The Diary of an Artist of No Repute
Yup, that’s me. I’m an artist of no repute. Once I had a kind of reputation when I worked for many years as a graphic artist. People knew me and I got paid for making art, though the art was constrained in size and scope by the written word it was meant to ‘illustrate’. I’ve moved on now that a lot of my financial responsibilities have lessened. I feel so lucky to have had the work life I did—all that freedom! But it’s time to swim in deeper, colder water.
When I started this blog I thought I might use it to promote my work. Mostly I spend my time writing but art is in my blood too, something I’ve done daily since childhood. I never intended to be a ‘fine’ artist. Art has always been simply a means to express myself and to connect with the mystery of being here, to tell stories even. I love doing it and if I’m away from serious efforts for a few months, as I sometimes am, I begin to miss it in a way that causes me to throw other things aside and begin again. The same is true of writing. I must do both, just who I am.
I knew little of the blogosphere when I began here. I don’t read many blogs and so don’t build a lot of readership though I love to find other artists out there. I hope more will begin to discuss their work, to bleat and chat online about their own art journeys because we don’t see those journeys in the work itself. And I’m kind of curious—is it just me? And, well, there are so many different kinds of art. I wonder sometimes what people are thinking. Just curious, you know?
Now I’ve been at this a year I see my wee blog is something that gives me pleasure for the connections it sometimes creates and for the ways it enables me to think on the page. It’s like holding my thoughts up to a mirror. I see them a little more clearly and get to quicken my step a bit.
Here’s what has changed in this last year for me as an artist—
—I began teaching drawing to a wondrous group of women on Saturday mornings. It has made me think about the artistic process in a more conscious way and there is an amazing creative synergy working with other people. We’ve all grown as artists.
—I started painting. Just because I felt inspired to. Small things that are getting larger. Without ambition but for all the reasons I have always made art—for the ongoing exploration of what is possible.
—I continue writing because it calls me like my mother. ‘Get in here!’ I write things that make me laugh. I show up with devotion.
—I see there is a need for a reputation! Yes. Yes, I do. The work is piling up and the next art is the one where I discover the way to bring it into the world again, with the bucks.
So, that is what I’ll explore here now. It’s kind of important to all artists even those of us who aren’t trying to be ‘big show’ artists. But I’m not trying to be small either. I’m just doing what I do and I’m curious what that means.
Last year I wrote a lot here about my art class. This year I’ll fold that into my own art story here. What I do with the art class opens up my own creative path. I’m not really teaching them anything, just sharing how it is with me making art and they are sharing with me—their frustrations, their pleasures, their explorations. We’re expanding together like laughing gas and the results are showing up in my work. The Tao says everything has an ebb and a flow. This is the flow.
October 2nd, 2007 at 6:38 pm
mdf, If you can,just forget about the bucks. And don’t worry about whether or not you’re a fine artist, writer, illustrator, designer, teacher or all of the above. That’s a lot to keep track of. Keep at it, your work is beautiful (the ‘B’-word) so it’ll take awhile before the $$$ start to manifest.
Nurture whatever market you’ve got and watch it grow. You’ll be amazed. God speed.
October 2nd, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Thanks, mdf. Needed to hear that. Not at the market yet, have been out of it for a couple of years now. Very strange after so long in the fray, but in again, soon. Just doing the work, which is wondrous, indeed.
October 3rd, 2007 at 4:38 pm
I love the title of this post. Love it. It’s exactly how I feel. And in many ways I’ve sort of nurtured and encouraged it because there are so many aspects of the “AHT world” that drive me crazy. One of the wonderful things about the blog world is that you realize how many people like yourself are out there. Maybe we start our own movement. Artists who love to do art. Art for art’s sake. Artists of no repute! Of course it’s all been done and if you make a movement you are no longer an artist of no repute! But it’s all fun….and isn’t that what it’s all about??? Thanks for a smile this morning. We’re all finding our ways and personally, the journey is a lot of fun and I’m learning oh so much….aren’t you?
October 3rd, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Glad you love it, Mary. I think it’s really funny! And, I agree, it is one great journey. Great to be able to do the art and great to see what can be done once we’ve made it and to explore even how to bring those two things together. I’m not very interested in the art world but am really interested in art as energy and how to get it out there in new ways….to the people! Not just rich people but everyone! I think the digital world is offering up radical new avenues. I want to explore that anyway. And, yes, the old brain is ticking over!!
Tick, tick, tick….
October 9th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
I’ve been musing about what you wrote for a while, Cathy. Making art is what we do, who we are. It’s about the journey rather than the destination, about the process rather than “product.” About the content of our lives– the dash between our date of birth and the date we depart this earth. It about how we see the world and how we express it. It’s an internal thing rather than an external one, although the piece we create is the external manifestation of the internal self. At that moment in time, a synthesis of all of the experiences of our lives.
Where does our reputation come into play? In the world where we are recognized for that which we make? So who are we today? Does this make any sense?
October 9th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Hi Debra! For me reputation is all about getting the work out into the world. I always see the work going out and energy coming back. It’s a big adventure!
October 11th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
mdf, just went to your other site. NICE! I’ve always been in awe of your gift for colour and simplicity. Can you afford to make a silk screen edition? I haven’t a clue how much it costs but wow…just think of it!
We’re beginning to hunker down for the winter this side. We don’t get vibrant Falls. We get ONE gale. Then that’s it. No leaves anywhere.
I’m on Tresco for a week, painting. I’ve broken through to a new style which is much more open I’ll send you pics later.
Stir the energy,
kx
October 11th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Thanks! I’m going to be making a signed and numbered limited edition of giclee prints, archival ink on archival paper. I’ve already got places lined up to sell them. I love the idea of prints because one painting can find many homes! Everything gets photographed at the end of this month.
Fall is just creeping in here but hardly a sign of the leaves changing. It’s been very warm but now I have a sweater on!
Have a great week. I really look forward to seeing your new work. Know it will be beautiful and interesting—as always.
Stirring, and sending love.
C