straight view of "pablo," abstract "crazy mind,"
& "francis francis espresso machine"
side view of restaurant and paintings
full view of restaurant as you walk in
"pablo," "crazy mind," "francis francis espresso machine,"
"harry potter," "pablo's bowl" & "pablo's bone"
"harry potter," "pablo's bowl," "pablo's bone" & "sting"
"sting"
when i was a senior in college, the art department gives their graduating seniors the opportunity (for extra credits prior to graduation) to host a senior exhibit. i, however, chose not to participate. i was too nervous and too insecure to get involved which ultimately could have turned into something so skittish and apprehensive, that i chose not to participate in fear of getting criticized and rejected. i had no idea how it would have turned out, so i didn't try. it's something i always regretted and wish i could have followed through with instead of running away from it.
do i regret it? absolutely. what did i have to lose? nothing but criticism from local professors and students. although i was a graphic design major, i always enjoyed painting as my "hobby." since i had never studied painting for a foundation course prior to my concentration, i was afraid my amateur status would come to fruition thus causing a public embarrassment for me and my work.
i was scared.
i've learned over the years, that unless you try something different, you won't be recognized for this divergent step in your career and/or your work. unfortunately, it took me 7 years since i graduated to realize this. although i am filled with regret for this decision, i now know in order to succeed, i have to give it the ole' "college try" or it won't take me any further in my career to feel confident and proud to be an artist. regardless of what the public may think of my work, it's a reflection of me and who i am when i paint and i love it.
it gives me satisfaction.
when this local restaurant advertised for local artists to showcase their work, i immediately dove in and went for it. i decided to go for my 'oyster' as i had nothing to lose, or gain if i didn't at least try. now i know, as i gaze at my paintings from afar upon walking into the restaurant that i'm excited and i'm proud of myself for going for it. because again, what did i have to lose? nothing, nothing at all.
perhaps this is the start of my career as i know it. whether it be graphic design or as a freelance painter, i know it needed to be done. at least for me and my psyche. although there's the chance that my work may never go farther than these four walls at a local hamburger joint, i can still feel proud that my work was displayed publicly and proudly.
i showed courage. i displayed my work, and i now have inner success. that says a lot.
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5 comments:
Hi, great to hear Im not on my own as a graphic designer, stacked out one minute, then months of nothing the next. Would you let me know how you do selling your paintings as Im insoired to do the same to keeps the bills at bay, plus I enjoy it too and tempted to do the same....
thanks
steve@bigsmiledesign.co.uk
(York in England UK)
Hi, great to hear Im not on my own as a graphic designer, stacked out one minute, then months of nothing the next. Would you let me know how you do selling your paintings as Im insoired to do the same to keeps the bills at bay, plus I enjoy it too and tempted to do the same....
thanks
steviesteve@talktalk.net
(York in England UK)
hi, thanks for your comment.
although these particular paintings that are displayed are not for sale, i would still consider selling if there was an acceptable offer. that being said, i had a few ppl calling me regarding the "pablo" painting but no offer as of yet.
as a freelance graphic designer, it's tough and since i haven't been inspired these past few years, i haven't been pursuing it either. if you have any advice, bring my way :)
Hi,
what I meant was and sorry to be blunt but straight to the point: how many paintings have you sold and in how long, just asking as a bit of research I suppose on my part to see if it is worth going back into traditional art sales as a side line?
on another note here's some inspiration as it inspired me. My mum works on a shop floor with a girl that was at art college for a year and never used the skill as an income. Like myself and you, she decided to have a go at doing a daft pen and ink drawing called the man with a crocodile leg (thats all the simple drawing was!!)! and the BW drawing was that simple! she did 50 quality printouts to sell as limited editions .e.1/50...2/50 etc, then stood with them at one of these art shows where people can freely drop in to have a look, sold half of them in the day, she made over £2,200 less commission to the show letting her do it. It really suprised her that it worked out!...
Of course you cant make that money day in day out as there isnt art shows going on everyday, but food for thought!! hope this story helps which is why I'm wondering if its a way to build a name up and make some extra cash??!
thanks
steve
i would love to do that as well. i think this show was limiting to me because at the time, i wasn't willing to sell any of these paintings. in retrospect, i regret it. i figured if anybody was willing to buy them, i could just paint more. they're all hung in my loft atm and the fun of selling them, would have been to paint more.
live and learn.
and you're right, i live in a small college town and as a result, there aren't many—if at all—art shows. maybe at our local university art department, but that's it.
thanks for commenting.
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