Supporting Artists
The last few weeks I have not posted any new articles, mostly because it takes time to find things that I think are relevant and interesting, not only just to me, but also to the browsers of this blog. Alas, the wait is over and I found a really interesting website that actually inspired me because it is the embodiment of what I think of when I think of support forums for creative minds.
It's not over the top, with a lot of fancy graphics and sexual imagery to "sell" its audience on. It has a clean, simple, free spirited, down home feel to it and it seems to serve the purpose for which it was developed, "Supporting Artists".
In one of the articles under "Featured Artists", there is a young woman who is the creator of "Hill Top Creations". As I read her article, she made a statement about the things that help keep her motivated as an artist, and it was real. Many times I run into people and they act as if everything is so easy and okay, and you never get a true sense or appreciation for their craft because they don't really let you in on the "birth pangs" of their creation. Somehow by trying to make things seem so easy and free, by ignoring our emotional reality, we water down and defeat our own efforts. I believe that in all stories, in all professions, and in all things, there is always at least 2 sides to a story. Two ways of telling something, two ways of seeing it, and usually as people we tend to want to see the finished and glamorous side of everything. It's sad really, when you think about it, that "we" as a people, diminish the days, months, and perhaps years of our own blood, sweat, and tears, for a few minutes of attention while totally sweeping under the rug, the best part of all, the creation process. Me personally, I actually like to hear the real stories about how someone struggled their way to success. Why? Because it's "Real" and in this world, seeing and hearing things that are "Real", yet positive, to me, is considered as a great thing!
Going back to the article for "Hill Top Creations", she mentions a quote by an american public radio personality and producer named Ira Glass who really brings home the big picture of things:
“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn't have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I've ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You've just gotta fight your way through.” ― Ira Glass
So for all of you starving and not so starving artist out there, stay positive, keep up the good work, invite change, share your stories, support your peers (don't steal from others, we all have something to offer), and never give up what you love, because one day things will come together, and maybe even better than you ever expected it to!
Sincerely,
Me
It's not over the top, with a lot of fancy graphics and sexual imagery to "sell" its audience on. It has a clean, simple, free spirited, down home feel to it and it seems to serve the purpose for which it was developed, "Supporting Artists".
In one of the articles under "Featured Artists", there is a young woman who is the creator of "Hill Top Creations". As I read her article, she made a statement about the things that help keep her motivated as an artist, and it was real. Many times I run into people and they act as if everything is so easy and okay, and you never get a true sense or appreciation for their craft because they don't really let you in on the "birth pangs" of their creation. Somehow by trying to make things seem so easy and free, by ignoring our emotional reality, we water down and defeat our own efforts. I believe that in all stories, in all professions, and in all things, there is always at least 2 sides to a story. Two ways of telling something, two ways of seeing it, and usually as people we tend to want to see the finished and glamorous side of everything. It's sad really, when you think about it, that "we" as a people, diminish the days, months, and perhaps years of our own blood, sweat, and tears, for a few minutes of attention while totally sweeping under the rug, the best part of all, the creation process. Me personally, I actually like to hear the real stories about how someone struggled their way to success. Why? Because it's "Real" and in this world, seeing and hearing things that are "Real", yet positive, to me, is considered as a great thing!
Going back to the article for "Hill Top Creations", she mentions a quote by an american public radio personality and producer named Ira Glass who really brings home the big picture of things:
“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn't have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I've ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You've just gotta fight your way through.” ― Ira Glass
So for all of you starving and not so starving artist out there, stay positive, keep up the good work, invite change, share your stories, support your peers (don't steal from others, we all have something to offer), and never give up what you love, because one day things will come together, and maybe even better than you ever expected it to!
Sincerely,
Me
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