How does one grow thicker skin? - Page 3

Sharon Knettell · 01-12-2005, 05:40 PM

October,

One of the requirements of becoming an "Advanced Professional" is learning how to walk efficiently on your hands and knees. Being an artist is one of the most humbling experiences there is and for me, continues to be. Not only is the knowledge required daunting, but the rejections can fly thick as a blizzard at any level. The best defenses are an absolute love for what you do, and an inability to do anything else.

Allan Rahbek · 01-12-2005, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharon Knettell

October,

The best defenses are an absolute love for what you do, and an inability to do anything else.

October, I believe that Sharon hit the nail just right.
It is not possible to put up a firewall strong enough to keep out bad feelings.

There will always be bigger and smaller artists than you and if you compare yourself to them you will either suffer from bitterness or vanity.

The only thing to do is to get the best out of your own possibilities. Be happy to learn from the best and don

Michele Rushworth · 01-12-2005, 07:44 PM

[quote]There will always be bigger and smaller artists than you and if you compare yourself to them you will either suffer from bitterness or vanity.

The only thing to do is to get the best out of your own possibilities. Be happy to learn from the best and don

October Reader · 01-13-2005, 02:47 AM

Allen and Sharon, I feel your comments encapsulate the essence of what I have witnessed here on this forum many times over. There is nothing more persuasive than living by example. I hope this SOG spirit, if I may be so deliberate to call it that, continues for a long time to come.

Lisa Brazell Cook · 01-15-2005, 10:55 PM

It doesn't necessarily get easier with success. As I was delivering work for my first big solo show last fall, the man who owns a small contemporary art gallery next door stopped me and unsolicited gave me some of the most insulting comments I have ever received. I was so stunned that I did not know what to say. His diatribe was not as much about my work in particular as traditional realism in general. He said that it was not gallery worthy, could not be considered real art, and maybe I should try some craft shows that display "decorative painting". He went on to say (no, I am not making this up) that since I am young that there is hope that some day I will be moved to create some real art that really speaks and that I will never get anywhere artistically while doing anything as static as portraits. Geez.
Well, I was fuming. It was all I could do not to unload to everyone about what a jerk this guy was. I instantly felt myself become petty and small and spiteful.
Anyway, my point is, there will always be detractors. Don't let it get to you or change your outlook.
Lisa

Mary Sparrow · 01-16-2005, 08:18 AM

Lisa, my knee jerk reaction to him is ( not so nice either) can you fling a bunch of colors on a canvas and talk about the spirit that moved you as you did it? Yeah, I thought so, could he paint a portrait if he wanted to? Probably not.

I'm not saying all contemporary artists are this way, but in my limited experience it usually turns out that while they are wildly creative people they generally couldn't paint a portrait if they tried. I recently had a conversation with a very talented and successful local water color artist. We talked about precisely the attitude that you got from that gallery owner. Her theory was the same as mine, she admitted that she was extremely jealous of artists that were able to paint people, especially the ones that truly captured the essence of that person. She, as an art teacher, felt that she could teach her students to paint everything from spatter paintings to landscapes, but when it came to painting a portrait very few were capable. Sounds to me like your gallery guy has a few sour grapes.

October Reader · 01-16-2005, 08:09 PM

It's such a shame most contemporary galleries and artists take a haughty elitist stand with respect to traditional art genres. It almost feels like it's "wrong", "unfashionable" and "unenlightened" to appreciate healthy human forms nowadays in the "in" art world. Conceptual artists that are in fact employing traditional methods in their contemporary work pay little or no respect to artists who work in ways that are more loyal to tradition.

I appreciate a good deal of different elements in both contemporary and traditional artwork. It just feels frustrating having to pick sides given that so many people behave as if there is only one way to see the world.