.jpg)
It usually occurs between a year and two years after a student graduates. I often get a phone call or an email from a student who is searching for a life- line. Someone to be a sounding board. It's hard to get these calls. I can tell that the student on the other end of the line is in a struggle, trying to figure out exactly where they belong in the world- if art is indeed in their future. Young artists begin searching for things that are close to what they want to do, but not exactly. I've been on the other end of those phone calls- in the early stages of my career. I remember questioning if I was good enough, what I was doing wrong, if the thing that had identified me as exceptional (my artistic abilities) my entire life was my calling, or if I was wasting my time. All of the time, I was getting positive reinforcement from shows, competitions, accolades, etc. Still, I wasn't making it, and I knew it. I fell back on my instructors from the Illustration Academy- John English, Gary Kelley, Brent Watkinson, and my mentor Robert Meganck from VCU. It takes a village to raise a child, so it is said.
Recently, I've been contacted more frequently. Considering the economic climate, it is no surprise. It is a strange feeling being on the other end of the telephone. To be the one giving advice instead of seeking it.
I often question why I teach illustration, art and image making, especially in these times.
When I get the question "Do you think I have what it takes to be an artist?", or similar, I often respond "If there is anything that I could say in this moment that would dissuade you from pursuing art as a career, then you should find something else to do with your life."
The truth is that I justify educating artists by attempting to give full disclosure, with the hopes of preparing individuals who MUST make art. I feel that I can arm them as well as anyone with current, pertinent information.
The world of the professional artist is grueling, anemic, and it will test you every moment of every day. You don't get to stop being an artist because you have chosen a different path, or a different course was set for you. I was an artist long before I was paid to make art. It isn't something that I was taught in school (although I was taught many very important lessons in school). Being an artist is in the way that you see things differently than everyone else. It is being sensitive to the nuances in life, the things that fall between the lines, and turning those things that you see, feel, hear, know, learn, into something tangible that helps other humans feel more human.
I have always looked for the mistakes that artists make. This makes me feel more human. The things that great artists have seen as beautiful errors that others would never have noticed. Recognizing beauty is easy. Appreciating flaws is hard.
Posts
8 comments:
Very thought provoking and ringing very true. I am exactly in that state of flux where I am doubting, wondering if I'm wasting time. And I've been out of school for a year and a half.
Pretty much I love art, drawing and creating things - and I will want to try to get better at it for the rest of my life. I will do this no matter what. Even filled with heaps of self doubt as I am, nothing would really dissuade me from drawing. Fear stops me though, from putting in a serious effort - I'm afraid that even if I put in 100% effort, I still won't be good enough.
I don't have a portfolio to speak of, though I wish I did. Mostly, wanting to be a professional artist is not necessarily because I want a career in art, but rather I am going to want to pursue art and improve anyway, and I have to get a job and make a living, and ideally I could kill two birds with one stone. I have no idea if most people have similar motivation or am I going about it the wrong way?
Ideally I'd just be filthy rich, wouldn't have to care about getting a job, and just do art and try to keep improving. If I get to share it with others or inspire other people, that'd be even better.
Is that strange?
I'm kind of relieved that I would never give up on art. I know that much. But whether I could ever succeed at it professionally...I don't know.
Whenever I have those moments of doubt (Which happens quite a bit) I just think back to a scene from the movie Frida. Frida has just asked Diego Rivera to critique her paintings and tell her if they're any good. To paraphrase it, he responds "If you're a real painter you paint because you have to. You'll paint till you die."
I find that comforting. I tell myself to look at the worst case scenario, say I go through my whole life trying to create art and never achieve success. Would I look back at my life as a waste? My answer is no, but for me that's the real test to see how strongly you feel about it.
Thanks for this post by the way, it's inspiring to hear somebody talk about life as an artist so eloquently.
So you are always incredibly insightful. Thanks for making me think at a time when my mind is most dull, see you soon.
My teacher said "life is waiting for your mistakes" ... I'd say keep trying what you love, be open and gain experiences with good intentions.
I have questioned the same thing, went to see a career counselor, read career books, talked to people etc. But in the end, I always found the answer within myself.
Doing what you love can't be a waste of time. And with the struggle, you can grow as a person, and I think it's more important than making a successful career. It also shows through art - your student must be seeing it from yours Sterling, and they are lucky to have you.
these are very true words sterling, thanks for the guidiance
Yea, this is one of your best post yet, especially with how you described how artists see differently from everyone else. I've been thinking and saying that same thing for a while now. You're right in artist's questioning themselves. There is definitely a split between people who would LIKE to make art and people who HAVE to make art. For the latter, it's almost a basic instinct, like blinking or breathing. It's going to be tough, but, I guess it's another one of those obstacles in life to see if you really want something or not, how long and how hard will you try to get it?
Sterling, this is a very thoughtful, compassionate and well written bit of advice. Thank you for posting it.
When I was in school, I came to a fork in the road: did I want to become an artist or a lawyer? I consulted a number of accomplished artists and lawyers to see how they felt about the decisions they made. Every single artist told me I should become a lawyer: "illustration is a dying field, you will have to scrape and claw for work your whole life, better to get a firm foundation so you know your kids will eat regularly. You can always work on art in your spare time." On the other hand, every single lawyer told me to become an artist: "you will live in far greater comfort as a lawyer, but when you get to the end of your life you will always wonder what you could have accomplished if you were willing to pay the dues of an artist; if you have the calling, follow it. You will never be able to do your best if you treat art as just a hobby."
I guess people alwyas look over their shoulder and think about what might have been, no matter what choice they make.
I wonder though, Sterling what ballpark percentage of time do you think should be spent on promotion and getting your work out there? I feel dirty saying it, but it seems like a necessary evil to go a full day with only working on emails and submitting work. I have internal battles every day while I'm creating art that I should be promoting, and while I'm promoting that I should be creating art.
Even after spending a solid day handling business, I feel very unfulfilled if no art was made, even though I was "working." I think a battle all of us young artist face is that while we are working on pro bono portfolio pieces we are losing time we could be using to promote our work and land paying gigs. But then while we are promoting, we are losing time we could be using to improve our craft.
I'm having a heck of a time finding a balance that I am comfortable with.
I suppose we all strive for a time when the we develop a sufficient reputation that the work comes consistently, and we can more focus on the art, and not worry about the business as much.
I suppose that leads to the question of a rep vs. representing yourself.....or having a secretary....hahaha its so nuts, but like you said, I can't see myself doing anything else!
Post a Comment