I think we as a culture almost fetishize "working hard" and it clouds our ability to understand what that really means. I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes. Painter Chuck Close said, "Inspiration is for amateurs." Art isn't magic, it's as much about showing up and working as any other job. Like you say here, if you aren't working at the fringe or your abilities, you aren't growing.
I'd encourage you, and anyone, to look up Brian Canini's talk from CXC a couple years ago about productivity. The guy has kids and works a full time job. He also draws better than a full graphic novel's worth of comics a year. He talks candidly about his struggles with perfectionism.
This was a fantastic read. Thank you for putting the time into this.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I’ve been pondering this problem a lot lately. I think everyone is afraid of failure. And perfectionism can be a tough deterrent to getting things started. But we just have to do it. We have to try again and again. Thank you for these posts! I’ve enjoyed reading them.
Best post for me and my students. During our first critique of the semester, at least half a dozen of my students introduced their piece with something along the lines of, “I didn’t start this project until last night, so it’s not my best work….” It has sparked some class discussions since about what being an artist REALLY looks like, and if it’s something they REALLY want. We all have a lot to learn—me included.
I remember asking a student if they 'really wanted it'. I got a nasty student rating that semester. It is a hard question to ask and I always worry that it won't work as a motivator but a discourager. Maybe that's good?
They can take it either way, but the “hard work” aspect is every bit as important to teach them as the skills—“talent” can only take you so far. It’s such a bummer that your student took it as discouragement rather than a challenge to find purpose and motivation in their work. Especially when your job is to prepare them for the real work of being an artist.
So, this offended me at first and then I realized it's because it's true and it's a truth I like to avoid most of the time. So thank you very much for the reality check
What a well written reality check! Solid advice without at all sounding condescending. You clearly just want to see your students to succeed.
The one I’ve really been trying to work on is showing up even when the motivation isn’t there. It’s extra hard with ADHD. Trying to overcome that executive dysfunction can feel physically impossible some days.
Ooof needed this today. Finished my second semester in an exhausted train wreck, scraping by (waiting for results now) but determined to do better next year.
There is no gate-keeping: the hill is just reaaaly steep to the top! :) There are so many important things to remember from your article, thanks you for sharing your thoughts (and experience) with us! *off to do more thumbnails*
So good. Bitter medicine, but worth it. 💪
Thanks Jacob. I hate calling it out but since I suffer from it, might as well.
Same here. I think most of us do to some extent
I think we as a culture almost fetishize "working hard" and it clouds our ability to understand what that really means. I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes. Painter Chuck Close said, "Inspiration is for amateurs." Art isn't magic, it's as much about showing up and working as any other job. Like you say here, if you aren't working at the fringe or your abilities, you aren't growing.
I'd encourage you, and anyone, to look up Brian Canini's talk from CXC a couple years ago about productivity. The guy has kids and works a full time job. He also draws better than a full graphic novel's worth of comics a year. He talks candidly about his struggles with perfectionism.
This was a fantastic read. Thank you for putting the time into this.
Thanks Douglas for reading and commenting. I will have to check out Brian's presentation. Cheers!
Dang, at least give me a warning before you stabbed me with a knife...........of truth!
Ha! Nice retort.
This is such a fantastic post. Thank you. I needed this reminder.
Hi Santhya. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I’ve been pondering this problem a lot lately. I think everyone is afraid of failure. And perfectionism can be a tough deterrent to getting things started. But we just have to do it. We have to try again and again. Thank you for these posts! I’ve enjoyed reading them.
Hi Amy. Thanks for reading and commenting! Hope all is well with you.
Best post for me and my students. During our first critique of the semester, at least half a dozen of my students introduced their piece with something along the lines of, “I didn’t start this project until last night, so it’s not my best work….” It has sparked some class discussions since about what being an artist REALLY looks like, and if it’s something they REALLY want. We all have a lot to learn—me included.
I remember asking a student if they 'really wanted it'. I got a nasty student rating that semester. It is a hard question to ask and I always worry that it won't work as a motivator but a discourager. Maybe that's good?
They can take it either way, but the “hard work” aspect is every bit as important to teach them as the skills—“talent” can only take you so far. It’s such a bummer that your student took it as discouragement rather than a challenge to find purpose and motivation in their work. Especially when your job is to prepare them for the real work of being an artist.
Wonderful post. Exactly what's needed to kick myself out of a pit of why-bothers. Thank you!
Thanks for reading and commenting. This is the hard pill I always need to swallow.
So, this offended me at first and then I realized it's because it's true and it's a truth I like to avoid most of the time. So thank you very much for the reality check
Hi Gwen. Thanks for reading and commenting!
My pleasure! Brought here by Orla Stevens' latest video "how to make your art feel more like you", she quoted one of your other articles!
Well now I'm blushing. Thanks for the heads up.
Very well written reality check I might add
What a well written reality check! Solid advice without at all sounding condescending. You clearly just want to see your students to succeed.
The one I’ve really been trying to work on is showing up even when the motivation isn’t there. It’s extra hard with ADHD. Trying to overcome that executive dysfunction can feel physically impossible some days.
Ooof needed this today. Finished my second semester in an exhausted train wreck, scraping by (waiting for results now) but determined to do better next year.
This post is the mirror I need to hold up to my own practice. It stings but in a good way—a proverbial kick in the pants. Thanks for this!
Glad it has struck a chord with you. Thanks for reading!
There is no gate-keeping: the hill is just reaaaly steep to the top! :) There are so many important things to remember from your article, thanks you for sharing your thoughts (and experience) with us! *off to do more thumbnails*