tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10753386.post4582502347418489466..comments2023-12-08T00:50:40.305-08:00Comments on Creativity: The Professional Artist versus The Artistlizziebhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04252416000554440535noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10753386.post-11141285929744693362008-07-18T00:00:00.000-07:002008-07-18T00:00:00.000-07:00Hi LizI'm a newbie to quilting and have been given...Hi Liz<BR/>I'm a newbie to quilting and have been given your link by Pippa. I found your post extremely interesting and very true, as I've turned my art /fashion knowledge into a business in the past and know just how hard it is and every word you say is true. In fact that's why I'm reluctant to show my artwotk more than twice a year at the moment as I don't want to get into that cycle again.<BR/>I was really shocked at your experience with the anon critic and can only say how unnecessary I fell it was.<BR/>I love your colour blocks BTW, fantastic designs and colours.sharon younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11227806755585216350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10753386.post-89337455323584626402008-07-16T19:06:00.000-07:002008-07-16T19:06:00.000-07:00Liz, this is a nice post. And thanks so much for t...Liz, this is a nice post. And thanks so much for the mention! I'd also add that professional artists are passionate about sharing their work--getting it out there and creating a dialogue. That's why the business stuff isn't so awful for them. It's just something they know they need to do to keep it up. They don't know any different.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10753386.post-4396725513297308442008-07-12T04:59:00.000-07:002008-07-12T04:59:00.000-07:00Amen.I've discovered what it takes to be a profess...Amen.<BR/><BR/>I've discovered what it takes to be a professional artist over the past year, and your article summarizes my discoveries very nicely. Amen, again, and thanks for the validation. ;-D<BR/><BR/>I'm thinking the best one can do is to organize, execute, be flexible and delegate or distribute tasks that can be done by others. It's not a perfect answer, but it can help with balance. <BR/><BR/>Great article! I enjoy creating, and I love being an artist, and working on becoming a professional artist.Fanniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00490701289522974449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10753386.post-85193711439592176952008-07-11T09:49:00.000-07:002008-07-11T09:49:00.000-07:00Liz,I agree with your take on the professional lif...Liz,<BR/><BR/>I agree with your take on the professional life. It's more all-consuming than anyone can possibly imagine. The marketing and all its manifestations (from networking to showing and competing, both online and in real life) takes an enormous chunk. And then there's the time we need to research and buy supplies and frames ... time to DO the framing to save costs ... time to take classes and read professional trade magazines ... time to visit museums and galleries and on and on. Still, I am happier doing this than any other job I've ever had. It's all good!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10753386.post-62650018409765673942008-07-10T05:49:00.000-07:002008-07-10T05:49:00.000-07:00I can totally agree with what you are saying Liz. ...I can totally agree with what you are saying Liz. Especially the part about marketing. Like a lot of artists I fall somewhere in the middle..I feel like a semi-professional..that is I work regularly..even when I do not particularly feel like it..also I keep a complet list of my works and where they have been and where they are going..do some teaching, lecturing and curating..but not 24/7. I set my time to work a minimum of 4 hours per day...this often is longer..but it is regular<BR/>I think that is a main key...setting aside the time to be an artist.<BR/>warm regards<BR/>Peg KeeneyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10753386.post-20722816486590235662008-07-09T18:35:00.000-07:002008-07-09T18:35:00.000-07:00This is all so true, Liz and I don't think there i...This is all so true, Liz and I don't think there is necessarily a correlation between being a professional and making better art than the non-professional artist, though, as in anything, the more art you do, the better it gets. I put aside several years of my life trying to be a professional artist and did all those things you talked about. It didn't work for me because I was not making enough money to justify it. I got a day job, worked for years and then retired. Now I am an artist, but without the drive to teach, to write, to pursue every possible venue. It is a joyful existence and I have been surprised to have had more success at this stage than I ever expected. Go figure.Terry Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16650965451863656517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10753386.post-91438581511519631212008-07-09T10:33:00.000-07:002008-07-09T10:33:00.000-07:00Interesting post. I'm at the point where I'm thin...Interesting post. I'm at the point where I'm thinking about marketing and promoting my lecture, workshops, saleable artwork more assertively, but have been reluctant because many 'professional' artists I have spoken with have little or no creative studio time. I suppose it's finding the balance, but I wouldn't like to lose the heart and soul of my art making.Melindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17904953326399195764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10753386.post-78670888098714001582008-07-09T06:44:00.000-07:002008-07-09T06:44:00.000-07:00Absolutely right on target, Liz! I still have my d...Absolutely right on target, Liz! I still have my day job (although I'm down to 4 days a week for the last year) but I am a professional artist as well. My studio day has now turned into half a day of studio time and half a day of applying to art shows and submitting to gallery's requesting portfolios. I am thrilled that finally galleries are asking to see my work instead of me sending in blind portfolios.