Blog #2
In order to be a “working” artist, I have to work—pretty
obvious, right? So, I spend oodles of time daily in my studio working, making
art. Art that I love to share! However, to share my art I’ve come to realize
that I have to promote yourself. And self-promotion I’m finding is rather
challenging. I feel as though I’m sort of “bragging”, singing my own praises.
So far, no one’s come knocking lol!
Sharing my artwork wasn’t always an easy thing to do, and
sometimes still isn’t. Whenever I share my artwork I run the all too common
risk of being criticized. I open myself up. I put myself—and my inner most being—on
display for others to examine. To scrutinize. To look at, study, analyze and
evaluate. Very scary indeed! Several years ago, I was so fearful to show my
artwork, that I rarely shared it—only to a few, mostly family and friends. (You
know the “supporters” no matter what.)
The dictionary defines “criticism”
as “1. the expression of disapproval of
someone or something based on perceived faults or mistakes 2. the analysis and
judgment of the merits and faults of a literary or artistic work”
When I first started showing and sharing my artwork, if the
comments are positive, then I’d feel elated, but when they weren’t, then I felt
rather deflated. Criticism—evaluation, assessment, appraisal, analysis—I’ve
come to understand is just someone’s judgment about the artwork and sometimes
even the artist. It’s really not to be taken personally. Even so, no one wants
to receive any “bad press”! I’m sometimes still nervous, and occasionally
intimidated by other artists and/or their work, but I continue to put myself
“out there”. It’s become clear that to be a working artist, I not only have to
work at creating my art, but also do the hard, laborious, (and mostly not so glamorous)
work of publicizing my artwork and myself. I’m constantly trying to nurture,
stimulate and inspire others through my art and also have others to WANT to see
my work and to get to know ME :)
Social Media (SM) and the Internet are the perfect platforms
for sharing my artwork. By taking baby steps, one step at a time, I feel that
I’m moving forward, making headway by trying to engage YOU, my viewers and
cultivate an audience and a following through the following SM venues:
I’d love for you to take some time and have a look at my
artwork on Instagram, also on my ARTIST Facebook page
(I have 2 other pages—my personal
page & my Yoga Studio page), and on my ARTIST website (I also have a website
for Annemarie’s Yoga Studio).
Here are 2 lithographic prints that I did last year. I was
extremely fortunate to be able to have the opportunity to work in a print
studio—something for another post :)
Be well and have a Fabulous day!
Live your Creative Life!
💋Annemarie
No comments:
Post a Comment