Turning Pro

[Michele Rushworth]

I subscribe to Robert Genn's twice weekly email newsletter, called "The Painter's Keys". You can too, by going to www.painterskeys.com -- it's free.

Today's column was my favorite so far:

Turning pro

June 10, 2005


Many of the letters that come my way are from artists trying to
make the transition from amateur to professional. In this
"feel-good" age where freedom reigns, the road is muddy.
Amateurism is mistrusted. In medicine, for example, one does
not usually entrust a broken arm to a witch doctor. In the arts
the equivalent is done every day. There is historical
precedent. Admired bright lights such as Gauguin, Van Gogh and
Cezanne proceeded in their amateur ways. Many of the "stars"
continue to be reassessed. "Cezanne," said William Blake
Richmond, "mistook his profession. He should have been a
butcher."

In the here and now professional qualities are noted and
admired. Professionals, it seems, are people gifted with an
extreme willingness to buckle down. They access books, mentors,
workshops, and other professionals to learn the standards
required. They work their craft and seek ever higher levels of
proficiency. Intuitively they know that quality wins. This
understanding reaches to the materials they use and the ideas
they generate. It's inside this "sense for quality" where they
find their meaning and purpose. Here you also see steadiness,
passion, love of process and a philosophic outlook. A central
ego-force drives the pros. While they may be self-absorbed,
they are not usually selfish. They may be messy but their
attitudes are tidy. They may be fully loaded with abilities and
techniques, but they're open to the new.

The professionals I know have a special understanding and an
intimate relationship with time. It's respect--not just for
working time, but private time and the knowledge of their own
spans of creative power and efficiency. Very often pros will
work regular hours--whether they feel like it or not--and they
can go to work when times are not so hot. Pros keep their
shops.

More than anything professionals have trained themselves to get
started and to keep at it--which would go for Gauguin, Van Gogh
and Cezanne as well. Pros know how to light their own fires
even when fuel is wet and a cruel wind is blowing. Their
self-containment and self-reliance become so wondrous to behold
that regular people can become confused and suspicious.

Best regards,

Robert

PS: "Professionalism is knowing how to do it, when to do it,
and doing it." (Frank Tyger)

[Richard Monro]

Michele,

Bravo. That article goes right to the heart of the matter. I would like to add that top professionals work with purpose, passion, and creativity. Financial gain is a distant fourth or even lower down on the ladder, but fiancial reward tends to find them anyhow because of the first three qualities.

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Some time ago I subscribed to it too, it's a twice weekly letter that always comes with an interesting subject. Sometimes it's inspiring, other times informative. Very good stuff in my opinion.