“One of the many blessings of being an artist is that you don’t have to wait for someone to hire you before you can work. That’s wealth beyond measure.”
-Eleanor Blair
"Deliberate Trust" 40" x 48" work on canvas
Painting is hard work, not a relaxing hobby was the headline in a short letter by Michael Smith (Dersingham, Norfolk)I found online this week published in the UK Telegraph. Mr Smith states; ”Anyone who finds painting relaxing will never make a successful artist.” Relaxing, no I can not say that I have ever found painting to be relaxing.
Challenging, difficult, rewarding, remarkable, frustrating, amazing, impossible, inspiring, depressing, frightening, fantastic, consuming, exciting, demanding, but no, not relaxing. I do not have to wait to be hired in order to work and that is a blessing of wealth beyond measure. My wealth is truly the satisfaction that comes from the daily work I do in the studio. It is a passion, a love - hate relationship that I have with the canvas. The paint. The imagery that is constantly in flux. Keeping the work new, fresh, interesting, it is the joy of working - of showing up to do the job - whatever comes, that drives me back to the studio. No, I do not have to be hired before I can work. I will work for weeks, months at a time with no one hiring, still it is a wealth beyond measure. When someone does hire you by purchasing a piece of that work- it is a reward, an affirmation of the battle, a payment for the endless hours of work. When someone believes enough in your work to “hire” you to be the one to enrich their walls with your work, that is a wealth beyond measure.
Art is important.
“Art is a weapon in the fight for the survival of humanity” -Eric D. Greene
- posted in comments on Alyson Stanfield’s “Deep Thought Thursday” blog, page. Which also featured one of my works this week! Alyson asked the question, “I keep reading and hearing this . . .We need art and artists more than ever in these difficult times. Is it true? Why or why not?” Many great answers…Want to know more about Alyson’s blog or weekly email? Check it out here: artbiz.com
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Everything you have said is correct!
And the quotes you have are inspiring– good job!
Maybe you can get more comments by offering the different links that others use for their blogs like mine:
http://apositivereflection.blogspot.com/
Hope that makes sense and I welcome your comments to my blog and FB.
Have a wonderful Sunday and RELAX
Oh, my regular website is: http://www.conn-artist.com
Congrats on having your work on Alyson Stanfield’s blog. I just ordered three copies of her book, “I’d Rather Be in the Studio.” Two will be B.D. gifts to my best artist friends, who have birthdays in the next few weeks. Since we are all struggling independent artists and trying to make sense of surviving these challenging times, I thought it would be an appreciated gift. Thanks for recommending the book and Alyson’s blog, Deborah!
Artbiz.com