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Being an Artist Must Be So Easy..., by wizzy on May 29, 2011 15:38:26 GMT 1, Ignore me Des, im just stirring it really.
Ignore me Des, im just stirring it really.
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ricobenfico
Junior Member
Posts • 3,174
Likes • 364
May 2008
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Being an Artist Must Be So Easy..., by ricobenfico on May 29, 2011 15:46:28 GMT 1, Regardless of profession, people want to do something in life that makes them happy. They do what they can to ensure this happens and stick at it for as long as possible before giving up the ghost and acknowledging it's just not going to work for them.
The reason for giving up could be many reasons but 1 will be that they just can't continue to make ends meet, food on the table for the family etc dedicating their time to something that doesn't pay. When you come across testing times (again regardless of profession) you question why you do what you do and for some, it's easier to change profession than others e.g. for an office worker, it's easier to pick up a different administration job and make a go of it than for an artist to simply change from painting to sculpture*
*Reality checks are required along the way(!)
Regardless of profession, people want to do something in life that makes them happy. They do what they can to ensure this happens and stick at it for as long as possible before giving up the ghost and acknowledging it's just not going to work for them.
The reason for giving up could be many reasons but 1 will be that they just can't continue to make ends meet, food on the table for the family etc dedicating their time to something that doesn't pay. When you come across testing times (again regardless of profession) you question why you do what you do and for some, it's easier to change profession than others e.g. for an office worker, it's easier to pick up a different administration job and make a go of it than for an artist to simply change from painting to sculpture*
*Reality checks are required along the way(!)
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Being an Artist Must Be So Easy..., by des77 on May 29, 2011 16:15:50 GMT 1, Ignore me Des, im just stirring it really.
ah dont be silly Wiz, I think its good to have a thread with a proper discussion going on.
Ignore me Des, im just stirring it really. ah dont be silly Wiz, I think its good to have a thread with a proper discussion going on. |
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Being an Artist Must Be So Easy..., by remirough on May 29, 2011 16:30:19 GMT 1, whoever wrote that sounds like a right moany git.
whoever wrote that sounds like a right moany git.
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jonnyx
New Member
Posts • 694
Likes • 151
May 2007
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Being an Artist Must Be So Easy..., by jonnyx on May 29, 2011 16:32:31 GMT 1, "e.g. for an office worker, it's easier to pick up a different administration job and make a go of it than for an artist to simply change from painting to sculpture*
*Reality checks are required along the way(!)"
i don't think that's a very appropriate anology though rico - that'd be more like an artist moving from one 'style' of painting to another. your analogy suggests that an office worker move from office work to ,say, carpentry or bricklaying - and that's not so easy!
"e.g. for an office worker, it's easier to pick up a different administration job and make a go of it than for an artist to simply change from painting to sculpture*
*Reality checks are required along the way(!)"
i don't think that's a very appropriate anology though rico - that'd be more like an artist moving from one 'style' of painting to another. your analogy suggests that an office worker move from office work to ,say, carpentry or bricklaying - and that's not so easy!
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Being an Artist Must Be So Easy..., by wizzy on May 29, 2011 16:45:59 GMT 1, whoever wrote that sounds like a right moany git.
Bloody hell Remi!, you just got up? ;D
whoever wrote that sounds like a right moany git. Bloody hell Remi!, you just got up? ;D |
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ricobenfico
Junior Member
Posts • 3,174
Likes • 364
May 2008
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Being an Artist Must Be So Easy..., by ricobenfico on May 29, 2011 17:25:12 GMT 1, "e.g. for an office worker, it's easier to pick up a different administration job and make a go of it than for an artist to simply change from painting to sculpture* *Reality checks are required along the way(!)" i don't think that's a very appropriate anology though rico - that'd be more like an artist moving from one 'style' of painting to another. your analogy suggests that an office worker move from office work to ,say, carpentry or bricklaying - and that's not so easy!
I see what you're saying and can appreciate that. I was thinking more generally about the area of work i.e. typing minutes from meetings to data entry from spreadsheets you would still be an 'office worker', from painting to sculpture, he would still be an 'artist'.
