I’m Ready
Yesterday one of my good friends, Kathy, posted an excellent blog about Being Ready to Show. It caused me to really think about where I’m at in my artistic journey and I ended up typing quite a windy comment. This comment was so well received I thought I’d share it here. I hope you can take away some nuggets of encouragement and entertainment.
Starting in late 2002 I began painting again for no other reason than to maintain my sanity. I started painting my masks because they were fun. For the next 5 years I would paint after work and on weekends when I “felt like it” and managed to create about 8 finished paintings a year. I only displayed them in my home and in my office at work. In late 2007 I was invited to display my work in a one-night-only solo exhibit in one of the lounges of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino here in Vegas. The invitation came from someone I used to work with who had seen some of my paintings in my office. I guess the outlet came when the work was ready.
That invitation and exhibition set me on the path I’m staggering along today. After seeing my works hanging in the show and having others react to them I decided I needed to commit more to this thing I love. So, in early 2008 I committed to painting EVERY night and trying to get my work into juried shows. By the end of ‘08 I had painted 41 canvasses for the year and been accepted into 3 juried shows – but I had also been rejected by 14.
In 2009 I committed to painting even more and pushing even harder to get my work “out there”. I just finished my 50th canvas for the year and have had 15 pieces accepted into juried shows, 1 of which is still hanging at the FCCA in Fredericksburg, VA. However, I also received 28 rejection letters during this time – I will NOT let this stop me. The final quarter of 2009 found me unemployed, but with a strong desire to find a way to “make it” as an artist.
One massive hurdle I have still not negotiated but am working diligently to overcome is a major sale. I would love to see one of my larger paintings find a new home.
I’m ready, my work is ready, but is the world ready for me? Watch out 2010, this IS the year of the Don!
And on that note, I leave you with my most recent painting, completed on this, the first day of the Year of the Don. I hope you enjoy!
A New Day – 5″x4″ – Acrylic on canvas – Completed 1-1-10
©2010, Don Michael, Jr.
Hi Don, I’m so glad you posted your comments here for your readers to view. What you’ve shared with us is personal, meaningful, and instructive. I’m inspired by your determination which can only lead to success! I’m thinking way back to the first time I saw your paintings on ArtScuttlebutt. I was enthralled and thought to myself, “now here’s an artist who’s represented by many galleries and I’ll bet his work is flying off the walls!” So, imagine my surprise when I found that you hadn’t yet taken that step. There’s no good reason why your work shouldn’t receive national and international recognition. Today’s post is yet another good example of why this is so. The painting might be very small, but the execution is huge! You had to make many expert decisions to pull this off, and the difference between the two eyes is an innovation that I like. Your gestural style is enhanced by the textures you create with the palette knife, and I love the mystery infused into each work. Great way to start the New Year
What a great post Don! I know one’s attitude has a lot to do with success. You certainly are on the right path. It is encouraging for me to hear (thanks to your honesty and candor) that along with the numerous acceptances to juried shows, you’ve had more rejections. I need to adopt that viewpoint of focusing on the positive and get off my butt and back painting. Thanks!
Kathy… Once again you do me such kindness with your wonderful encouragement and compliments. I value our continued correspondence more than you can ever imagine. Thank you.
Sheila… Thank you. I had posted this in hopes that someone would be encouraged. I’m glad it helped you to look at this thing we love to do a little differently. Good Luck and Happy Creating!
-Don
Thank you so much for sharing this with us Don. You truly are an inspiration and this post has really struck home with me. Your shear determination and talent, along with the focus to do what you love. Awesome. This has helped to encourage me a great deal…just like the Frank Sinatra song about that little ant who has high hopes to move that rubber tree plant.
Thank you Don. I look forward to the “Year of Don!”
This post makes me wonder: Is there a painter’s/graphic artist’s version of “Heinlein’s Rules for Writers”?
Heinlein’s Rules
1. You must write.
2. You must finish what you write.
3. You must refrain from rewriting, except to editorial order.
4. You must put the work on the market.
5. You must keep the work on the market until it is sold.
I can see some possible parallels. I’m not sure how they would be worded, though.
This is my year for following those rules in my writing.
Good luck to both of us. =)
-David
Hi Don, it’s a privalige to be in your year! 50 canvases a year is really impressive. You just have to have a big solo exhibition this year to show them all off!
Kathleen… You do me a great honor. It’s my pleasure to share my year with you.
“…He’s got high apple pi-i-ie-in-the-sk-y-y hopes…”.
David… I’ve heard a LOT of rules over the years and I think you know me well enough to know that I usually do everything I can to break them.
I accept your wishes of luck and return them whole-heartedly!
Mark… Welcome to my year, it’s a privilege to share it with you. I like your idea and will do everything in my power to bring it to fruition.
-Don
Looks like a mask made of shells; but his right eye is definitely on the future. The red? He’s married or he’s been injured but nothing can stop him? I really like this one; cheers to the year of the Don!
Don, I’m right there with you on the sanity thing; there’s no way I could survive my day job if i didn’t make art. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. Don’t worry about rejections; I read somewhere that if you get into about 1/4 to 1/3 of the shows you apply for, that’s pretty good. At one time, I thought about wallpapering my studio with rejection notices- seriously! Perseverance and attitude, my friend, are the keys to success, and you’ve got both!
I like how the mask emanates strength in facing a new year, and yet, although the red area on the forehead looks like a scar, it is in the shape of a heart…to me to show that with pain comes strength when you prevail, and you must always lead with your heart in all you do, even if you expose yourself to pain.
Hallie… Thank you, so much! Here’s to the future!
Sharmon… Thank you for your encouraging words. I’m glad you can relate and use your art to take the edge off. I actually considered the wallpapering idea for a minute last year and then decided I’d be giving the rejections too much credence…
Carla… WOW!!! Your description is fantastic! Thank you. I had not noticed the heart shape. Cool!!!
-Don