Artfest Epiphany #37
Doing the business stuff I hate makes me a better artist.
After talking with her on our 2 hour drive to from Seattle to Port Townsend I realized a bunch of stuff about the business side of art that I hate so much.
a.) It pushes me out of my comfy clothes, my little box, and into something a little scary. I keep running up against these fears. And I have to walk through them in order to do what I really want to do: make art. It's good practice.
b.) It forces me to go places I don't want to go and do stuff I don't want to do (i.e.figuring taxes out)which makes me realize that I can really go there. wow.
which translates to confidence in all areas ofmy life. hmmmm. deep.
c.) It makes me think differently, try different things, find new solutions, which is essentially what creativity is:finding different paths, no making different paths to who knows where...
and to grow as an artist I need to practice stepping outside of my comfortable place and risk failure. failure with paint and failure with gross business stuff.
So, isn't that so typical? The stuff I avoid is usually the stuff I need the most...
So, what are you doing to make yourself uncomfortable these days? I'd love to hear what you are thinking about.
Don't forget to sign up for the giveaway from the last post.
Okay...I know it was SUPPOSED to be a 2 hour drive...hahaha. You know I am with you girl, the business stuff is scary. Baby steps.
ReplyDeleteI just said I´d have the speach of the day for our National holiday for my community. I only have one speach. Now I have to write a new one. About peace and stuff. I think. This is me pushing my limits.
ReplyDeleteYay you! Good job for saying yes! The best part about both comments is that I can picture you & hear you saying them... and see the experession on your face:) I know you'll do fabulous spindelmaker. baby steps
ReplyDeleteHi Erin! Thanks for the positive words of encouragement. I'm so thrilled to have found this amazing artist community - including YOU! After years of beating myself up for not creating serious enough, professor-worthy art, I'm reeling from the idea of accepting my art as it is and the idea that there could be people who like it. Overwhelming and fabulous all at once.
ReplyDeleteArt as business does seem like such a scary and intimidating thing. Maybe we can all get through it together! On the way home, I told my husband that I could finally see myself pursuing art as a career. It won't happen overnight, but I finally see a path. How cool would that be to say "ARTIST" when people ask the "what do you do for a living" question??! The prospect is heart-lifting.
Can't wait to see what you do next. :)
Erin, it was such fun to meet you at artfest last week! I'm glad you visited my blog because I haven't even unpacked my artfest stuff yet to click around to the blogs of the ladies I met...Funny that we live so close and our lives seem quite parallel! You're obviously doing a better job at creating time for your art, so I'm inspired by you. Are you taking Carla's silliness class? I'll stop by again soon.
ReplyDeleteLinn
Very well said! I dread that business side too. But you are totally right. Things that are uncomfortable and make us step outside our comfort zone a bit, only makes us stronger.
ReplyDeleteTHanks for all your super kind comments. I have enjoyed you stopping by!
(^.^)
I SOOOO needed to stumble across this today! I've been homesick for my pens and paints because of business and growing prickly about it...starting to really crust around the edges. Then I tripped over this and....what a rush of gratitude! I get it. The business is compost for the art...a necessary layer and without it, I may even grow anemic in my creativity. Thanks, thanks, thanks....your post was heaven grinning encouragement my way. Also, inspired by your art I am:) -Jennifer
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