I took this photograph at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. The Steins Collect show is a “must see” (through September 6th) if you enjoy the work of Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. A movie that shows at noon most days and runs 52 minutes documents the endearing friendship between the two artists.
5 Tips for Making a Living as an Artist
Recently I heard a panel of five artists each share five tips on making a living as an artist. Here’s my distillation, my favorite five after going over 25:
1) Realize you are a brand and people buy into how you present yourself.
2) Making art is a daily practice so always be making something. Especially something that means a lot to you.
3) Don’t get discouraged by the noes. You’ll learn from each one.
4) Have integrity. This is perhaps the most important quality.
5) Find your place, your voice. Don’t even think about the “Art World” when you make your art.
What’s in Your Bag of Tools?
Isn’t it strange
That princes and kings,
And clowns that caper
In sawdust rings,
And common people
Like you and me
Are builders for eternity?
Each is given
A bag of tools,
A shapeless mass,
A book of rules.
And each must make –
Ere life is flown
A stumbling block
Or a steppingstone
The poem, A Bag of Tools, written by R. L. Sharpe (1870-1950), is timeless. Here we are, with perhaps more tools than ever before. Are our tools a stumbling block or stepping stone? What are your book rules?
Here’s actress Maggie Smith reciting Sharpe’s poem. Video provided by UBS (Union Bank of Switzerland).
A Few Guidelines for Forming a Critique Group
1. Clarify what the group is and is not. It is for critiquing each other’s work. It is not a therapy group and it is not a business group.
2. Use a timer for critiquing sessions so each person gets equal time.
3. Make group participation a requirement. Bring food if everyone is supposed to bring food, help with hanging the group’s shows, etc.
4. The group decides how many absences within a given time period is unacceptable. For example, 4 absences in six months means you will receive a “bye-bye” email.
5. At the first meeting have all agree that each is ok with receiving a “bye-bye” email.
“You have to make sacrifices for community and support – and for any kind of relationship,” said Elliott.