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So why have I slacked on heeding my own advice? Partly because it’s a lot of work, and it’s not as fun as working in the studio. It’s also because I’ve failed to make it a priority, and I’ve simply found ways to justify avoiding it. I’ve realized that I can be my biggest enemy at times, and quite often I have to remind myself to get out of my own way.

It’s hard for me to simply let go of my own expectations. I start a website or a blog and I want it to be something grandiose and bigger than what it is. I imagine the audience and I try to craft content that is directed towards them, and usually things come to a halt because I wind up editing myself and not allowing my own voice or interests to shine through. I become fixated on tiny details and postpone things until I’ve got them worked out. I can be a perfectionist and that impulse can derail my projects before they get off of the ground.

I have to remind myself that the quality of the content will improve as I get acclimated to the medium. I’ve felt a bit discouraged because things have felt a bit rocky, but that’s something that occurs any time you start a new endeavor. Just like with painting, I can’t help but write like me or post the way I do. I can look at the way other people market themselves or maintain their blogs and websites, and I can gleam ideas and inspiration from them for how I’d like to build my own sites. But in terms of content and how I choose to present it, well that has to be entirely up to me. Will I make mistakes? Certainly. However, making mistakes is part of the game, and it’s better to do that rather than do nothing. I constantly remind my students that every decision they make is probably wrong, and not to worry about making mistakes. I encourage them to embrace their mistakes because they reveal the areas that need improvement. I also remind them that they are their biggest critics, and that they should learn to shut down that little voice inside of their heads.

My problem is that months of inactivity will go by between updates. I’ll have an idea in the back of my mind, but the longer I wait, the more difficult it is to act on it. I have a couple of websites that I’ve wanted to update since May, but each time I went to do something about it, I found myself falling into the “I want it to be perfect” trap. Instead of making the small changes that I needed to make, I got distracted by the larger expectations of what I wanted it to be. So here I am five months later, and I’m basically in the same spot I was a year ago. The only thing that’s changed now is I’ve decided to put in the work and make this networking and marketing thing a higher priority.

Truth be told, I want to make my living as an artist, and I don’t want to have to rely on a day job. The only way that can happen is by putting in the time to make it happen. I’ve got to do the groundwork to gain exposure and generate interest in my art. I’ve heard from some of the older artists on the scene that in order to succeed, you have to put your work in front of as many sets of eyeballs that you can. If you show five-thousand people your work, then at least a couple of people will like it. I guess I could use the excuse that the economy is in shambles, but that only means that I have to be a bit more creative and resourceful. Times are hard, but instead of viewing these circumstances as obstacles, I have to see them as opportunities.

I’ve begun to reconnect with my network and update my websites, portfolios and other support materials. It can be a dull and daunting task, but I have to continually remind myself of the benefits. Having a current resume and portfolio makes it more convenient to apply to shows and follow up on opportunities. I find that I am less likely to explore an opportunity if I know that I have to put in several hours work updating my packet. That usually means that I deem some opportunities more worthy than others, and I wind up not exploring every option. Doing the work in advance means it requires little effort to apply to things on a whim; the materials are already on hand and all I have to do is drop them into email attachments.

In conclusion, I’ve realized that it is never too late to start. No matter what the scope of the project is, I have to be content with tackling small tasks, and not worrying about the larger picture, that will become much clearer once I do the work I’m avoiding. I simply identify one task, complete it, and then move on to the next one. These little things provide me with a sense of accomplishment, and they give me the confidence to tackle the next problem. Also, I’ve learned to do it at my own pace and not rushing it. I’ve got my entire life to accomplish my goals, so there’s no reason to be in such a hurry. Most importantly I remind myself to loosen up and have fun.

Eight Steps For Success In The Art World

1. Do good work.
2. Have a strong background- (There is competition within genres; am I timely?; who is this person?; who has written about him/her?)
3. Show signs of dedication and major commitment.
4. Hang out at key places (word of mouth business; information of the tribe passed around; critical opinion of a well respected artist; should know the names of every critic and artist; )
5. Behave professionally- (have something to say about your work; have slides and resume updated and handy.)
6. Seek help- (there are people out there willing to help you)
7. Be charming (but don’t overdo it)
8. Be realistic ( but not cynical or pessimistic)

I’ve decided to post today to prove (to those that are paying attention) that I’m not a slacker and that I have been working. I offer these snapshots as evidence, and perhaps one of these days I will get around to properly posting them on my portfolio site.

Taken a step further...

I’ve spent the past 18 months working my ass off. I secured a grant, some commissions and a number of exhibition opportunities. These things were all positive developments and they were motivational. Working towards deadlines is important because it sort of forces you to become more disciplined and organized. The pressure of meeting a deadline can also inject some energy into a project. It’s like a pressure cooker and you’d be amazed what you can pull off when the clock is ticking. But as productive as this mode of working is, it also has it drawbacks.

When I work towards a deadline, it means that most things are figured out in advance and a lot of my energy is devoted to execution. Other directions and ideas often arise, but they’re set aside because they might not fit within the series. There’s always a point within a project where I stop thinking about what is possible and start focusing on what is probable. The work can become quite stagnant and formulaic.

Not working towards deadlines means that I’m free to make whatever the hell it that I want to make. It means that I can explore multiple directions without being concerned about the end product. This freedom can translate into a significant amount of growth and exploration.

Design Matrix Idea

This sketch came from experimenting with the drawing tablet. I wanted to open up the process and do a bit more painting with the computer. I’ve always relied upon the computer to manipulate existing images or as a tool to generate crisp technical styled drawings. It was nice to focus upon the gesture and re-introduce evidence of the artist’s hand to the process. This drawing will likely evolve into a painting.

I continued sketching today. I wanted to pay more attention to my surroundings and explore a direction that reflects more of the moment. The goal is to try and generate or rather amplify something positive. Looking at the world, it’s hard not to develop a harsh glare. It’s easy to wrap yourself in negativity and cynicism. Remembering the past, and haunted by the future. My previous work has been about my desire to come to terms with ignorance and fear. I’m searching with the work.