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Marvin Mattelson · 03-14-2003, 04:47 PM

Oh Sharon,

I knew deep in my heart it couldn't last.

Yes we agree on many points. I too agree that much of the academic work one sees is lifeless. I think that type of training covers an important part of the equation but it's not the whole enchilada. There is the other side of the coin, the expressive side. Too much of either is not good.

In terms of the self promotion thing I respectfully choose to disagree with you. If you notice to left of the posts, at the top left side of each page are little banner ads promoting various products of SOG artists some of whom are also critiquing here on the forum. Since I am primarily a painter and am not willing to spend the time to do a video (Coming soon - Marvin Mattelson the Movie) or write a book due to the time commitment, I have no banner over there.

Furthermore, the forum itself is a promotional tool for SOG. They each give each other credibility (not to mention web presence). The forum is still a valuable tool, nonetheless.

I have been teaching for over 30 years. I never considered doing workshops until last summer when one of my students asked if I could recommend one she could take on her vacation. My past experience has been whenever one of my students went to study somewhere else they got "screwed" up, so I said if it was ok with SVA, I would lead one. So I did.

The participants had a great time and learned a lot. Many said it was the best workshop (thanks Mom) they had ever attended and so when Renee and Denise approached me I thought it would good for me to "go south" at their invitation. So I am. Our advertising budget is word of mouth. My mouth.

If I offer it to people or just recommend the general concept of taking a workshop it's because I feel it will genuinely help them.

So in addition to helping people here I help promote myself as well, for what I believe is their greater good. At least I am upfront about it. I'm sure I could ask people I know to write in and praise me (untold thousands stand waiting, just kidding) I see that all the time here on the forum. Is there a difference? I feel comfortable doing so because in the end I know that whatever it takes to get people to come, I CAN HELP THEM!!

Since you live in Boston I would invite you to come to my workshop in Greenwich Connecticut and see for yourself, May 27 to 30, 2003, but I wouldn't want to offend you. People have the choice. If they see my sparkling smile they can choose to skip my posts if I offend them, or they can read my words, if interested, look at the work both my students and I have done, and choose one way or the other.

I think life is just too short to stand around and wait for things come to you. Look around. Do good things really come to those who wait? So what if on occasion, I choose to reach out and take the bull by the horns. Gotta get back to my easel, the commercial's over.

One last thing, I jokingly tell my students that we are all members of the Church of Academic Realism since painting IS my religion.

Still friends?

03-14-2003, 04:47 PM	#76
Marvin Mattelson SOG Member FT Professional '04 Merit Award PSA '04 Best Portfolio PSA '03 Honors Artists Magazine '01 Second Prize ASOPA Perm. Collection- Ntl. Portrait Gallery Perm. Collection- Met Leads Workshops Joined: May 2002 Location: Great Neck, NY Posts: 1,093	The honeymoon's over? Oh Sharon, I knew deep in my heart it couldn't last. Yes we agree on many points. I too agree that much of the academic work one sees is lifeless. I think that type of training covers an important part of the equation but it's not the whole enchilada. There is the other side of the coin, the expressive side. Too much of either is not good. In terms of the self promotion thing I respectfully choose to disagree with you. If you notice to left of the posts, at the top left side of each page are little banner ads promoting various products of SOG artists some of whom are also critiquing here on the forum. Since I am primarily a painter and am not willing to spend the time to do a video (Coming soon - Marvin Mattelson the Movie) or write a book due to the time commitment, I have no banner over there. Furthermore, the forum itself is a promotional tool for SOG. They each give each other credibility (not to mention web presence). The forum is still a valuable tool, nonetheless. I have been teaching for over 30 years. I never considered doing workshops until last summer when one of my students asked if I could recommend one she could take on her vacation. My past experience has been whenever one of my students went to study somewhere else they got "screwed" up, so I said if it was ok with SVA, I would lead one. So I did. The participants had a great time and learned a lot. Many said it was the best workshop (thanks Mom) they had ever attended and so when Renee and Denise approached me I thought it would good for me to "go south" at their invitation. So I am. Our advertising budget is word of mouth. My mouth. If I offer it to people or just recommend the general concept of taking a workshop it's because I feel it will genuinely help them. So in addition to helping people here I help promote myself as well, for what I believe is their greater good. At least I am upfront about it. I'm sure I could ask people I know to write in and praise me (untold thousands stand waiting, just kidding) I see that all the time here on the forum. Is there a difference? I feel comfortable doing so because in the end I know that whatever it takes to get people to come, I CAN HELP THEM!! Since you live in Boston I would invite you to come to my workshop in Greenwich Connecticut and see for yourself, May 27 to 30, 2003, but I wouldn't want to offend you. People have the choice. If they see my sparkling smile they can choose to skip my posts if I offend them, or they can read my words, if interested, look at the work both my students and I have done, and choose one way or the other. I think life is just too short to stand around and wait for things come to you. Look around. Do good things really come to those who wait? So what if on occasion, I choose to reach out and take the bull by the horns. Gotta get back to my easel, the commercial's over. One last thing, I jokingly tell my students that we are all members of the Church of Academic Realism since painting IS my religion. Still friends? __________________ Marvin Mattelson http://www.fineartportrait.com [email protected]