Skip to main content

One gal Gang



 

Lately I've been thinking about my place in the arts and I have come to realize a few things...
Early on in my art journey I did the "group" thing. I felt I needed help, encouragement, direction and opportunities. I soon realized that groups put a bad taste in my mouth. Despite me playing well with others- there was always someone who was "in charge" because they were controlling, had ego issues, enjoyed being a bossy bitch but still unhelpful. These people usually couldn't take any constructive criticism to make their relationships with others better and really soured me on the "group" experience. Add into the fact the GOSSIP that comes with groups because that's what groups do. Henpecking parties. I thought I was supposed to be creating art - not fighting off drama and feeling like I'm on a particularly terrible episode of 90210. 
And if you were labeled a bad egg because you didn't do the sheeple song and dance to appease their ego... You were excluded. Can't be in the show. Sorry all full! 
None of that was productive to me making art. Most likely I hadn't met the right supportive collective that had studied zen, let the ego and baby poop go... But I also couldn't afford to buy into the studio spaces, pay memberships or go to meetings. I was just trying to make real art dammit...now I'm supposed to pay for a team to get behind me?
So to make a long story short- I'm a one gal gang who actually does play well with others- providing the others aren't fake bullshitters who are only interested in the ego stroking and plastic side of life. I'm sure I'm labeled as an art snob because I shy away from groups in favor of my hermit retreat- my studio.
I'm only concerned with making the art, making the art as real and from the heart as possible and making the art. 
As a one gal gang my only posse has been my supporters, collectors and you. No gallery representation, no collectives with built in shows and opportunities. Me and finding the good ones out there has basically been my experience out here in the Wild West of the Arts. So thank you for being my posse and true of heart. I'm doing it all the hard way but you guys are a great reward. DIY for life- and this isn't to say that I wouldn't pair up with a great collective or gallery but you have to have my interests and career in mind- not just yours. 
♥️ 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Jim Rockford was keeping me broke

Ah Rockford files, a comfortable and silly way to unwind after work. Yes, I am completely aware that I've turned into my Dad and watching Dad shows totally cements that theory. I had to start looking at the handsome James Garner in a new light though... He was a rich and famous star in his time and every evening spent curled up watching Rockford Files was an evening a painting wasn't getting worked on. No painting, no art show material. No painting, no galleries. No painting, no money. Would James Garner be watching TV every evening in a tired drowsy ball and not getting stuff done? Probably not.  So I pulled myself away from TV land in the evenings and devoted at least a little time in the mornings as well. Even if it's just ten minutes. Even if you are just filling in all the blacks, blues or whatever... It is progress. Something is better than nothing. I'm proud to say this little habit tweak has totally kicked my butt into gear and I'm producing at a rate I'
Post a Comment
Read more

How I had the best art year

  This was the year I got rejection letters from every open call I applied to. Granted, it wasn't very many I applied to because I am very picky about what I sign up for AND I am also very jaded about these things of late.  However, this was my best art year to date and I kinda love that it was all rejection notices this year and I STILL HAD THE BEST ART YEAR EVER. Takeaway: Today's open calls are very "agenda based" and the jurors they choose to judge have their agendas. Some want more millennials and younger artists and shun the older artists, some want you to tackle race, gender identity, politics, feminist, pro this or that.... And my art does not. I'm going to stick by  my "Nature is more important than most bullshit" stance till I die because the very atom of life and Nature is more important in my eyes than most of the stuff humans do to feel more important than another group.  But I digress! I did not get into the velvet rope clubs and it was gre
Post a Comment
Read more

The Backstory- cliff notes edition

  Skip navigation  little backstory I was totally working for myself as an artist and you know what? It was HARD! Harder than hard and harder than any job ever. But it was the most rewarding experience and I learned so much about so many things and I want to share that knowledge with you guys... My VIP art club. I didn't get a fair shake from the very beginning of my art career. I suffered a back injury at my "muggle" job which required a lot of physical therapy to get over and which I will have with me forever now. It was actually the impetus for me to quit my job and start being an artist! So I turned my bad luck into fuel for my fire. I saved 5k (painstakingly while enduring all the BS at a terrible job) and then I made the leap. I was so excited and optimistic about working for myself! I had sold little pieces here and there and was sure it was only upwards from there. 2 weeks into my freedom- my Dad died unexpectedly. What came next was indescribable DEPRESSION and a
Post a Comment
Read more