Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions...

...Small people always do that, but the really great ones make you feel that you, too, can become great". 

-Mark Twain

I have learned the hard way the past few years that sometimes those you admire, respect, hold of very high opinion - even in your field - may very well act in ways and do things that are not in your best interest. It's important to take it for what it is, not try to deny it or change it - but accept it and most of all, rise above it.

Camaraderie is great; and we all want positive reinforcement with our growth and our work. We want to connect, feel a part of something special, yet have our unique stamp and recognition. We want to belong and yet be respected as an equal, and an individual. It has been my experience, the more I challenged myself through the years, the obstacles increase - and on this personal note I'm referring to people, not just the art.

Sometimes the lines will be blurred and hard to see, but it is most important that when  your peace of mind and approach to work suffers - identify the source, it may very be the one closest to you in the field. A previous mentor of mine that helped me grow tremendously, turned out to be a very dangerous force - a ticking time bomb, emotionally. This person would turn on a dime; and smear my work if his foul mood gave him permission. Another colleague showed complete lack of support when I decided to try another art show to exhibit in and sell my work. It's not one he ever did himself, but chose a loyalty somewhere else and somehow my choice was enough to throw mocking, childish insults. He insulted the show and myself along with it. It's not easy to swallow that those you truly supported do not return the same feelings. This is where you accept it, as hard as that is. Lots of Ego, lots of Politics, lots of Games - nothing to do with the art itself.

When your peers and supposed friends begin to hold you back, it's time to cut them loose. Each experience will be a layer of resilience, necessary for your growth & survival.

Celebration of Fine Art 2010

I've been painting and preparing for this Annual, juried exhibition, check in is tomorrow at 10am! The rest of the week will not be glamorous; patching, painting the walls in the booth, installing carpet, lights...this set up is much more work than the previous show I'd been exhibiting at the past 3 years. They did all this work for you, but the walls were black and the only choice. Due to my financial circumstances changing, I had to take a good hard look at both exhibits, and truly, the new one I'm entering this year has a great advertising campaign promoting the show, it came down to that. These directors have ad placements in the top publications not only local, but regional & national. I'm so blown away and impressed! It's exciting.

It also is fun to be able to choose an appropriate wall color that suits best to complement your work, helps people envision it in their home. Took weeks just to decide the wall color! I needed something that went well with both the warm toned pieces as well as cool; ended up with a rich port wine. My good friend Sharon is coming to help out and share the adventure!

All the rest of the details to follow: finishing paintings, wiring them, creating price tags, prints. It all comes together in the end. I just finished the Mountain Lion; it took longer than I anticipated, causing delay in other new painting ideas I had for the show but those can be done during the exhibit, so we're in good shape. I'll post her on the website this week, after she's been photographed for Giclee prints for the Big Cat Rescue's.

celebrateart.com

Happy New Year,
Till next time!