted by: Lainey | November 23, 2006 09:10 AM
I would agree with Danny that 'fear is not very useful'. There is no such creature as a guaranteed paycheck in this world today no matter where you work. The news is full of good workers let go by business economics in all sectors. The best security you can count on is what you create for yourself. Whether it is art or writing, you need to make the decision to work at it constantly and to create the support for it. Support through resources and friends. House paint, pens, pencils, scrap paper and cardboard can be found anywhere. It doesn't take costly materials to practice everyday in helping your hands to learn how to make good lines, shapes, colors, good words. Surround yourself with people you can trust to encourage your efforts especially when you may be feeling down. It's all a matter of committing your mind to making it happen. I waited 30 years for ideal conditions to happen. I finally started two years ago. It was my mind that let me waste 30 years, not the availability of materials. I am happier now than ever before. Not because I am making money at art or writing, but because I have created the chance to show myself what I can do. If I don't practice at my craft, the money will never happen because I won't be ready for the opportunities when they come.
Posted by: Bradley | November 25, 2006 06:05 PM