I think the hardest thing for artists is to second guess what other people want. Putting your art out there for other people to view, to judge, when it’s such a piece of self. That kind of honesty and openness is enough to send strong men running. Think about how many people are afraid of public speaking. Imagine what it takes not just to tell the world how you feel, but show them.
The artists I know don’t care or wish they didn’t care what others think. Which is crazy, because art is all about emotion. Real art, good art should draw you in, or push you away, invoke a reaction. It should make you feel. Attract you. Repulse you. something. anything.
As always, the other evil taboo with art is money. If you do what sells, you’ve sold out. If you don’t, you’re back to “Do you want fries with that?” Where’s the middle ground? Is a painting made lesser if currency changes hands? Does the stigma surrounding talent and money disappear after you’re dead? Where is the line between being true to your art and being a starving artist?
Clare Troutman
(503) 871-5505
Troutman Photo
4 responses so far ↓
Kappii // January 6, 2009 at 7:22 am |
Yeah this is good question and I for one couldn’t answer it half decent. I think do what you love and it will show, although, one needs to eat too. Hmmm don’t know. I can only draw from my own experience and that is I produce things that I am happy with and if someone else happens to like it (or not), great ! Although, having said this I do hope that some things that I do produce does invoke some feelings at least. But I always keep true to myself and that is I do things my way. And when I did started doing this I then started to develop my own style. I don’t make any money out of my stuff but if I can at least make one person smile, cry, inspire or whatever then this is pretty cool in itself, I think. Helps having a day job too so with my free time I do things my way
valery // January 6, 2009 at 11:58 am |
the post is great!!
very interesting! I will definitely be back here.
Karen Bosso // March 1, 2009 at 7:46 pm |
Wow, I hadn’t read this before, and it really busted some chunks out of my brain. I’m aware that accepting money=sellout is a “thing,” but it didn’t resonate for me——at first. WHY on earth, do I have to question everything?
I’ve been doing a little informal research on people’s responses to “Money is___,” and the answers are fascinating. Particularly in light of my belief that money is a symbol or a reflection of how we manage our lives and energies. And, yes, I’m speaking of “woo-woo” energy as well as the mainstream way of hearing the word.
So why is it, then, that the exchange of filthy lucre (see what I mean?) turns art into something subpar? Does recognition in the form of cash “turn” it for the purchaser? Or just for the creator?
Maybe there’s a sense that if I’m not working on a commission(-ed piece), I am somehow calling upon ALL of the muses, instead of the few that my obviously artistically-challenged buyer has constrained me to. How could something that he/she wants be my best work? But on the other hand, why would anyone give me any of their money, their energy, for something they didn’t perceive to BE my best work or otherwise make them happy?
Note any connotations of the word “commission” above. Makes the skin crawl. Means dirty salespeople to me. People who make their money by having the nerve to ask for it. “Give me some of your life energy in exchange for something I’ve got here in my bag.” How gauche. They’d much rather be called “account executives.” So they can execute and count that lousy money instead of performing for it.
Note also the word work. I think there’s also a healthy dose of the belief that if I accept money for my “art,” the creative process will become “work,” just like my day job.
I’m beginning to believe that what we do to earn a paycheck and what makes us sing don’t have to be mutually exclusive. I’ve seen it in action and it works [
] really, really well. I just don’t know how to get there.
And in the next issue: A thorough discussion of ego.
I’m a writer. And this exchange of ideas is artfully fun guys. Thanks for the opportunity. If you don’t want my freely-offered art on your site, just remove it. I’ll try not to weep in rejection.
Karen Bosso // March 1, 2009 at 9:44 pm |
Work is a Blessing.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101267379&ft=1&f=4538138