When it comes to your art...the decisions you make today will affect where you are 5 years from now....heck 5 months from now. Back when I was wanting to be a novelist (I still wanna be one) I loooved to come home from my day job in Los Angeles, put my feet up and watch television. Anybody who had sat in LA traffic for a hundred hours would want to do the same. But I also wanted to finish my book and see what would happen. The thought of all that I had to do to accomplish finishing said masterpiece would overwhelm me. Easier to ignore it and watch television. BUT...that was not going to get my book finished. So I decided to make decisions...little decisions, but decisions nonetheless. One smoggy day at a time. After dinner I made a point of deciding to turn off the TV and instead decide to write for 2 hours. Show up and write. By deciding to do that day by day at the end of a year I had a novel written and a year later I had a contract with HarperCollins.
And in writing that lovely little western romance (ok so it wasn't actually a masterpiece) I discovered something else. Something that I do each and every day in my studio, now that I am artist and not a writer. I decide to get to work. And making that decision everyday has once again affected where I am. And let me tell you...I don't always know what's gonna happen that day or with that piece of art. I just get to work. I lay fabrics together, I select an image and I put the pedal to the metal. Zoom. Art.
So many artists I talk to think they have to have it all figured out in order to get started. They want a Google map. No sir. Not necessary. Sure sometimes you have to have the idea or the layout for a commission or some such thing, but in general...get in your studio and get to work. You will be amazed at the surprises that come your way...the magic that will happen. Some of the best things that I have ever done were a result of a happy accident that led me in a new direction. The work that I am known for came as a result of just getting in there and messing around to see what I could come up with. I still mess around with it.
So this is part of what I'm going to talk about in the first video of my Marketing Mindset on-line workshop. The work ethic in art. Motivation. Finding your Signature Style. Working in Series...stuff like that. I wish I didn't write about making art right before I go to bed...now I'll be up 'til all hours because of that dad-blame work ethic.
10 comments:
So true - Most of the time I have an idea for my little creations, but no need for a map - so at my desk I sit, start pulling pieces from my drawers and compartments, and boxes, and it all just comes together, then I finish with ink, markers, water colors, and poof - it's done. I have no trouble getting to my desk, I have troubles when I don't! Thanks for your inspiration. I will enjoy investigating your website. My first visit. I'm a FAN of Where Women Create.
Very true! Today is a great example of this, I didn't feel the creative pull at all but I forced myself to go sit at my desk. Every day I sit there, whether or not I actually create (I usually do though) is immaterial. Even just to sit and look at some of my materials, things I've had for ages and can't think what to do with, even if I just jot down the things that always seem to come to me right when I'm trying to sleep...
I think there's a prediliction for artists to work better at night. I don't know if it's the closeness of the moon, or the darkness, or the quiet, but my creative peak is 3-4am. I've been trying to get to bed before 2am and I KNOW that's why I'm not as creative lately. If only society would cater more toward our nuttiness!
I have that same problem when i write or create artwork before bed...keeps my mind going all night long! I agree with you.. just get started and see where it takes you. It's the only way!
Looking forward to the first video on Marketing Mindset!
You're so right! Half the battle is just sitting down to do it. When I was a reporter I used to interview artists, trying to figure out what made their success....what I found as the common link was a) they started and b) they finished. Sounds simple, but its the major difference in an artist and a wannabe. Really motivated me :)
your visions are so, so, soothing and rich. thanks for sharing you.
Thanks for sharing this bit of inspiration. Sometimes I need to stop procrastinating and get to work (like right now)! I'm looking forward to your first video!
Lovely work!
I have something for you. Please visit my blog to see.
I really agree that being a "successful" artists require MUCH hard work. You are a great writer KC.
I need to memorize this post! You totally hit in on the head, however, I turned off that tv months ago and really do not miss it! Thank you for spelling it out....just do it like the Nike people have been telling us.
I just jot down the things that always seem to come to me right when I'm trying to sleep...
Work from home India
Post a Comment