I met with a group of artists last night, and as usual was stunned that some of them had not heard of Robert Genn and The Painter’s Keys. If you are interested in art, his newsletters are always thought provoking. In a recent post, Genn talked about the art of negative thinking. He highlighted a study that showed artists who are self-critical are more successful than those who are ‘perennially upbeat.’ I have seen this in action, and while I believe that most successful artists have a certain amount of confidence and self esteem, it is also true that they are their own harshest critic.
I started this post in February of 2011, after a particularly rough barrage of rejection letters and low sales. I didn’t quit painting… I furthered my resolve. Although plenty of artists find good excuses to lay down the brush, none of these reasons seemed quite worth sacrificing the thrill of finishing a painting that expresses my own unique esthetic and emotion or the satisfaction of knowing my art connected with a connoisseur. That said, here are some of the negative thoughts that were rolling around in my head. Simon Cowell was here, laying it on the line.
- When people ask you “Are you still painting?” you can exclaim “Nope, I finally gave up that bad habit!”
- Your walls will finally match your furniture
- You can get a ‘real’ job
- You won’t have to worry anymore about whether your work is finished
- No more subjecting your work to others for judgement
- Inspiration can be someone else’s worry
- Whether your work has meaning will no longer be a concern
- You can devote more time to golf
- Travel can now be devoted to eating well, not the vistas and sights
- No more impersonal rejection letters
- When you go to work, you will know exactly what to do
- No more ‘groping’ for something you’ve never seen before
- ‘Studio’ space can be devoted to exercise and meditation
- You can throw away all those bad paintings accumulating under the bed
- When you talk about your ‘style’ you can be referring to your clothes or your life, not your work
Leave a comment: If you’re an artist, what would be one reason you would give up creating? If you are a collector, your purchase may be the one that dissuades an artist from quitting altogether. Support artists in their struggle by affirming that the work they do is valuable and worth collecting. There is no endorsement that is more convincing than a check.
PS: if you have been wanting a chance to collect one of my paintings, I’m hosting a contest over on my facebook page: Ruth Armitage Studios. “Like My Page” for a chance to win, or to throw a little extra encouragement my way…
Hi Ruth – That was a good one. We all go through this I think. I particularly needed it today. Not being a fashionista, exercise freak, tv watcher or anything else listed in the reasons not to paint, guess I better keep trying! What else would I do?
Becki
Hi Becki,
I can think of lots of other things to do with my time, but maybe nothing as satisfying as when painting goes right. Of course the flip side is: there is nothing more frustrating than when it doesn’t go right, lol! Those of us who create know that all too well 🙂
Hi Ruth,
My post yesterday disappeared, so I’m trying again.
There will always be other things vying for my time, but I know that I feel right with the world on days when I’ve painted…and not as satisfied on days that I don’t. The only thing that could stop me from painting is if my hands give out on me (and with recent carpal tunnel surgery, I do worry about my hand/wrist pain). The way I see it, I’ll never run out of ideas (or paper and paints, the way I’ve been stocking up on this stuff!), so as long as I remain INTERESTED in art and other artists (like you!), I am spurred on to keep painting! Like you, there are days that paintings don’t go so well and I wonder why I struggle, but a bad day of painting is still better than a good day of office work!!
Thanks for your comment Liz. I like that… a bad day of painting is better than a good day of office work 🙂 Nicely put. And I hope you have many more years before your hands give out!
Hi Liz, I have a friend who loves to paint who had carpel tunnel, it was sorted with surgery and she has now forgotten it. Just one person amongst many who defeat the barriers put in our way – all the very best for you , alan
The only reason I will quit my art is when the body cannot keep going. Cant think of another reason.
I agree with marilyn, and like marilyn I reckon, I intend to keep painting till I cannot lift the brush. I keep thinking I have to live a long time yet to say what i want to say in my work, so i feel pressurised as i get older to get it done before i die. However i think of van goch and feel a little better, not a lot because i want to be around to enjoy recognition to be honest. I think the question asked is ridiculous but it sure has prompted interesting responses – so well asked!
Thanks for commenting Alan & Marilyn!
I would never stop painting voluntarily. When life is being unkind, as it sometimes is, I tell myself ” at least I can always paint”.
No way! There’s no reason good enough to give up who I’m meant to be, one who creates. I might possibly give up painting on canvas or painting as the end result but I’d never give up being a maker of beautiful things or one who expresses my feeling through deliberatly making art of some kind or another. Or one who works to make a garden beautiful, or one who delights family and friends with a thoughtful arrangement of flowers or objects as a table centerpiece. There’s no going back… there’s only growth and keeping on with the art work that I was created to do.
Here’s another one…”16. You can give yourself selflessly to taking care of others without taking care of yourself.” It won’t take long before you’re sick and unable to care for others. I truly believe that creating feeds the soul and keeps the body-mind-soul healthy.
Thanks Sue, that IS a great one! I know I get mighty cranky when I haven’t been able to create.
Honestly nothing. Nothing could ever convince me to give up painting. Unless I could somehow trade it in for a magic pill that let me eat all the chocolate I wanted without gaining weight. Only then would I consider it.