<BR/><BR/>Everyone grows at a different rate as an artist and have different agendas to work out. As we grow, we define ourselves differently. I make art for me with the intention that someone else will be struck by it and want to live with it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10753386.post-27454020670871387742008-07-09T05:42:00.000-07:002008-07-09T05:42:00.000-07:00I have been struggling with trying to be the artis...I have been struggling with trying to be the artist who makes money. It's just not easy, well, doing either, but you need a secretary, and a PR person to help out. Trouble is, you just don't make much money, so people don't want to help for nothing. I hate doing shows, and there aren't too many places that take quilts as art. Snobs abound in the "real" art world. So I keep making my own designs and entering quilt shows, and making special orders for customers. I hand quilt. Not too many of us left! It's not a living, but it keeps me off the streets! Patty AshworthAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10753386.post-9220436128254785472008-07-09T05:33:00.000-07:002008-07-09T05:33:00.000-07:00Liz,Thank you for your insight. I am pretty sure ...Liz,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your insight. I am pretty sure I want to be just an artist who occasionally sells a piece, and your comments certainly cemented the idea in my head. I like the idea that creating my art is my therapy--something I can do escape the job!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10753386.post-54716817494287431682008-07-08T19:37:00.000-07:002008-07-08T19:37:00.000-07:00My artists' co-op had a guest speaker, an accounta...My artists' co-op had a guest speaker, an accountant I believe, who told us that 70% of being an artist is marketing. That makes a 40% gallery commission a bargainPat .F in Winnipeghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17922232261224949923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10753386.post-40586931327449562262008-07-08T19:04:00.000-07:002008-07-08T19:04:00.000-07:00Liz,I too agree with what you said. And, I think ...Liz,<BR/>I too agree with what you said. And, I think a lot of people yearn to be professional artists, but expect to be able to perform at it like a hobby. Whether people like to call it that or not, what one does to earn a living is a job. And, it really doesn't matter whether performing the work required for that job is one's passion, there is always, in any job or profession, going to be tasks that we really aren't crazy about doing...but they have to be done if one wants to succeed at earning a living at that job or profession.<BR/><BR/>I'm not a professional artist, heck I'm not even an artist, even if I do make art from time to time. But, I am a professional at what I do for a job, and it isn't play time all the time, and neither is any other job or profession.<BR/>CarolynAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10753386.post-89801172825421199782008-07-08T17:48:00.000-07:002008-07-08T17:48:00.000-07:00I am an artist, who is sometimes lucky! :-) My dau...I am an artist, who is sometimes lucky! :-) My daughter is a professional artist and she is going through exactly what you describe. She is preparing for a big show and she has to paint even if she doesn't feel like it. It is her life now. <BR/>But, she is so much happier and I am so proud of her, especially her work ethic.Gerriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06292762162661584206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10753386.post-26519369539681763492008-07-08T15:17:00.000-07:002008-07-08T15:17:00.000-07:00I would agree with you and add that there is some ...I would agree with you and add that there is some middle groud there as well...I sell but I do not teach (yet, anyway)...but I do consider myself a 'professional'<BR/><BR/>One thing, and I hesitate to say it since I don't know you, but you make it sound like you don't like it very much! I trust that's not really the case...?Karen Newman Fridyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00866345219260627644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10753386.post-81001894611092833662008-07-08T15:11:00.000-07:002008-07-08T15:11:00.000-07:00Exactly so! And very well put!Exactly so! And very well put!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10753386.post-23422349419440065462008-07-08T14:56:00.000-07:002008-07-08T14:56:00.000-07:00I think I will stick to being just a plain old art...I think I will stick to being just a plain old artist. The other sounds more like a pain in the butt. Many professional artists quit regular jobs to have more time to be an artist. What did they really exchange the time for? Sounds just like another job to me, just with more stress and pressure to perform. I am sure that works well for some, it would never work for me. Thanks for the explanation.Sherrylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11150666108526689819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10753386.post-13349740648480119092008-07-08T14:55:00.000-07:002008-07-08T14:55:00.000-07:00I totally agree with your comments, Liz. I'm an a...I totally agree with your comments, Liz. I'm an artist; my husband is a professional artist. I have to say, I like my role better. I don't have to do all the 'business' part - filling out show applications, looking for shows to enter, updating a website with new work all the time, and on and on. Of course, on the other side of that coin, he gets to set his own hours, work at something he loves doing, and enjoy his association with other professional artists. Both roles are available to any of us -- we simply have to make a choice, and be willing to do the work necessary to succeed.Tommehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18440414362879424169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10753386.post-14075388554684080352008-07-08T14:53:00.000-07:002008-07-08T14:53:00.000-07:00BINGO!BINGO!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com