Criticism

Touchy subject. To take criticism means to accept rejection, that your status quo isn't quite cutting it. Not fun! Which is why I will always come back to the form of criticism itself, is it constructive? 

I only accept the constructive version, have no ear for the other. Not that it hasn't found me. It's my belief that people who can constructively give criticism, have your best interest at heart. The other, is too self-absorbed to extend an interest beyond themselves....which is why they don't care how the criticism is received. It means more to their ego to use some temporary authority and power than to actually help.  

Ask yourself at least these 2 questions during criticism:

Is it constructive?

If so, are they qualified to be giving you advice?

Be open to things that can improve your work, be critical of yourself, but also be true to yourself, your vision.

Serengeti Sun 24"x36" oil on canvas

A word about Charities....

With a struggling economy, this year has been about finding ways to expose my work either for little cost or free. I've started entering national competitions, and working with animal rescues and charities. I decided to donate a painting to a very well-known charity. Black tie event, women in cocktail dresses, and dinner for $250 ea. 500 of the wealthiest names in Scottsdale, all in one place.

Getting in front of a qualified audience is always key - and a hard thing to do! Public art show attendees include everyone from art students to art collectors, can't always tell who you're talking to, and yet you need to know before you can sell your art. I was excited because with this charity, that obstacle was eliminated. A business owner I know donates every year, good cause and exposure for his business - this was the same place I was coming from.

My donation painting was $3,000 and minimum bids would start at $500. It's hard enough to "give" work away but I'm willing to do so for a good cause and the right exposure. I knew going in, there was a chance that someone could walk away with it well under it's value; that's part of the risk. There were 60 items in the silent auction; everything from vacation travels to jewelry, even trips to celebrity talk shows. 

The auction started at 6:30 pm and people dressed to the nine start coming through. It's open bar, drinks were free. As the room got more and more crowded we noted that no one was really paying attention to the silent auction items. I glanced at my associate's donation item, which was nice but not extravagant or the higher priced items from his store. While I'm here, I'm also going to share that those running the event, did not bother to make their way over to Ben and I, thanking us for our donation. A potential sale of $3,000 going to their cause- that is a lot of money for us. Too bad class didn't come with their wealth.

The painting did get noticed and people picked up my cards, though no bids were placed. One soul tried to bid on it for $150, so I clarified to her that the min. bid was $500, increments were $100. She assured me, "Oh! Well if you decide to sell the painting for cheaper, let me know!" Unbelievable. Walking around I noted that only about 6 of the 60 items were bid on, and the current bids were sitting about 1/3 of the item's value. By the time the auction was over, I was relieved no one had bid on my work and I could have it back in my inventory! This was just the wrong situation.

We learned that night what my contact reiterated the day after: there are 2 types of charities: those that are serious about raising money for a cause, and those that need an excuse to throw a party. He never donated expensive items to this one for that reason. I learned a lot here, and thankfully, I'm out nothing but my time and won't be back. The trick now is finding which charities truly to be involved with?

A Successful Art Career: Clear as mud?

This is my quest: to become the preeminent contemporary wildlife painter in this country and abroad.  I wish to share with others because no one was/is there to guide me, you have to learn to play the game in which there are no rules.  It's easy to find successful artists; as well as the starving ones. Among the successful, no two stories are alike. One is left with trying everything, find what works for them though the good, bad and near impossible. I'm going to share my experiences on this journey, some conventional, some more innovative. This is truly my life story about the pursuit of happiness, and a dream I've had since I was 10. I could do nothing without my supportive husband Ben, who has always believed in me, and been supportive through thick & thin.