Paint us envious
In my hometown (state) for that matter, art opportunities are kinda sparse. Word of Open Calls to Artists are rare around here so whenever one of my artist friends or myself hear of an opportunity we included everyone who had ever jot down a line. We are enthusiastic at a chance of displaying our skills and getting our work known. We are proud of our work and want to show them off. It's only natural.
The name of this current show is called Crazy 8's. The artwork has to be 8x8 and for sale for $88. You can turn in up to 4 pieces of work. (2 Dimensional no sculptures). My artist friends so happen to work in my department and over half are participating for this event. We banded together during the past couple of weeks. Each one of us gave advice, lent supplies and even offered to pose to help our fellow artist out. We were a motley group of artists, making art to be shown. We all have different styles and subjects but we were excited to create. It was great.
Today is the last day that a local gallery accepting work for a 40 some day run. Over the past couple of days one by one an artist would bring in their work to show off what they have done. It's funny viewing the reaction of others when they see the unveiled work. Some are dazzled, some are confused and some are downright hateful. I just think it's funny on how we strive to be an artist community, solid as one but deep down we have the ability to see green when there is a work that is over and beyond in what we can do. Why is that?
I'll be the first to admit...I wish I was a better artist. I wish to have certain talents that people can see in my work but for some odd reason I can't transfer what I envision in my head to paper (or canvas). I'm sure this happens to a lot of artists. What gets me is that some people get downright resentful over one's talents. Why be that way? We should appreciate everybody's talent and gift that they show us. We should rally around everyone and show support for their efforts. Okay, I'll step off my soapbox now. :)
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Comment by Ev McTaggart on January 10, 2013 at 2:09pm -
Artists have not been innoculated against the "little green monster" any more than the general population. There will always be generous artists who share their techniques and knowledge freely and rejoice in other artists' triumphs, and there will always be the mean-spirited learn-it-yourself-the-way-I-did folk and the why-did-HIS-work-get-accepted-when-min-is-better types. Embrace the former and ignore the latter. Words have no built-in power. No one can make us feel bad about ourselves and our work unless WE let them.
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Comment by Adrienne Miller on January 10, 2013 at 2:17pm -
I really like what you wrote, Randi. You are very candid. Yes, I believe that I suffer from art-envy as well. There are a couple of spectacularly talented people in The Art Colony whose work makes me green with envy. I wish I could create the beauty and artistry that they do, but alas, we each have something special to offer, and our own personal tools with which to create our art. As we gain experience over time, we may be surprised at how we evolve into the artist we dream of being. Yes, I am an optimist.
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Comment by Ev McTaggart on January 10, 2013 at 3:19pm
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There are ANY number of fabulous artists on this site whose talents I wish I possessed, Adrienne, but I never feel like they don’t deserve the accolades they get nor do I deride their work—in public or private. You don’t, either, I’ll bet. You don’t“envy” mean-heatedly; like me, you just wish you had those talents, too, NOT that you wish you had them and the other artists didn’t have them. Every painter that’s better than me is someone I can learn from. And let’s face it, if someone with less talent than me (are there any? LOL) is making a living with their art, then, more power to them. They are marketing what talent they have better than most.
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Comment by Adrienne Miller on January 10, 2013 at 3:25pm
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Ev, you are absolutely correct! I am not a mean green. I admire the skills and beauty of others' work. And yes, I try to learn from them all! I examine brush strokes in museums, and I just bought a Monet calendar so I can stare at it and learn!
I would love to start selling paintings, but have no clue how to price them yet. Did yo happen to read my blog entry?
Fearing deflation of my spirit
I would love some feedback.
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Comment by Randi R. Vaughan on January 11, 2013 at 12:33pm -
Thank you everybody for taking the time to read this post. I love everybody's comments on the matter and I'm glad that are a group of us are not (as Adrienne said) Mean Green.
S: I agree with you on looking at the artwork that strikes a nerve (good or bad) and finding out what you have to address. I think that sometimes an artist will be motivated to push their art further along.
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