This hangs up in our studio…always makes me smile
Thanks for all the comments, which now means I know the source of this brilliant list! Thanks Kerri, your list seems to ring true with a lot of people!
http://www.kerismith.com/blog/how-to-feel-miserable-as-an-artist/
Couldn’t agree more, do any of these and you’ll feel awful as an artist, can’t have that.
I know many professional artists who will not keep their own work in view in their homes, “All I see are the flaws”, they say. So sad…so I raid the dumpster on regular basis…lol
I think as an artist, its important to NOT do these things for many reasons. But mostly it can affect your creativity and confidence- two things ingredients to a blossoming artist
I learn’t about not looking at other artists work and comparing, its soul destroying to think that way. An artist should ONLY be inspired and be driven by their passions, and ideas that keep them alive.
So true!
I agree. You need to look at other artists for inspiration and a drive to keep you going…if you get bogged down in the “what they do is better than mine” you’ll eventually stop making work.
Yeah, it’s finding that balance between being inspired and being aware, to believing you have to compete with others. To a pint you have to, to be noticed, be positive, believe and you’ll be the best artist you can be.
Thanks for the share. I’m good at feeling miserable as an artist.
Funny
Thanks for the share.
In fact, liked it so much I shared it on twitter with a link to your blog. Hope that’s ok
Thanks
Succinct! I might even get round to hanging up in my ‘space’ too:)
Truth!
Yep, that’s me alright. I scored a 5 out of 10, guilty with having committed numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 10.
1, 5 & 10 are my downfalls… 10 especially!
Underline any? How about highlighting the entire list and pinning it to my forehead! LOL
True and funny
Thanks for sharing.
I like ‘em.
I followed those same 10 guidelines, and felt miserable as a cartoonist, but it was more fun !!
True !!
Perfect! I sent to my son
So true and applicable to life . . . and art. Thanks.
Reblogged this on BIG DOT and commented:
Another one of the lists I so love…
Great post
It’s a very good list. And those things are valid for most people not only artist!
Reblogged this on WordPress Report.
I LOVE THIS!
I became a full-time freelance writer in October of last year. My home office has a nice wall just LOOKING for a sign like this. I think I’ll spend some time transcribing and printing this out today, if it’s OK with you…
Transcribe & print away
I’m hanging this up by my workspace as well (I definitely need the reminder regarding multiple items on this list!)
Thanks very much for posting!
well, there should have been another line under the title, ‘how to feel miserable as an artist but great at the end of the months when paying your bills’
I agree with that anyway, my brother is an artist too!
Great list! Somewhere I would add an item about feeling guilty for spending time on “your” art, when there’s so much else you could/”should” be doing. That is, seeing it as a personal indulgence, rather than work you really need to do.
I’m deeply grateful to a prayer circle that one summer liberated me to set aside time to work on my poetry and fiction. The other members pointed out that my writing is a spiritual gift to exercise and follow, regardless of consequences. In that way, it, too, has become prayer. Oh, happy day!
(The rejection slips, meanwhile, will keep me humble.)
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Oh, just what I needed to see today…
I predict I will now waste half the afternoon thinking of things I might add to that list. But then prevarication has always been my strong point.
Love it. I’m pursuing the career of journalism, therefore that list is some thing that will always be on my mind. Hahah “write only what your client/publisher/editor/boss asks!” ahhhh I can already imagine the headache. Thanks for the lovely post. I’ll try to stand out in the crowd…and never ever compare myself to other writers…ok I was kidding on that one. Cheers. Swing by my blog if you’d like. I love bowing to societal pressures
Too true! I remember the years of doing a painting, or a piece of furniture according to the boss’s direction, then watching her sign her name to it…
it’s easy to feel miserable as an artist, lol. Some of the most miserable ones produce the greatest work. That being said, it can’t be good for one’s health.
Reblogged this on DO YOU HAVE THE SAUCE? and commented:
I’m so glad I came across this today!
