Thursday, September 27, 2012

How to be miserable

Linda Kline is a Senior Instructor for PMC Connection.  I've taken two classes from her, one on bezel setting in metal clay and an earring extravaganza class (which is where my two new rings were made.)

Awhile back she posted a listing on Facebook about "How to be miserable as an Artist." (Or, what not to do!  Underline any that currently apply.)

I thought it was really appropriate and wanted to share.

1.  Constantly compare yourself to other artists.
2.  Talk to your family about what you do and expect them to cheer you on.
3.  Base the success of your entire career on one project.
4.  Stick with what you know.
5.  Undervalue your expertise.
6.  Let money dictate what you do.
7.  Bow to societal pressures.
8.  Only do work that your family would love.
9.  Do whatever the client/customer/gallery owner asks
10.  Set unachievable/overwhelming goals to be accomplished by tomorrow.

Unfortunately there are several that I could underline and need to work on.  Thirty five years of teaching are hard to let go.  Thinking of myself as an artist does not come naturally..... as a teacher no problem.

Probably the best way to work it out is to get into the studio (on a daily basis which I have not been doing and start doing something....... anything!)

Also,  here is a pair of white bronze earrings (that I thought looked like a tin can) with added Gilder's Paste.  Finally used the paste on something!








2 comments:

Anonymous said...

On the one hand, myself, I've always found it easier to promote "what I do" than to do that with "who I am."

On the other, however, I also don't feel I need to limit myself to just one way of describing myself: I'm happiest when I think of myself as both an artist and a teacher (or, teacher and artist: no prioritization is intended by the ordering).

Finally, how many "colors" of gilder's paste did you use on those white bronze earrings? I do like the results.

Alice Walkowski said...

Two colors of paste were used, copper and antique gold.