This is another one of those paintings I started a while ago and for some reason I lost interest and left it in my unfinished paintings file. I hope someone finds some pleasure from this painting.As an artist I attempt different subjects and start off very enthusiastically and half way through get distracted and start something else that appeals to me more at the time.
The current painting is then put on the back burner until I get the urge to carry on. I suppose being a woman it is also my prerogative to change my mind at the drop of a hat.
About a year ago I sent Graham on a mission to present my portfolio to various galleries. I will be honest I had tried previously on my own and lost my confidence due to the attitude and snotty remarks from some of the curators and managers of these galleries. I left their premises feeling rather inadequate and probably even a failure as an artist.
I am not going to generalise and say they are all like that, but there are many mean spirited snobs who are not artists themselves but pretend they are the experts and the only judges of what is good and bad art.
Fortunately Graham's faith in my ability never wavered and he took a day off work and did a 400 km round trip with my portfolio in hand presenting it at every Gallery he could find along the way. Sadly his car was wrecked on the way home when someone rear ended him at high speed and the euphoria of his success was somewhat dampened as a result.
He eventually arrived home having left a dozen or more of my paintings at various galleries on a consignment basis. Shortly after that we went to New Zealand for three months to see my daughter.
When we returned, the paintings at the galleries were all but forgotten, that is until two weeks ago when we decided to call some of the galleries to see if any had been sold. I must again be honest I did not have the courage to phone and see if any paintings had been sold. I just felt they might say they had tried to sell them and would I please come and remove them from their establishments as they were not good enough to sell.
To my amazement all but one had been sold and there were a few welcome cheques waiting for me. They had tried in vain to contact me while I was in New Zealand and eventually they gave up. What makes it even worse is that most of the painting were sold within a month or so of leaving them at the galleries and those galleries wanted more of my work.
The cheques were not earth shattering amounts, but the paintings did sell for way more than I ever imagined they would. This has restored my confidence in my ability and given my battered ego a much needed lift.
I suppose the lesson here is never give up, I cannot help thinking how many more might have been sold had I not bowed to the humiliating comments of a few pricks who don't have a kind word for a new kid on the block.
I am planning another trip to New Zealand in the next few weeks and will probably be away for three to six months. Most of my art is there and I am going to make a concerted effort to see if I can get some of my art into galleries over there. This time I will however leave a forwarding address and contact numbers with the local galleries who have taken more of my work.
12 comments:
Hi Caroline,
Artists draw inspiration from a number of sources and their art is an expression of their feelings.
I have seen only those you posted on this site but your art evokes old world charm, a kind of nostalgia for the past when things were simple and truth was constant,a time of discovery and innocence. And it is carefully crafted using a very difficult medium.
Artists, like writers, theater and film actors, have a kind of insecurity about being accepted and being given the value of what they have created; primarily because their feelings are part of what they create. Just as there are different forms of art and artists who execute these different forms, there are also different types of people who appreciate different types of art. Whatever we create as human beings, there will be human beings who will appreciate them too. And, these appreciations can multiply as others will also gravitate to different art forms.
The snobs you mentioned are focused on a particular style, but they are not the final judge, you are. And as long as you believe in yourself and this doesn't wane, you will always find the success you seek, perhaps in small quantities at first, but they will flow in a constant stream.
Congratulations! And I'm sure there will be many more kudos you will receive. Just think, you're a lot better than so many great artists, Van Gogh for one, who never sold a painting while he was alive, you have. Keep painting, and post it here. I'm an ardent fan. :-) --Durano, done!
What a wonderful artist you are I am so overwhelm by your work and so glad I visited your blog.
Liz
Hi Durano
I always look forward to your comments, words of wisdom and inspiration. It somehow makes bearing my soul and revealing my triumphs and insecurities worth while.
Whilst I acknowledge there are niche galleries that cater for specific works or artists, I can accept rejection if my work does not fit that niche.
I cannot however condone or abide derogeratory remarks just because the manager or curator has had a bad day at the office.
I also acknowledge that "the snobs" artistic skill could well lie in their ability to verbalise and extol the virtues of the various artworks they display.
I do take great pleasure in visiting art galleries and as you say " Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" but sometimes these curators just crack me up completely.
It also never ceases to amaze me what people buy and how much they pay for it.
I accept that rejection is a part of life, but it can be done in a diplomatic or humane way that does not destroy the confidence of the aspirant artist.
Hello Caroline, I like your paintings, especially of the little girl. They have a language of their own. Don't bother so much about your critiques, as long as your paintings are appreciated by people and continue buying them mean that they see beauty and wonder in them.
Congrats and may you sell more paintings..
Your art is beautiful and moving. I feel immersed in the colors. You are a talent, in my opinion.
I tend to change my mind as well in the middle of paintings or anything I create. I end up not liking what I'm currently doing and start thinking of other things I could make instead.
I really like this painting though. I love the pumpkins, makes me miss the fall!
Who can critique love and passion when it comes straight from the heart? I've always firmly believed that no one can really judge art, especially when it comes from the soul.
My heart began to leap with joy when I read your story!
Thanks for the inspiration today. :-)
simple..but very very beautiful..i like it
I like this one. :) The contrast is beautiful. Keep up the good work! I love following your blog.
I like the paintings on your blog...lovely.
Inspiring story! I haven't had the guts to get to the galleries myself! Good for you!
Your paintings are beautiful! And congratulations on the sales. I understand all about not wanting to approach galleries; I find it extremely difficult to approach people to sell my wares. Sales isn't everybody's strong point...
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