Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Playful or Serious


The first mistake of art is to assume that it is serious. ~ Lester Banks

This quote holds very true for me. I have been assuming I need to be serious about my art and promoting it. Of course, I hold myself up to a certain standard to my art doesn’t look like something I created in elementary school. So that part of seriousness is good. When it comes to promoting my art, I stink. I make it to be something very serious and end up hating every minute of it. I assume that I need to get so many pieces done so that I can launch a website, have something to sell, and so forth. This thinking gets me nowhere and all I want to do is nothing. I’ve taken all the play out of creating. So, the only time I play with my art is when I don’t have a piece that doesn’t have to be done by a deadline. The pieces I do for fun are usually the better pieces too. How do you approach your art, with play or seriousness?

5 comments:

Jo Castillo said...

I think we all get too serious at times. I have to really get hold of my shoulders and shake myself. Have fun and not worry about the end result. And of course, usually the art work ends up better when you are having fun!

Take the plunge, and start your page! You can use sitekreator.com that is free (or other free sites) and not worry about cost and difficulty. We are rooting for you!!

Rose Welty said...

Valerie,

I agree with Jo. Start a page now. Add pieces to it as you go. You don't have to advertise it now, just begin putting it together. For the most part, I think that process is encouraging - it is so good to see all your work together.

And you can show stuff that has sold, it doesn't all have to be new.

I, too was trapped into waiting until I got better to do some marketing...but you know what my definition of better was that I was selling pieces. How exactly were they going to sell when I just put them in a stack in my studio?

I think you ought to just start...start a page, get a few business cards or stickers or something. Start an email list, you don't have to mail anything out yet - just get the list started.

OK, I'll back off. :D I'm not trying to push you, but I really do think that your work is good and you already have teaching contacts...I think you are poised to be taking up opportunities!

Anonymous said...

With play!!! In my mind, there is no other way...if I try to take it seriously, I end up stuck!!!! As always, the visit is inspiring and uplifting!!! Thank you for the comments!! Stay tuned....I have another self portrait in the works this afternoon;)lol

Kasie @ ~The Art of Life~ said...

Oh I understand this so well Valerie!
I was actually having the same thoughts the other day when I was watching Savannah do a finger-painting. She was so happy and totally enjoying herself. It made me realize that it's so easy to lose that child-like joy when we "grow-up."
I put off my website way too long. Dustin kept nudging me to do it and I kept saying, "I need more pieces."
I agree with the others. Go for it!
And remember to have fun. Your work is so great. :)
I used www.fineartstudioonline.com and they've been awesome to work with me. There is a monthly charge but you get a free trial period and there are a lot of benefits to working with them.
(((Hugs)))

Anonymous said...

I've got my slef portrait series posted!!! If you have time, come on over and tell me what you think...I love your comments, lol!!!