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I’m finding a rhythm with this writing that works for me and hopefully it’s working for you too. If it’s helpful, here’s how I plan out the month: The first post of the month will always be an update on my own studio practice, musings on what I’ve been thinking about, stuff I’ve seen that’s relevant to my own practice; the second week of the month I’ll post a review of an art exhibition I’ve seen or an art book I’ve read; the third (and fourth if there’s an extra week in the month) I’ll write about a topic that’s relevant to all artists or something that’s happening in the art world, and the final post of the month will be an edition of the Beyond Frida series, highlighting the work of artist women beyond the well-known names. Sound good?
Last month I spent hours in my “thinking chair” gazing at my work and wondering whether I was making the best work of my career or the worst. It’s sometimes hard to tell, isn’t it? There’s a fine line between genius and madness so *they* say and I feel I’m on a tightrope between the two of them when I’m in the studio, although “genius” is a wild exaggeration, “just above mediocre” might be a better description. So long as I’m not mediocre. Nobody wants to make mediocre art.
For me, the only measure of a piece of work is whether I can stand back and confidently say: “Yes, that’s me, that’s my work.” And maybe also, “Yes, I said everything I want to say.” Sounds easy but I’ve made a surprising number of pieces that look like somebody else’s work (we all have, it’s okay) and a few that say absolutely nothing. My work has always been strong conceptually (I’m a project based artist) but I’ve often struggled to bring my skills up to the level needed to communicate in the way I want to. I got there with my textile work and then decided to start painting!
This instagram post by art critic Jerry Salz caught my eye last month:
I know a lot of galleries that would go out of business if artists DID stop making Abstract Expressionist work! It’s what a lot of collectors enjoy and want in their homes. What do you think? Good advice or unnecessary intrusion? Btw I’ll be reviewing Jerry Saltz’s book next month.
Winter is the season when I’m most likely to take a class or sign up for an online course. After I’ve done my autumn evaluation exercise (read about that in my previous column here), I think about the gaps between what I accomplished last year and where I want to go in the next year. I’m then able to spot what knowledge or skills I need to acquire to bridge the gap, which then informs my choice of class/course. This winter I attended Marlee Grace’s The Architecture of Book Writing class (excellent) because I am determined to create a book that’s at least one level up from a zine, and I’m currently following Misty Mawn’s Take 30 With A Twist as a way of improving my portraiture (a marathon of a course, so much great content!) I love online learning, although I have a tendency to over-commit and wind up with a year’s worth of classes to watch, but I am indebted to all the artists who share their wisdom with me through the magic of the web. Strategic learning is something that can quickly level up your art practice and I find that after a winter of education I’m ready to bunny-bounce into spring with new ideas and improved skills.
I’ve started to make a list of tentative goals for 2023. Writing goals is a bit like writing a shopping list: I make a careful list, checking all the cupboards for what’s lacking, but then forget to take the list with me and amble around the grocery store grabbing whatever looks appetizing. And so it is with business planning: I write my plan, think “Great, job done!”, pop it in a drawer and then gambol through the year completely ignoring the targets I’ve set myself. It helps if I see my goals more as intentions than absolutes: I won’t be devastated if I don’t achieve them but it’s helpful to drop little breadcrumbs for myself to follow.
Write and publish a book - any book, just get it done, it’s time
Start a podcast or some kind of audio thing
Stop reaching for paper all the time and work on canvas more
Apply to a minimum of 3 exhibitions
Bring back creative circles
As you can see, SMART goals, they ain’t! Key for me is having an accountability partner who gently (and not so gently) nudges me and asks, “How’s that podcast coming along then?”
I’ve managed to reach mid-Winter with three pieces in the studio to which I can say a resounding, “Yes, that’s me, that’s my work!” AND a set of intentions for the year - I’d call that a good start to 2023.
Until next time.
JC
This Instagram live by artist, Andrew Salgado (click image)
This book:
This beautiful short animation by artist, Maria Eppart
That's really interesting about "Abstract Expressionism". I've always wondered if people are drawn to purchasing or showcasing abstract expressionism because the artwork is left to interpretation? Each person can take away their own meaning of the art?