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When I was meditating in my retreat last week, I thought about my art. This a couple of years, I have been traveling, teaching, learning how to manage business, and trying to make ends meet. I did many small paintings and demoing significantly. The market is not bad, and my family and I are surviving in this tough world. However, what I really want to do is painting some serious paintings. I did some before, but they are sitting in the galleries and not moving. As a practical person, I concern about the market. Can I really afford to do this? On the other hand as a late starter and serious about progress, I should not be satisfied with a mediocre accomplishment. I need to aim higher. Even this kind of painting may not selling, but I will learn significantly, and I will not regret what I did in this life. Just like this meditation retreat. I may meditate in my house for 1 or 2 hours. Why bother using 10 days very valuable time going through 10 hours of agony everyday? Now my experience has told me. the effort is very well deserved. I am entering a new dimension.
Yesterday, I started this serious painting project. This painting is 16" x 20". I will work on this one for several days. I want to push as many envelopes as possible, using utmost what I know, and explore whatever unknowns, and document my journey. If you have suggestions, please let me know. I appreciate greatly you help me to grow.
4 comments:
Good post.
The struggle to find balance between the artist heart and pocket isn't easy. Its like creating a diet for a soul that insists on being gluten free even if it doesn't need to be.
I always appreciate your honesty. I must say it is reassuring to know that there is a component of struggle for you in what you do. I see you as having tremendous success and sailing through the art world. I guess artists need to always be strong and embrace the challenges of this trade. I would be very curious to know what your impressions are of why the serious paintings in the galleries are not moving. thanks.
Perhaps part of the puzzle is where the gallery is located and whether there is an active collecting community there year-round.
Since art is one of the ultimately luxuries, it seems that art is more difficult to sell in a difficult economy. Perhaps that's one reason the paintings in galleries have not sold. The last couple of years I have reduced the size of my paintings and they seem a bit easier to sell, although, fortunately, I don't depend on painting as a source of income.
I very much admire Qaing's work and the apparent ease with which his small works sell fin DailyPaintWorks.com auctions. He is an excellent artist and has done a great job of marketing his work.
Bob Blackmon
blackmonstudio.com
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