After an exhibit, etc., many people exclaim "did you sell anything!?" If sales are the only measure of success, then my success as an artist has been modest! When feeling discouraged, I remember how much I have yet to learn and put into practice. I remember that I prefer to share my art than sell it. When I am creating a painting and enjoying the process, I am successful. When someone "likes" my Facebook page, writes a comment on my blog, or interacts with me, I am successful.
When someone enjoys and finds my art work inspiring, I am successful. The rest is work, effort, and practice. Success is taking pleasure in the process!
Difficult Word #2: Can't
JJ, the Disconnected Writer, had a wonderful post on this titled "If at First You Don't Succeed, Give Up" [click on sentence to read it]. If I gave up every time I disliked a completed painting, didn't get juried into a show, didn't sell a piece of art, why would I call myself an artist? I use the word "won't" most often, because it is usually something I can do but it comes down to a choice. "I can't" translates into a choice. Just make the choice, and admit it! Say "won't!" Example: I won't measure my success as an artist by sales of my art work!
Difficult Word #3: How
How did the artist do that? How did that artist become successful? How did that artist get attention? How did that artist make it look so easy? How can I do what that artist did?
The word "how" is difficult because of the work involved with using it. The sentences with "how" involve investigating, learning, and putting into practice. "How" is something I constantly search with mixed success. "How" is something that with my limited time is the most difficult word to put into practice.
Try replacing the word "can't" with "how" and see how many possibilities open to you! Try "share" in place of "sales" and "success," see how much more fun it is?! What do you think of these word replacements? Let me know!
Please share my art work with others you believe may enjoy it.
Smiles,
Angeline Marie of
Angeline Marie Fine Art
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| Dive In - encaustics on paper - 2010 - 5 x 3 inches - $45 - copyright Angeline-Marie |
5 comments:
A-M: I love your reasoning! And thanks so much for the reference!
This was a Post that I really needed to hear. Thanks so much. Success, much like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.
this is a very thoughtful post. I really like it. And immediately I realized how very often I dodge the 'how' because it IS difficult!
JJ: You are welcome. Your post truly made me think!
Jason: I need constant reminder. =)
Cailin Marie: Amazing how much "how" is dodged, isn't it!? I avoid it all the time...and force myself to DO it. LOL
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