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The "Agony and the Ecstasy" of being an artist

The agony and the ecstasy of being an artist is the most frustrating thing that one can experience.  There are moments when everything is going so well in your art practice you think it will never end, only to have the floor fall from under your studio. It's moments like these when I wonder why do artists put up with this life? Surely, it's not about the money, because most of the time there is no money. Every artist I know wants to be successful both monetarily and artistically like any sane person in a profession looking to move up. But are we a little insane to keep going year after year enduring rejection after rejection and months of plenty and years of starvation? Because we[I] continue to do it, then my answer must be yes! Artists just don't create art... we are art! It's a part of us, it's who we are and because we suffer financially, we are fragile! And as a consequence of that fragility we are easily irritated [ maybe that just me] , never truly understood...

You have to have some doubts.

Preparing for a show is always full of stress and doubt. There's always a bit of uncertainty that surrounds the process. Packing and unpacking, hanging and labeling or should talk or just stand here. Will the work be accepted or will anyone even show up! Being an artist is more than the act of creating, that's why its called "Artwork"!  Last night, my solo show open in San Antonio and while it was greeted with cheer and smiles I can't wait to see and hear what people have to say or write about the new work. I took a lot of chances ... even though that's what I'm supposed to do with my work.  Now, that cynical monster (doubt) is in my studio. I'll kick his ass out later, but for today he's my sparring partner. Recently, I read an article where Jerry Saltz gave students ten tips on what it takes to live as an artist. Check it out the link below, he has some great advice. http://blog.sva.edu/2016/02/you-need-to-be-vampires-jerry-saltzs-10-ti...

Studio day... Chicken Gizzards?

Getting into the studio these days have been extremely hard, with trying to finish grant apps, work and just life, but I managed to get in for a few hours today. Having some problems with materials and how to used them. Spent way too many hours on that!  Ugh, so I decided to go old school and pick up a pencil and draw it out. Also, started on my consumption pieces.. stay tuned.