December 5, 2005
No one can succeed on his or her own. If
you, like me, would rather be alone in your studio or office to work on
your genius, think again.
You cannot make huge strides in your
career if you keep to yourself. Period. The sooner you realize that
you need the help of others--especially other artists--the sooner you
can begin reaching your dreams.
The holidays are a time of gathering and giving. Friends. Family. Yet,
not everyone enjoys such close ties, which makes this time of year
especially lonely. It's the perfect time of year to pass on this
reminder: Giving leads to greater rewards.
I am amazed by the number of selfish, petty
artists out there--those who closely guard their so-called secrets of
success for fear others will copy or benefit too much from the
knowledge. It goes against everything that makes art, well, art and
differentiates our discipline from all other aspects of life. Art is
about mind, body, AND soul. I should say, "and ESPECIALLY soul." What a
withered soul we would have if we didn't nurture the soul through
giving. By extension, what weak, withered art we would have if we
didn't nurture it through giving and sharing.
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"I
have found that among its other benefits, giving
liberates the soul of the giver."
--Maya
Angelou |
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Don't forget where you came from. Someone
probably helped you along the way by teaching you a secret or two. They
did so willingly and selflessly--not just for your benefit, but for the
benefit of all artists and for art itself.
Artists need other artists. Throughout
history, artists have enjoyed tremendous support from each other. This
support manifests itself in numerous ways, especially emotional,
financial, and creative support.
Salons, like those of Gertrude Stein or
the Stettheimer sisters, were incubators for the likes of Pablo Picasso
and Marcel Duchamp. Poets, writers, musicians, philosophers and even
scientists shared time with the common goal of advancing ideas and
culture. I started the Art
Biz Connection with similar goals.
Sure, there will always be people who will bleed you for everything you
have. Know that they will always receive their just rewards. Most
artists, however, are loving, generous people. It's time to stop
thinking that the world is out to get you.
"Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of
us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet
sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the
standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we
do know: That we are here for the sake of others...for
the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are
connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I
realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon
the labors of people, both living and dead, and how
earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return
as much as I have received." --Albert
Einstein
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