Contestants on American Idol amuse millions when they are absolutely convinced of their talent but they are completely oblivious to their flaws. We are entertained as they realize that the experienced judges beg to differ.
Frankly, a few artists approach me for coaching and consulting and they just don’t have it. But taste and style is very personal so it’s not for me alone to judge. And they never follow through on consultations and coaching.
What I emphasize to my artist clients is that the truth will set you free. Come on, be very honest with yourself about how your work stacks up in your category in the art market.
If you’re overly critical and lacking confidence then you are not performing a clear headed evaluation. If you haven’t had formal training, you must access credible guidance.
By the way, I don’t offer art critiques. I’m in the business of selling art, my own, and part time helping select artists sell theirs. I assume that you’ve passed the talent test and I won’t comment on the quality of your work.
And don’t let one person’s opinion shoot you down. Look for a pattern in others observations. I had a design professor in art school that I interned for when I was 20 years old. He owned a firm that did hand drawn architectural renderings. I respected him and wanted to be like him. But then he started to say, repeatedly in class and at work, that men could draw better than women. I was the only woman at the firm and a minority in my art school’s department. How do you think his sexist comments made me feel? Do you think it helped me gain confidence and skill? It absolutely interfered with a very expensive private art education.
Looking back, this was one of several experiences that led to my abandoning my creative career for over one and a half decades. But many of us have experienced serious challenges so I’m less interested in your horror stories and more interested in how you too have overcome them. Hence the title of this community: ArtistsWhoTHRIVE. I invite you too share how you discovered your own talent, voice, and confidence.
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