Nice to see this list again, from Keri Smith, truer words were never spoken, I mean listed! Link to Keri’s page:
http://www.kerismith.com/blog/how-to-feel-miserable-as-an-artist/
Thanks for sharing the source. I’ve now posted it in the blog. My studio buddy stuck it up in her space a few months ago and I didn’t know where she got it from. Now I do. Thank you!
Always a good list.
The money related ones don’t really apply to me as I’m ‘just’ a hobby artist as it’s my main pastime (well apart from gaming). But still always a good reminder to have.
Reblogged this on Time Launch and commented:
I don’t re-blog much; at all actualy.
It seemed to fit though.
i’m hunted/guilty/possessed/ etc, by number # 10. i’ve been for my entire life. The rest of items, not my problem, sorry, please don’t hate me
Had to share this on my facebook page, I thought it to be funny and said that none of it applies except for # 1 and # 2 but adding friends along with family.
Ugh. TOTALLY agree with that posted sign you have there about being an artist. Amazing how much artists are truly alike. I LOVE IT. Thank you for posting it. I’m putting you on my favorites list. Keep pushing.
Haha. So true.
painfully true
This applies to the world of science as well
Congratulations on getting Freshly Pressed!
Cross out artist, insert “human”.
hahaha! That made me laugh, so true!
Right on! I had to save this list!
It is indeed a great list. Thanks for posting it – it’s good to be reminded of these things!
)
As I didn’t see its originator, Keri Smith, credited here (apologies if I’ve missed that) I thought I’d leave a link to her site for anyone interested in any of her other gems (and there are plenty
http://www.kerismith.com/blog/how-to-feel-miserable-as-an-artist/
Thanks for posting where this originally came from! My studio buddy stuck it up in her space a few months ago but I had no idea where it came from. Happy days! Thank you
Very true! I’m definitely hanging this on my wall as a reminder! The comparison one is a tough one to avoid
Well stated! If I had a dime for everytime I told someone I left a stable, well- paying career behind to finally pursue my art…….well, I’d be a rich chick but still happily pursuing my art.
This is all such good advice (of what not to do!), particularly expecting one’s family to cheer one on. Chances are, they won’t get it, and will let you down. And why wouldn’t they? you’re the artist, not them.
This is a perfect blog post! I did one sort of like this the other day, it would appear we artists are all feeling the same strain. Congrats on being freshly pressed it was well deserved!
Thanks I can’t take credit but it is a brilliant list. Check out the source Kerri here http://www.kerismith.com/blog/how-to-feel-miserable-as-an-artist/
Reblogged this on Sarah Forshaw's Blog and commented:
Wonderful blog post!
Number 1 would be it for me. When my artwork got critiqued in class I always hated it when the teacher would ask everyone to talk about the piece they liked. Mine was mostly picked last or not talked about at all which always made me look at others art and question “what’s wrong with mine, or is my work really no good?”
Number 9 brings back memories of art school in a good way. My work was (and still is) always dark oriented and one of my teachers told me that if I wanted a career in art it would be located overseas or in California. So I guess that meant that most of the art focused companies in the US are a bunch of “happy, kiss your ass and make it better” types? Heck, I would love to live and work overseas!!
I feel like we all fall into these traps. It is had to straddle the line of making a living and staying true to oneself. I like your idea of keeping it on the wall to remind yourself why you work. I know I have a bad habit of creating unachievable goals in an unachievable time frame.
Oh man, I am guilty of all of these things, but never all at once, so that keeps me from becoming too miserable. Also, about #2 and #8 on the list- my mom is an artist too, and over the years we have been able to critique each others’ work without disowning each other afterward. Most artists and writers I know will NEVER show their work to their families, so I’m grateful that I have a supportive one.
Reblogged this on CAPS0ne – NRG.
OH my gosh…that really does capture it…how perfect. As a 25 yr hack, I’ve beenthere/donethat with each line. Nice to be able to laugh about it now (nervously).
Reblogged this on JesseOtts and commented:
this is awesome!
We love it, thank you!!
Funny, my mother just commented on how she’s disappointed in some of my public writing and I was like “Oh well.” Usually it would be a blow, but right now it just is what it is: someone’s opinion. You have to listen to what’s inside of YOU.