"e.g. for an office worker, it's easier to pick up a different administration job and make a go of it than for an artist to simply change from painting to sculpture* *Reality checks are required along the way(!)" i don't think that's a very appropriate anology though rico - that'd be more like an artist moving from one 'style' of painting to another. your analogy suggests that an office worker move from office work to ,say, carpentry or bricklaying - and that's not so easy! I see what you're saying and can appreciate that. I was thinking more generally about the area of work i.e. typing minutes from meetings to data entry from spreadsheets you would still be an 'office worker', from painting to sculpture, he would still be an 'artist'. |
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Being an Artist Must Be So Easy..., by remirough on May 29, 2011 20:19:58 GMT 1, whoever wrote that sounds like a right moany git. Bloody hell Remi!, you just got up? ;D
I've been rather busy with a big show Wiz...
whoever wrote that sounds like a right moany git. Bloody hell Remi!, you just got up? ;D I've been rather busy with a big show Wiz... |
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Being an Artist Must Be So Easy..., by wizzy on May 29, 2011 21:19:48 GMT 1, Bloody hell Remi!, you just got up? ;D I've been rather busy with a big show Wiz...
Not the London Palladium?.
Bloody hell Remi!, you just got up? ;D I've been rather busy with a big show Wiz... Not the London Palladium?. |
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Guy Denning
Artist
New Member
Posts • 636
Likes • 1,281
July 2007
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Being an Artist Must Be So Easy..., by Guy Denning on May 30, 2011 12:10:23 GMT 1, "Not the London Palladium?. "
Bugger - you didn't get the London Palladium gig did you Remi?!
Like any other way to put croissants, wine and tobacco on the table it's got its ups and downs.
It's hard work mentally but not up there physically with labouring (done that), factory work (been there), garage workshop work (got the oily t-shirt).
For twenty plus years I've spent evenings, nights and weekends painting and supported it by a huge variety of other jobs 9-5. The kids have gone without because it's a bloody selfish way of living...
I wouldn't do anything else. The only thing now (living in an area of France with acute unemployment) is that I have worries about my luck changing back to how it was five years ago.
I do feel lucky and I keep telling myself to never take it for granted. being a full-time pencil-squeezer ain't the bed of roses that many think it is - but it's nothing to sit and whinge about while others are getting laid off left, right and centre.
I like to kid myself it's a job but it isn't - it's more selfish than that. It's an obsession and there's something not quite right about following it where it takes you so single-mindedly. Forgive us our mental illnesses...
"Not the London Palladium?. "
Bugger - you didn't get the London Palladium gig did you Remi?!
Like any other way to put croissants, wine and tobacco on the table it's got its ups and downs.
It's hard work mentally but not up there physically with labouring (done that), factory work (been there), garage workshop work (got the oily t-shirt).
For twenty plus years I've spent evenings, nights and weekends painting and supported it by a huge variety of other jobs 9-5. The kids have gone without because it's a bloody selfish way of living...
I wouldn't do anything else. The only thing now (living in an area of France with acute unemployment) is that I have worries about my luck changing back to how it was five years ago.
I do feel lucky and I keep telling myself to never take it for granted. being a full-time pencil-squeezer ain't the bed of roses that many think it is - but it's nothing to sit and whinge about while others are getting laid off left, right and centre.
I like to kid myself it's a job but it isn't - it's more selfish than that. It's an obsession and there's something not quite right about following it where it takes you so single-mindedly. Forgive us our mental illnesses...