Ha! That is a great one Crystal 🙂 Thanks for the grin!
it´s like giving up myself.. my soul.. no, no way! 🙂
Great article Ruth. LOVE #11: it’s my favorite, but then again 12-15 are pretty funny as well. And then there’s #8. And I might add to Liz’s comment that a bad day painting is better than a day NOT painting. In other words, facing the canvas and showing up to work no matter what still feels better than avoiding the studio and the challenge.
Great point, Melinda. Something about facing a challenge always feels good, no matter how tough the challenge is! Thanks for visiting!
There is no reason good enough to stop creating 😀
I have been in a slump — not inspired to paint — feeling blah — getting old — am old — nothing selling now — need to order some new oil paints — don’t have any canvas the right size — etc. My daughter and grandson keep asking me — are you painting anything — have you been painting? I did a couple oils over the winter – winter scenes — quite good but now that summer is here and the flowers are in bloom – my favorite subjects — I haven’t touched a brush. I thought that I would create like mad once I got the high blood pressure under control and felt better but I just can’t get into it again. Still I feel badly that I cannot show any one a new painting when they ask. Woe is me! I guess I will just have to bite the “bullet” and start something — say a prayer for me — it worked wonders for the blood pressure.
Hi Doris,
I will keep you in my thoughts & prayers! I often find I have to do a few bad paintings to get back into it after I’ve been away from the easel. Once I get them out of my system, then I proceed as usual 🙂 Best to you!
Nothing would ever make me give up painting! I need to paint…not only do I love it, but It’s a way of taking care of myself…enough said:))
Your wife says she can respect you now since you’re not waisting your time anymore.
16. Your husband can stop saying, “If you stopped painting, nothing in your life would change. You would still have food and a roof over your head.” P.S. I love golf 🙂
Thanks for commenting, Carolee! I think that my life would change though… Not because of economic reasons, but definitely in personal satisfaction!
Exactly! See he doesn’t understand that I wouldn’t be the same and that means my life would change.
Today I did it again. I’ve done this nearly a hundred times. I have a great piece of art, then i decide to LOOK at some tiny edge or something like that, then darken it a HAIR.
Well, after nearly 10 hours (many time more than that), i ruined the whole thing. I’m a perfectionist, so that is WHY a painting is never at it’s best and usually ruined. You can go on and on about letting it go and all that, because i’ve google all that stuff before.
This is not good for me, i need to enjoy life more than being a slave to my work. If you don’t truely enjoy the process, find something else. I love photography and seem to be a slight bit before about mending mistakes using graphite drawing (i think that is a bit more forgiveing since I’m pretty much doing the “step backward, delete” stuff over and over like photoshop.
I’m trying to give up painting and all other artwork. I no longer have a home of my own and I sometimes stay with friends and sometimes stay with family. I dropped deep into credit card debt just trying to pay for basics–food, my dog (who has since died), and the minimalist car repairs I can get away with on my 15 year old vehicle. I’m not writing to complain about that. But this: I tell myself–“you have no studio, no space, you cannot do art.” I am working a job now and earning decent money, but the problem is—I can’t stop thinking about painting, or sculpture!!!! haha I googled to find out if other artists have tried to quit their art and what their experiences are. (of course I know the answer to my own question—You cannot quit doing art.)
You really hit the nail on the head for me. My partner just passed away and I’m slowly re-integrating being uncoupled. This has affected my desire to paint because I used to share my love of art with him. I began to think that maybe I will give away all of my art supplies,my easels,etc and quit painting.I’ve been making art since I was little and it has always been my passion.
But humor really helps so when I read the 15 reasons to quit I had to laugh. Turn my studio into a meditation room? I’m so glad I came across this-it jerked me away from feeling down and thinking about giving up something I love. Thank you.
My reason for quitting…I have a very bad case of depression, my life revolves around painting, I throw away every painting I do (I have never finished a painting). My painting is all I have left and I believe that painting is adding to much to my depression.
Great article. My situation is this: up until last summer, my husband and I (in our early 70’s) did four shows per summer in a tourist area by the ocean. I made really good money at these shows. BUT, my husband has been diagnosed with early onset dementia, and this was evident in his work at the last show. I’m the painter, he’s the one who does most of the set up and take down. After research and soul searching, I decided not to do any more shows, fearing that things were only going to get worse (which they are.) So now I have an inventory of about 40 pieces which are not selling on line, despite my efforts. I don’t see any real reason to create more. I’ve always been motivated by knowing people really want my paintings. Sort of addicted to positive feedback. Don’t know what to do now.
Hi Janet,
Sales are a great motivator, but they are not the only motivator. I’m so sorry to hear about your husband’s illness. Perhaps you could look at painting as a way to chronicle your journey through this painful process. Or as a way to escape the daily repetitions that must come along with dealing with a dementia patient? Another idea might be to find a retail outlet: gallery, winery or coffee shop – where your work might get public attention. This is an intense time of life. It’s ok to take a break, but don’t feel guilty if you need to take time for yourself to paint. You might find that these paintings are powerfully expressive, if different from the work you did for the art shows. Hang in there and thanks for getting in touch.
‘Art School 50 years ago’ thoughts enter my mind daily while working. It was brutal showing work to Teachers who knew the deal (and had given up) and students who refuse to see what awaits them. ‘Will Phillip Glass like my stuff?’ ‘I can get a job coding and do my real work on the side’. It is a tough life and you just have to get through the tunnel of ‘Fuck will William Whiley like my stuff’ that awaits you very day and get to work. Momma’s not going to like your work anymore!!!