Be Careful of Envy!

Linda Blondheim is a wonderful artist and friend who often shares her wisdom about being an artist with her followers on FaceBook. Today her post on envy really struck a cord with me and knowing that others often deal with this problem, I ask to share her thoughts with all of you. She graciously said yes.

Artists Be Careful of Envy
(by Linda Blondheim)

As you make changes in your career path of painting methods or marketing, it is common to be unsure of the results. It is easy to become jealous of the success someone else may achieve on the path you left. I was guilty of this myself in my younger, hubris filled days.
Many artists jump on various band wagons of seeming success to get publicity and to join the crowd. Sometimes it is wise to leave the wagon and go out on your own. Publicity doesn’t mean much if it doesn’t produce regular sales. If you really don’t enjoy the venues you are using, are they worth your time? Out time as a creative is precious. We should use it well and wisely.
It can be scary to do this. Don’t make the mistake of letting envy dictate your decisions. If you close a career path door, leave it closed with no regrets. Focus your energy on the next adventure and new opportunity. It is ok to be different. You might have to work harder at promotion. You may have to study your craft to constantly improve your work. You might have to be more determined. You might have to have an unerring faith in yourself and in those who support you.
Don’t waste a moment envying another’s success. Celebrate for them and for yourself because you are on a new path.
__________________________________________
Thank you, Linda!
You can find her paintings at www.lindablondheim.com
and here's one of my recent oil paintings, 48x24 gallery wrap canvas.

Comments

  1. Marsha Hamby SavageJune 12, 2016 at 8:37 PM

    I loved her post also, Carly. All of us as artists sometimes have to deal with envy of another artist. She also had posted something similar a few days or week ago... equally as well said. Thanks for using it for one of your posts... maybe many will take heed of this and nip it in the bud when they start having any feelings of envy. Better to congratulate an artist, wishing them well with what they are doing. Love you, girlfriend, even if we don't get to spend much time together!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

End Of Day

Image
What's on the easel? The 'hopefully' completion of a 60 x 48 oil on canvas "End Of Day". In a previous post I shared the beginning of this painting. Following the advice of Ken Elliott of finding a motif for my artwork....something that I was drawn to and upon waking, I can't wait to get to the studio to paint, has been a new adventure for me. I've often taken pictures of the beautiful skies over the lowcountry marshlands. From sunsets to sunrises to the immense summer thunderstorm clouds, I've found a subject that truly excites my creativity. My wish for you, if you're an artist, is that you would find that motif that both excites and challenges you! Keep the brushes in the paint!!
Read more

Intimidation

Image
Put you heart and soul into a painting! You are on a creative roll! You love the process and the outcome! Excitement builds just thinking about the sales to come! Red dots are manifested! Galleries will be knocking on your door this time! Oh wow! is that a dream or reality? Often we set our hopes on a new technique, a new concept, a change from the old way of creating and what happens. The galleries are not interested...it's too this or too that. Friends are saying, What is it? Not your usual way of working.... and your confidence drops to a new low! You tell yourself "ignore what others think" but in the back of your mind you're asking, "are they right?" Oh my! Intimidation has struck a blow in your creativity. First realize that galleries know their client needs and are not always willing to try a new approach. They may be filled to capacity and simply cannot take on a new artist. Follow their advice if offered and don't give up. Comments from o
Read more

Caught In A Rut?

Image
OK....so you feel you're back on track and for a time it's clear sailing and then "it" happens. Yep, you find yourself in a rut! How does it feel? For me it's when I go to the studio and nothing seems to grab my attention. Painting subjects become repetitive. There's no communication with the canvas...just rote strokes of paint that get wiped away in frustration. Ever been there? First, recognize what might be causing this feeling of futile creating.... Have your circumstances changed? People trouble? Money concerns? Health? Distractions? Environment? I think you can see that almost life itself can effect our creativity. And while I can't solve all of the problems or concerns that you may be facing, I can give you some advice about how I pull myself out of the "rut". I look for new ideas! I asked myself "Why would I want to paint this?" or "What do I want to say in this painting?". Having an idea is just the first s
Read more