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Being an Artist Must Be So Easy..., by thegreatarchitect on May 31, 2011 10:09:29 GMT 1, "It’s now just 3 days and counting until ‘A’ opens at Blackall Studios. I thought I’d share some facts behind putting on an exhibition, as someone said to me today that my job must be so easy… The fact of it is, it isn’t easy at all… To make a solid body of work, whilst still juggling childcare, school runs, other work and running a home and a family is actually quite a difficult task. Even when you do manage to steal a few hours to paint, it’s not always that easy to create anything of any substance… But we somehow manage and a lot of us artists actually manage to create a show’s worth of work in under a year, which is no easy task! So once said artist has completed ‘his body of work’, he needs to find a gallery to put that show on… If like Steve More and myself you don’t have a nice swanky West End, white walled gallery repping you, the only other option is to hire a space… (Not cheap!) But once you’ve found that space and paid the deposit, you’re almost there!? Nah… You still have to invite people… An empty gallery is a not even an option, so you facebook, twitter, email and promo until your hands bleed from typing… Then, you need to sort refreshments out for all those guests you’ve now got coming and since the guys who said ‘Yeah, no worries, we’ll sort that for you!’ blow you out like cheap, pound shop candles. You then have to start from scratch persuading some cool drinks brands to offer you a little help, whilst gently explaining that you’re not willing to parade around the private view of your major show wearing a sandwich board with their logo on it… Refreshments sorted and brands placated! Surely we’re done now? Not even slightly… Press and promo still needs doing, so a very kindly pr company comes on board and makes life that little bit easier for you… Relax…. NO! Don’t relax! Remember those ‘cool’ catalogues you spent endless nights designing!!?? Yes them… Well their not arriving apparently until the day before the exhibition ends. Cue many phone calls to printers in Germany via a sharply dressed print broker in the West End… And the realisation that somebody somewhere forgot that there’s 31 days in January, not 28! Major f**k up!!! So as Sunday looms upon you and you know you have 24 hours to hang 30 pieces of work, fit a huge installation that spans the entire gallery space and find the money to pay for everything, sort the bar, security staff, sales staff, price lists, labels, guest list and… find an appropriately awesome outfit to wear for the opening night! Please spare a thought for the poor, simple idiots who truly believe that being an artist is really f**king easy…t**ts! " From an artists blog for a show here in a Edinburgh a while back. Thought people (especially artists) on here might appreciate it!
In to each reign a little life must fall (ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzz)
"It’s now just 3 days and counting until ‘A’ opens at Blackall Studios. I thought I’d share some facts behind putting on an exhibition, as someone said to me today that my job must be so easy… The fact of it is, it isn’t easy at all… To make a solid body of work, whilst still juggling childcare, school runs, other work and running a home and a family is actually quite a difficult task. Even when you do manage to steal a few hours to paint, it’s not always that easy to create anything of any substance… But we somehow manage and a lot of us artists actually manage to create a show’s worth of work in under a year, which is no easy task! So once said artist has completed ‘his body of work’, he needs to find a gallery to put that show on… If like Steve More and myself you don’t have a nice swanky West End, white walled gallery repping you, the only other option is to hire a space… (Not cheap!) But once you’ve found that space and paid the deposit, you’re almost there!? Nah… You still have to invite people… An empty gallery is a not even an option, so you facebook, twitter, email and promo until your hands bleed from typing… Then, you need to sort refreshments out for all those guests you’ve now got coming and since the guys who said ‘Yeah, no worries, we’ll sort that for you!’ blow you out like cheap, pound shop candles. You then have to start from scratch persuading some cool drinks brands to offer you a little help, whilst gently explaining that you’re not willing to parade around the private view of your major show wearing a sandwich board with their logo on it… Refreshments sorted and brands placated! Surely we’re done now? Not even slightly… Press and promo still needs doing, so a very kindly pr company comes on board and makes life that little bit easier for you… Relax…. NO! Don’t relax! Remember those ‘cool’ catalogues you spent endless nights designing!!?? Yes them… Well their not arriving apparently until the day before the exhibition ends. Cue many phone calls to printers in Germany via a sharply dressed print broker in the West End… And the realisation that somebody somewhere forgot that there’s 31 days in January, not 28! Major f**k up!!! So as Sunday looms upon you and you know you have 24 hours to hang 30 pieces of work, fit a huge installation that spans the entire gallery space and find the money to pay for everything, sort the bar, security staff, sales staff, price lists, labels, guest list and… find an appropriately awesome outfit to wear for the opening night! Please spare a thought for the poor, simple idiots who truly believe that being an artist is really f**king easy…t**ts! " From an artists blog for a show here in a Edinburgh a while back. Thought people (especially artists) on here might appreciate it! In to each reign a little life must fall (ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzz) |
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Rene Gagnon
Artist
New Member
Posts • 175
Likes • 62
September 2007
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Being an Artist Must Be So Easy..., by Rene Gagnon on Jun 8, 2011 19:28:45 GMT 1, i agree with guy wholeheartedly. its a very very selfish thing - being an artist. trying to share a life with someone that doesn't understand being an artist it's really extremely difficult. i've heard many times things to this affect, "why do you continue to do something no one likes or cares to buy or display, your wasting your life on a dream, etc.." but you basically say screw you this is what i have to do to keep my head right - it's an energy that needs to run its course. being an artist has ended past relationships and my marriage due to my selfishness when it comes to my art. that is one difficult and life changing thing to think about before anyone truly puts 'all' their extra time into a dream.
