Saturday, March 20, 2010

taking a little break...

I've decided to take a little break from my fine art for a while. I need some time to reflect on what I am doing, what I am trying to say through my art, and what it is saying to me. I feel as though I need a bit of quiet time to stretch and find what it is about my art that was once bringing me joy. Or maybe I need to grow as an artist. *sigh* I have some strong regrets about selling my favorite drawings, knowing that I will never get them back. Makes me wonder why I started putting a price on them in the first darned place. I used to just draw for the enjoyment of it. When did it become a commodity for me? It was never my intention when I began drawing in my Moleskine a year and a half ago to sell anything. Ever. And starting this blog was only a way to share my joy of art with you. But now something is missing, and I am left confused and regretful. Bummer. Perhaps I'll be back with a new sense of purpose, and maybe I'll even have new works to show when I return. Or maybe not. *sigh* I'm just not sure anymore....

13 comments:

Sally Tharpe Rowles said...

I totally understand the regret of selling your work. It is most definitely, difficult, if not impossible, to put a price on something that is in fact a part of you. I hope you enjoy your break. We all need them from time to time.

ines said...

Hey

I'm sorry you feel like that about selling your work. I would love to give you the right bit of advice that would give you peace with it, not just live with it but actually truly be at peace with your decision.

I've never tried selling my work, I either give it away or loose it. Loosing it, (because i leave it lying on a cafeteria table where it get's snatched up by the next visitor) or loosing it because I make a stupid error while saving a back-up copy...

Well for me I said to myself, I know the artist... She'll make more beautiful art... And I'm happy for others to enjoy my art, whoever has found it or in your case bought it.

But it's a very personal journey. I just wish you peace with your choices and with what life throws at you.

x

ines said...

oh, and I love your art, so having/holding something as beautiful as you create would make me very, very happy.

Hope you enjoy your break.

Dean Grey said...

(((HUGS))) Kathleen!

You're allowed to take a break but you better not leave entirely!

Hope you are well and I hope you find your answers SOON!

-Dean

Christine H. said...

I am not an artist, but I understand completely that it must be difficult to give up your work. I have bought some artwork that I absolutely cherish. I wonder sometimes if the artist misses it. But let me tell you that I look at it every day with a renewed sense of joy and wonderment. Not only do I love looking at it and continually see new things in it, I am also very much in awe of the artist's ability to create it. Might I suggest that I love it even more than the artist did? I say this because you may have brought much more joy to the people who bought your art than you can fathom. That really takes it out of the realm of commodity. Just my two cents.

Dean Grey said...

Wise words from Christine H.!

Artwork is meant to be shared with others, Kathleen. Don't feel guilty for parting with some of your pieces.

It's all part of being an artist. You create. You sell/give away. You create something new in its place. Rinse, wash, repeat!

-Dean

Anonymous said...

To have regrets is understandable, but pointless, Kate. They were created from the one thing that you could never sell; your Light within. Therefore, I say, they're never lost.
They are now in the the possession of someone else, feeling the Light that they were created with and maybe, just maybe, loving them even more than you could.

Brent said...

I like your decision Kate and I believe and hope that He will guide you and your works will reflect that.
I came upon this moment in my life some 10 years ago when writing music just did not appeal to me anymore and I have not went back since and I found so much peace and relaxation in other forms of writing and art.
Knowing you will too.

Carolina said...

Hi Kathleen,
My paintings are like children to me, I can't think of selling them (well, I don't know who'd buy them anyway :), the closest thing I can do to selling is giving them away as gifts, to people I know like them. I can always visit my 'babies'. Well, the point is, maybe you can paint for you, and also you can paint for selling, but you draw a clear line in between them.
Warm regards,
Carolina

Andrew Finnie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ces Adorio said...

Hello Kate, just stopping by to say hello and hope all is well with you. I had to quit FB. Too much time playing online. Take care Kate. Hahah!

Unknown said...

I am in the same place right now... I know exactly how you feel. Artists need to reinvent themselves. And if you weren't attached to your work it wouldn't be so good (which it is). I think you will find a happy medium where you can make some money off your art, but not feel that void when it's gone. After all, the experience will go into the next project. Inspiration reveals itself in all kinds of ways... I"m betting something will happen and you're break will be history. :)

Diane Smith said...

I know the feeling of hitting a wall - only I hit it immediately out of college. I was already so uninspired and directionless, and I don't think I did any drawing and painting (my degree specialization) for almost 10 years!!! I did other creative things like teach art and do stained glass and collage.

My very first entry on my blog discusses some of the reasons I made a total wrong turn in college (hint: illustration was not considered "real" art). But, I won't got into that here.

On the bright side, when I picked up a pencil again, I was far enough removed from school that it was with total freedom - completely for enjoyment and no strings attached. I was completely amazed at what came out!!! I don't think I had ever done such quality work - and it was without years of actual practice and refining of skills - just out of the blue. But, it was in there the whole time - just too many external(and some internal) influences. No dictated assignments, no deadlines, no restrictions, no professors to please, no impending grades affecting my creative choices.

Wow! This got a bit long!

Anyway, blessings and by all means, take the time you need to unwind and refresh.

I'm sure it won't take you as long to regroup as it did me. But, having your moleskin and photography, etc. are wonderful alternatives to your illustrations. Anything you do in other parts of your life will only enhance your professional artwork.