Blogging

The website changed its format for blogging and here I am beginning again...

As an artist, the time promoting oneself can take more time than actually creating. It is a reality and like some of the artists that I follow, there are so many avenues with which to participate. Instagram, our own websites, Facebook, Twitter, local venues, people you meet along the way, friends, family, community, Patreon, YouTube, blogs, and other ways that I haven't yet discovered (not sure I want to add anymore!), but I am sure I will get notified from companies that are more than happy to help me part with my money with so much down and this much a month.

Not only do I have to be creative, ensure I have goals that are measurable, have a niche, a sales pitch, some kind of schtick, realism vs loose/abstract, decide if I am only doing originals or include prints as well, approaching companies that can put my work on their product, and whether or not I want to delve into other types of materials, etc.

Where do I see myself by the end of 2020, 2021 etc? What could I doing differently to be noticed and attract buyers? Am I going to contribute to a cause? Where will I display my work?

Along with doing my own work, I help others to take risks and promote themselves through our local library and City Hall.

All these things and more...not just doing art anymore. Belief in myself, not comparing to someone else? Being true to myself - painting, drawing, sculpting, as long as it brings me joy? Do I venture into lessons that can improve my product, learning other ways of expressing that joy, and how does this teaching progress me to my goals?

Yes many questions, not as many answers, but if I keep putting one foot in front of the other, absorbing information I can use, discarding what might not be relative, all with keeping a constant energy of being curious.

Deep yes, relevant yes, doable...maybe, but stressing about it puts a damper on the product. This year, a dedication to more promoting myself - see where it takes me. But definitely more work and the joy of finishing a piece - my aim always!

I will continue to be the curious wide-eyed child looking at the world around me and work to express all that I see from that world into my work - whatever material it is in - is in the message I wish to convey.