read on page one of this thread - those that do, do. those that can't teach. i gotta disagree. as guy mentions we do many things to get to be a full time artist - teaching is one of them. i'll be honest i've heard many many many times from other artists - "i wish i had a teaching job", some in fact are working towards that goal - artists you all know and admire. teaching is probably one of the most rewarding experiences an artist can have, being an inspiration for the future. i'll tell ya last week my seniors left, a few in tears, telling me how they will miss me and my class, and my grumpy ass attitude when i got too much on my plate. which also brought tears to my eyes - a painting has never made me cry and has never said 'thank you'
i agree with guy wholeheartedly. its a very very selfish thing - being an artist. trying to share a life with someone that doesn't understand being an artist it's really extremely difficult. i've heard many times things to this affect, "why do you continue to do something no one likes or cares to buy or display, your wasting your life on a dream, etc.." but you basically say screw you this is what i have to do to keep my head right - it's an energy that needs to run its course. being an artist has ended past relationships and my marriage due to my selfishness when it comes to my art. that is one difficult and life changing thing to think about before anyone truly puts 'all' their extra time into a dream.
read on page one of this thread - those that do, do. those that can't teach. i gotta disagree. as guy mentions we do many things to get to be a full time artist - teaching is one of them. i'll be honest i've heard many many many times from other artists - "i wish i had a teaching job", some in fact are working towards that goal - artists you all know and admire. teaching is probably one of the most rewarding experiences an artist can have, being an inspiration for the future. i'll tell ya last week my seniors left, a few in tears, telling me how they will miss me and my class, and my grumpy ass attitude when i got too much on my plate. which also brought tears to my eyes - a painting has never made me cry and has never said 'thank you'
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Being an Artist Must Be So Easy..., by des77 on Jun 8, 2011 20:39:17 GMT 1, read on page one of this thread - those that do, do. those that can't teach. i gotta disagree.
Its an old saying that can be said about any profession, from being a footballer to an artist. Its not meant to interpreted quite so literally though.
read on page one of this thread - those that do, do. those that can't teach. i gotta disagree. Its an old saying that can be said about any profession, from being a footballer to an artist. Its not meant to interpreted quite so literally though. |
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kjzimm
New Member
Posts • 265
Likes • 6
June 2009
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Being an Artist Must Be So Easy..., by kjzimm on Jun 9, 2011 5:15:46 GMT 1, Rico/Guy/Rene, I understand what you're going or have gone through to follow your passion. In the end, what's life if you've left some on the table?
I set out to complete 12 pieces in a year. It is almost 18 months and I have three complete pieces, six in process and two total rejects.
Like any other career, it isn't easy, but satisfying if you succeed. Trying to attain your goals is better than never giving it a chance. At the moment, I'm feeding my family first, but like Ronnie Wood wrote in my sketch book, "work on...and well...". Maybe persistence will pay off. Ronnie's has. He's a well known artist and well collected while his day job pays the bills.
I applaud you all for following a dream. I hope to deserve a red star. In the mean time I'll work on and hopefully well.
Rico/Guy/Rene, I understand what you're going or have gone through to follow your passion. In the end, what's life if you've left some on the table?
I set out to complete 12 pieces in a year. It is almost 18 months and I have three complete pieces, six in process and two total rejects.
Like any other career, it isn't easy, but satisfying if you succeed. Trying to attain your goals is better than never giving it a chance. At the moment, I'm feeding my family first, but like Ronnie Wood wrote in my sketch book, "work on...and well...". Maybe persistence will pay off. Ronnie's has. He's a well known artist and well collected while his day job pays the bills.
I applaud you all for following a dream. I hope to deserve a red star. In the mean time I'll work on and hopefully well.
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