There are two basic paths with offshoot variations, to a career as a painter. I chose path one as a young painter out of art school. Art school teaches you nothing about business. In fact they steer you toward building prestige and elitism for artists.
I spent the first part of my career entering competitions, getting to be listed with auction houses, Who’s Who, etc. I worked very hard to be one of the known Florida artists. I did museum shows, art center shows, building my resume, bio, and statement. Later, I did all the big Florida Paint Outs. I consulted on all of them, and I was the project manager for the Epcot Artists in the Garden paint out for 10 years. I belonged to all the southern plein air organizations, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, of which there were many at the time. Path one is climbing the ladder.
About ten years ago, I began to despise all of path one. It takes a lot of pointless energy to walk on path one. You do it because you have the false sense that it is the only legitimate path and that you will be marginalized without it. I woke up one day and said I’m done!
I stopped doing paint outs, stopped doing shows where you must pay to play. I only do invitational exhibits now. I stopped caring about building resumes, bios, statements. No one has asked me for one in 10 years.
Path two is very different. It is cozy and very kind. I no longer compete with other artists. Instead, I began to learn to cheer for their successes. I began to make friends with my collectors instead of the artsy-fartsy community. I didn’t need to run around hoping to be seen with the cool people. I began to put my energy into my paintings instead, spending my precious time learning how to paint.
Perhaps I have become marginalized by the art community for stepping away, but I’m a better painter now and I have a lot more friends, both artists and collectors. All the paths we take, make us what we are. I wouldn’t change any of it.
Life is wonderful for country painters.....
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