I’m digging back into my Heartspoken archives to find some of the most popular posts and re-run them for those who might have missed them.
Three years ago, I welcomed guest blogger and amazing abstract painter Gwen Fox. Gwen and I took a writing class together, and I’ve followed her blog and newsletter ever since. When I read this piece in her newsletter, I asked if I could share it, because I have come to believe we are all artists, whether we do our creating on canvas or elsewhere on the stage of life. I’ve written about this elsewhere (“Are you an artist?”), and I hope Gwen’s piece resonates with you as much as it did with me.
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There are many skills an artist needs to be successful. Here are five I personally think are necessary.
1) Develop your curiosity.
Curiosity is one of our greatest assets as an artist. This gives us the opportunity to ask “Why not?” “What if?” and “How would it look if I did it this way?” These are questions we need to ask ourselves each time we step before our future painting [or creation].
2) Let go of perfectionism.
Why do we always feel we have to be perfect? Perhaps it is because we were told as children to do it “right.” Perfectionism is a killer of growth.
2) Get out of your comfort zone.
I call it “Getting out of Neutral.” When we always stay where we are comfortable, we don’t give ourselves the opportunity to explore. Painting, writing, or anything that requires us to think in a creative manner also challenges us to expand beyond where we are comfortable.
4) Manage your time wisely.
Setting aside studio time is essential in order to produce quality work. As with anything if it isn’t in my schedule, something else will come along and fill the space. Schedule your time to create!
5) Learn how to market yourself.
Not one of our favorite things to think about, but marketing is now a huge part of our puzzle to success. As I tell my students, the biggest reason to market is….You Will Not Be Discovered unless you learn how. The world is a big place, but with the Internet it has become smaller and more accessible. In my workshops this summer in Taos, I had students from Vietnam, Poland and Lithuania — these students found me on the Internet.
Let me know what you think.
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Gwen Fox is a world-renowned abstract painter, teacher, mentor, & workshop leader based in Taos, New Mexico. Gwen’s mission is to help artists find their own authentic creative voice.
Her exciting new workshop “Marketing Made Simple for Artists” is filled with easy to understand marketing information presented from a working artist’s perspective. Read more at http://www.gwenfox.com.
Photo Credit: “Paint” by Ria Mendoza, Dubai, United Arab Emirates via StockXChng
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Karen S. Elliott says
atWhat a great article. I am curious about so many things – I look them up. I love to use my creative side, by writing. I took some art classes a while back and created a lot after that! Have drifted away from the art, but hope to pick it up again soon. Perfectionism – ah! Yes, I am a bit of a perfectionist, more so with my writing and editing than most things. Marketing can be so precipitous – I want to market but don’t want to drown my friends with pleading and requests. You are near my old stomping grounds – I recently moved from Albuquerque, NM. Nice to see you here, Gwen!
Elizabeth Cottrell says
atThanks, Karen.
Of all people, Winston Churchill wrote a piece late in his life about the joys of painting called Painting As A Pastime. He felt it opened up a whole depth of his brain and his thinking that he had never tapped into before and was a valuable counterpoint to the kind of strategic thinking he had to do in his work.
Yes, Perfectionism and self-promotion are stumbling blocks for many creative types!
Elizabeth Cottrell says
atA dear friend of mine sent an email in response to this post. He said, “But how do I let go of perfectionism? That’s the one that hurts me the most.”
This is a great and painful question, because it’s one with which many of us struggle.
My own immediate response is that awareness is the first step. Then it’s a matter of baby steps in letting go a little piece of something that we’ve always thought was essential but that, when we’re honest, we know it’s not. My sweet husband has helped me see this in myself when I get stressed by something I think I have to do by gently asking, “What’s the worst thing that would happen if you didn’t get that done today?” Or “Who is it that you feel you’ve got to satisfy in this?” Often that gives me just enough space to take a deep breath and get things in perspective.
Ooooh, that’s a juicy question. I’m sure there have been volumes written about it. Have any of you readers got any answers or tips for someone struggling with perfectionism?
Karen S. Elliott says
atThat is a juicy question. Some things I am VERY picky about, but others, eh! My work and writing I’m very picky about. My kitchen sink – can’t have drops of water on it after I do dishes. Same goes for washing up at the bathroom sink. But I try not to sweat most small stuff. I think it’s important to look at consequences and outcomes of making a decision to be perfect or to just let it go. Also, consider how crazy you might be making your loved ones by your perfectionism. I should let the drips on the sinks go I think.
Elizabeth Cottrell says
at“Also, consider how crazy you might be making your loved ones by your perfectionism.” I love this, Karen! And it’s oh, so true! There are lots of things we need to just let go so there is space for the more important things…like being present for our loved ones…or for the next work of art that’s bubbling up inside us.
Beth K. Vogt says
atI love the encouragement to get out of our comfort zones. When I do that, the fun stuff starts happening!!
Elizabeth Cottrell says
atYou’re so right, Beth — I watched you do it yourself in the last few years, and it’s a great lesson for us all. Thanks for reading and commenting!
shiranirajapakse says
atThanks to Karen for sharing this on FB. I think perfectionism is necessary to a certain degree. As writers we need to make certain that the stuff we write is “near perfect” but I also believe we need to take a step back and not try to be a 100 percent perfect. The flaws are sometimes what makes a story or piece of writing work. We may think its not but others might catch onto it. Its also about perspective and how we see things. Literature and art are about society and not just about the writer. As artists we should create art that makes us happy and not think only about how perfect it is or ask how will others view it. Besides if we all did things perfectly, it would be such a bore. We’d all be like machines. We are human with talents and flaws and being a little less perfect is fine.
Elizabeth Cottrell says
atWhat a thoughtful and intelligent response! You have brought up some very good points. It’s easy to focus on ourselves, and perfectionism hurts us in that it keeps us from “shipping” (as Seth Godin would say) — a form of paralysis. But you’ve brought up another important aspect — that when we fail to release our art, for whatever reason, we deprive others of its beauty, as imperfect as it might be. We also miss the chance for your art to speak to another artist and say, “See, if I can do this, so can you!”
gwen fox says
atElizabeth….thank you so much for sharing the article. What great responses and “perfectionism” sure hit a cord. I think it is something we all deal with. We are brought up as children to always do our best.
How to let go of this mental guest is worth a future article.
Elizabeth Cottrell says
atThank you for letting me share, Gwen. I, too, am fascinated with the way perfectionism resonated with so many people. I love the mantra “Done is better than perfect” — it applies in most things, but I wouldn’t want my neurosurgeon to go too far down that line of thinking :-).
Cyndi Briggs says
atLovely :). My writing group met yesterday and we wrote on the question, “Has your art been brave enough?”. It was very powerful and we all appreciated the opportunity to consider our own “art”, no matter how it manifests in our lives. These suggestions are so helpful.
Elizabeth Cottrell says
atI love that topic, Cyndi: “Has your art been brave enough?” Seth Godin would be proud! Did you ever blog about your response to it? If so, please share the link here for other readers.