Monday, January 28, 2013

Validation

Things are getting pretty exciting!  In the last few weeks I have started uploading videos on YouTube and have had a couple of really key meetings related to my work.  I have nearly 10,000 blog views and over 2,700 video views.  I have over 200 fellow art souls following and/or subscribing.  all I can say is...WOW!  I am humbled and thrilled.

When I was recently asked, "What do you want?"--I found myself explaining that for me it is not about the money.  Sure, who wouldn't want a steady flow of cash to fund art supplies?  But that is not what really drives me.  More than anything, I think I want validation.  I want to see my work hanging in a coffee shop, in an art show, in a gallery, etc.  I want other artists's to refer to me as an artist.

Kind of silly since I'm always on my soap box preaching to others "You ARE an artist!"  And really we ARE all artists.  But now I want people who aren't being nice and who are not obligated to like my stuff to consider me one.

I recently experienced my first critic.  Some random person made a negative comment about my work on a Facebook page.  And ya know what?!?!?  That negative comment VALIDATED me as an artist!  It made me feel like I have arrived and reminded me of the Andy Warhol quote about making art and while others are deciding if its good or not to just make more art.  I am making a lot more art these days!

I am also starting down the path of the business side of the arts.  I have a domain name and a website under development and I just purchased my first set of artist's post cards.  It says I'm an artist, right there in print.  So that MUST make it official.  :)  Thank you for being a part of my journey.  And remember to thank the critics.  They validate you too!  Maybe even more than your family and friends.





4 comments:

  1. Felicia, I'm still SO thrilled for you! You have been a real inspiration to me since I joined BAJ (although we work very differently, your attitude and enthusiasm and passion are infectious and encouraging!) and this next step only makes this more true! I love your artist cards, and can't wait to hear all the places your work's hanging and how it's all going...keep us posted and - most importantly - keep enjoying it!xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. I, too, am just thrilled for you and for your artful journey to today. I am a relatively new follower, but definitely considered you already an artist when I joined! Only YOU weren't sure...the rest of us here are sure! Best of luck!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You know, I just had a similar conversation the other day, I HAVE to make art, I think any artist does wether they are career artists or hobby artists. I want to share "that" feeling when I made that art, but not everyone can feel it.I didnt realize that I too, want the same thing....validation....I dont care about the money like you said, it would be nice to make enough to get more supplies, but the money is not the reason. Thanks for sharing this, i dont think i would have realized it otherwise! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you all for your kind words. This is a very exciting time for me and I'm thankful to have such a cheering section!

    ReplyDelete