Fun with movie clips.
I’ve yet to use a movie clip to illustrate a point on Art Palaver but I thought I’d give it a try with this post. And why not use a movie that is full of life applicable illustrations, The Matrix. If you’re familiar with the movie you’ll quickly recognize this scene of Neo (Keanu Reeves) attempting his first gravity law breaking leap from one skyscraper to another:
Click here if your reading this post in a place that does not show the video.
In the clip Neo is attempting something new and something he does not believe is possible even though he watches his teacher successfully make the jump. We all do this in life. We believe that a certain goal, task, or accomplishment is something that other people do, not us. This notion is what Colonel Potter would call “horse hockey.”
I am sure someone is already pointing out that Neo fell flat on the pavement, he failed. But before he fell to street he believed he had the potential to make the jump. Otherwise he never would have made the leap off such a high ledge. And if you watch it again you’ll notice even though he did make it to the other building he still made a jump that was higher and farther than humanly possible. And I believe in that leap and in that failure he got a more tangible taste of his potential.
Before you go jumping off some high ledges first recognize the potential you have to be a full time well fed artist. Own it. Believe it. Take it further and find that potential in you to be a very wealthy artist that collectors fight over. Even if you’re laughing at that thought I think you owe to yourself to at least acknowledge you have the potential. It is not impossible, it has happened to many artists who breathe the same air you do. Often in life if nothing else is there the potential always is.
If you’ve done this small, tiny, simple step of recognizing your potential you’re well on your way. But like Neo you have to start taking steps and eventually leaps. But before we get to that next step I really really want you to make that mental shift and truly believe you have the potential in you to be a full time artist. That is your homework. It is so very important which is why I keep saying it. Because so many of you tell me the opposite. Stop it.
You can make a living with your art!
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Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I have been telling myself this for the past few months now. However my immediate family who I’ve had to rely on for help this past year insist on me giving up this “nonsense” and focus on my “real” job.
They say surround yourself with like minded people who believe and think positive but its my family so whats a girl to do?
[Reply]
I have been a working artist for more than 35 years. I have not had any other job and have supported myself and two children, now grown. I did this because I had to, not having any other job skills that I could use to earn money.
My artwork is not the greatest in the world and I do not command the highest prices, $1200 to $20,000. I also do not have people fighting over my paintings, however, over the years, in good times and in bad times I have continued to sell my paintings through art galleries.
I believe that the key to any artist selling their work is to keep painting and improving your craft. Also, working with an art gallery that you trust and are loyal to will, in the long run be your greatest asset in growing your art career. Finding the art gallery, your partner in art sales is not that easy, especially in hard times when galleries are going broke and closing. That is when your loyalty is important. I also would love to sell work online and will continue to work on that. However, I still feel that at this time, at least for me, art galleries are still important to my art career and sales.
I do believe in myself. I always have, even when my artwork was very average and not particularly salable. I suppose I was looking at the world through rose colored glasses. However, that does not matter. I still kept painting and putting my work out there for the art collector to buy, which they did which surprised me. I just kept painting and working on improving my work. I began to look more at other artists especially those who were on the top and were selling for high prices.
Now, I still work every day and still want to get better. I am taking up sculpting now and hope to eventually have a career in sculpting at my advanced age of 66.
Thanks for your words of encouragment. I do appreciate that. We artists have a solitary life and appreciate encouragement from fellow artists.
Best regards,
Jacquie Vaux
http://www.jacquievauxart.com
http://www.arttopicsblog.com
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