My best friend sent me this quotation recently: A very good career choice would be to gravitate toward those activities and to embrace those desires that harmonize with your core intentions, which are freedom and growth—and joy. Make a "career" of living a happy life rather than trying to find work that will produce enough income that you can do things with your money that will then make you happy. When feeling happy is of paramount importance to you—and what you do "for a living" makes you happy—you have found the best of all combinations.
–Abraham - Hicks Excerpted from the book, "Money and the Law of Attraction”
I was struck by how vividly it relates to the struggles of the professional artist, and to a conversation prevalent in most of my workshops.
A common denominator among many of my students is that they want to be really good, really fast. This frustrates them as rarely does that happen in any field, especially if consistency is not their practice. I know first hand what it’s like to be frustrated, nay, desperate to get better.
When I left my last job to paint full time, I still needed to make a living. I struggled with my abilities at first but eventually got better and had some success in galleries. Before long, I found myself painting what I was asked to paint by my clients and gallery owners. It was flattering that they liked my work, but then I found myself lacking the time for the exploration necessary to grow. The quotation really resonates with me and inspires me to feed my creative soul above all else. I know now that staying true to my personal vision is the first step to achieving success artistically and eventually monetarily.
To all those with similar struggles in their growth process I offer this: I encourage giving yourself to the process; to view each painting as an exploration to the next. If something doesn’t work, move on. If you have a moment of brilliance, revel in it, and then bring that success into the next painting. Just keep painting. [gdl_gallery title="law_of_attraction" width="250" height="195" ] These are 2 paintings I completed on location, solely for exploration and delight.