Agreed.. on each point.. when I play music.. even alone in my studio.. I must put on hold.. any thought of competition.. what one may or may not think.. perhaps a split second thought of an old friend laughing in mutual joy.. but for the most part.. let the artist out.. to create.. Peace Tony
How true! I am guilty…
Aren’t we all…
Amen!
S. Thomas Summers
Author of Private Hercules McGraw: Poems of the American Civil War
I might add one:
11) Imagine that there is a such thing as “making it,” and that once you’ve accomplished it, you won’t have to keep working so damn hard.
This is not only How to Feel Miserable As an Artist, but also How to Lose Motivation and Fail As an Artist.
Reblogged this on Artis – photo art passion / The Blog and commented:
I should have it hanging next to where I do all my art work 
As a reminder of what NOT to do…
Great post I came across. Love this list
Thanks for this excellent post! Love this list. Exactly what I needed to see
THANK YOU FOR THIS LIST. I THINK SOMETIMES SOME PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY THINK THAT THEY ARE ARTISTS FEEL JUSTIFIED TO FEEL AND BE MISERABLE BECAUSE EVERYONE KNOWS THAT TO BE A GOOD ARTIST, ONE MUST SUFFER. THUS TH EQUATION I IS: MISERY/SUFFERING = A GOOD ARTIST.
OOPS ERROR, ERROR : – THE EQUATION IS:
Great post!! Art is about fun, passion and freedom!! Do your work and enjoy it!
spot on!!! Thanks for posting. Really made my day.
When I saw the title of this post, my first reaction was, “who needs instructions?” lol But, it did lure me to read and I love it! We all feel a bit insecure every now and then but it should not be a natural condition!
On our first day of classes at the Corcoran in the ancient, olden days our teacher addressed the class with:
“Never loose your passion for art, or you’ll be miserable working 40 hour weeks at McDonald’s!” we laughed but you could feel that uncomfortable squirm.
I’ll remember #9 the next time someone asks the difference between graphic design and art…
That’s made me miserable! Success!!
It’s so true, not a day goes by where I say -no more! I’m not even going to try being an artist anymore….then I see the brushes, or cadmium red or a bird, or a blog like yours. Cheers
Mmmm this isn’t stereotypical at all.
I never knew the origins of this either. Glad to see it properly credited.
Great post, Emma. Thanks for sharing! Perspective is often tough to keep.
Perspective is often tough to keep. I always aim to try and make small achievable goals…but then sometimes I forget this and become guilty of #10
a pretty cool reminder of what i should be thinking about everyday when I get up too.
thanks for sharing.
like our post,.. sob.
Love the list : D.. it is so true
A beautiful little list … this and one by the Pop-era artist Sister Corita … are my favorite ones to post for my students! Thanks for letting us all see it again. Come to think of it, I’ll Tweet it and maybe even Re-blog it too.
John
Hi Emma, thanks for this post.
It resonates alright. The fear of judgement and failure I had when I first ditched my ‘proper’ career to become a ‘creative’ almost overwhelmed me. The most crucial piece of advice I’ve had is this: the end result is not as important as the process of trying to achieve it. Beating your uncertainty is the real success. When I realised I did have enough strength to deal with the pressure, the fear element disappeared and confidence took its place.
A few of my posts are also related to this subject.
Amaya
Is it working?
Funny you posted this. I was feeling miserable as an artist. lol. It made me think of the opposite of this, the Artists Creed.
Just googled the Artist Creed. I’ve not come across that list before. I have visions of a self-help group of miserable artists sitting in a circle chanting away. “I believe….”
Ironically there is a 12 step group for artists called Artists Anonymous. I think the meetings are only in densely populated places where there are a lot of artists, like NYC.
The Artists Creed is used a lot by art therapists and for self-help.
Sounds like a title of a song by The Smiths…..
Reblogged this on A Fork Please?.
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I’m guilty of all of these things. This list will motivate me to change my ways.
works in many fields …my family can’t stand my singing- at choir they loved it!
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