Pond
5x7 inches
Acrylic on panel
Oak frame
100.00
See my paintings HERE
Art Notes Blog HERE
Linda's Coming Events:
"Country Roads"
Leesburg Art Center
November 1- December 16, 2007
Leesburg,Florida
Linda's Annual Chili Party
Saturday, November 3, 2007
10 AM - 6 PM
See direction on my web site contact page.
Wekiva Paint Out
Wekiva State Park
March 3-8, 2008
Apopka, Florida
Hosted by the Friends of Wekiva
Artists in the Garden
Epcot Center
Walt Disney World
April 4-6, 2008
Hosted by the Annual Flower and Garden Festival
Heart of Florida Paint Out
Evinston-McIntosh-Orange Lake
April 11-18, 2008
Hosted by the City of McIntosh and the Artist Alliance of North Florida
Painters Tip
An artist emailed me yesterday to ask about how to write a statement/resume/bio. It came out in our conversation that she is 68 years old with no exhibition experience and no sales at all. She teaches other artists to paint and draw.
I don't want to tiptoe around the issue of age and experience in trying to launch a professional career in the fine arts. It is a very difficult road to success, even for those with a fine arts degree in their hands. When I got out of art school 31 years ago, I had the idea that I could paint and people would start lining up for my work. Within five years, I would be making a cozy living with assistants running around to help me. In fact, I had to go though many jobs, including restaurant line cook, housekeeper, mail sorter, private chef, and caterer in order to scrape by, while all the while painting each and every day, waiting for the big league. About 15 years ago, I finally took the plunge and have managed to survive as a professional artist since.
To aspire to the professional level at 68 is not impossible, but unlikely. It can be done but to what end? Would it not be better to enjoy the noble profession of teaching? She is doing a great service for others and I am very proud of her. She wakes up each day as an artist, which is the ultimate privilege in my opinion. To her credit also, she is very realistic about this and more interested in the research of what it takes to be a pro than the actuality. I wish her great success in every endeavor.
On the other had, for someone in their 60's, who has good retirement income, good health and plenty of leisure time, it is certainly possible to become a successful local or regional artist. Again, it takes work and consistent marketing, and if it is important to you to sell and be recognized, then by all means go for it. As long as you are not fully dependant on sales for your living, you can enjoy being an active artist who sells regularly. You will have the luxury of selling your work at very affordable prices and you will have many sales as a result.
2 comments:
Linda, this was a great post, as are so many of your posts. This one in particular got me to thinking because there are so many of us who will never make it "big". Yet, in our own small towns we sell where we can, enter the small time contests and play at being a celeb. when we can. But like you said ... you'd better have a additional income.
I admire your fortitude needed to be a professional artist.
Thank you very much Nancy. The important tihing is that we can all be happy as artists without fame and glory. I am just a country painter. I can accept that and be thrilled with what I do.
Love,
Linda
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