 Thanks for sending your questions. For today’s blog post, I’ve chosen two that suggest the range of personal and professional dilemmas artists face. The first question is about how to select juried shows to enter; the other asks what to do when your own creativity seems to have disappeared.
Question #1 I’m an artist photographer who has returned to art after a career in online media. In the last year, I have gotten into three juried shows, so I’m encouraged. I’m following your advice and entering three or four competitions each month, but I’m starting to think about how to be selective in doing so. Having been in a business where awards programs are a pretext for ways to earn money, I’m aware that competitions can exist solely to collect fees. My question is, what filters should I use in deciding which competitions to enter? Alec Dear Alec, Congratulations on getting into those juried shows! It is never easy. As you know, there are too many contests and competitions for photographers, so I agree that you need to choose carefully. The best filters are tied to your own goals. For example, if you are trying to build a reputation as a fine art photographer, then you’ll want to consider the “call for entries” from the major photography nonprofit organizations, such as Black Box Gallery in Portland, Oregon, or the Center for Fine Art Photography in Fort Collins, Colorado. While these shows are hard to get into, they raise your visibility in the art world. I would also advise you to enter shows where the jurors are named. This makes it more likely that it is a genuine competition, rather than just a fund-raising effort. Be sure to check out the jurors’ credentials. For contests, look at images of past winners to see the kinds of work they are looking for. Do you admire these photographers? Could you see your work alongside them? Don’t rule out competitions where the winners appear only online. These days people find you online, and such visibility can direct visitors to your website. Question #2 I have lost my creativity because of pain issues and I really want to get back into the life that I enjoy. I know people say art can help with depression, but I need a push to start. I also need to stop being a perfectionist and worrying about what other people think of my art. Lost Dear Lost, I’m sorry to hear that you are in pain, but your creativity is still an essential part of you. Think of yourself as a perennial plant in a winter garden. Your deep roots of creativity are alive and ready to reawaken, even after a long dormant period. I know it is difficult to get started again, especially when pain is draining your energy. Slowly return to the life you enjoy. Work on a personal art project. Perhaps you could make a gift for a friend or family member, using their birthday or anniversary as your deadline. Slowly get back into your daily studio practice, even if it’s only 30 minutes a day. Try to silence, or at least ignore, the “other people” in your head who express negative thoughts and doubts about your work. These voices represent your inner critic, who keeps you stuck by saying that the work has to be perfect before you begin. Even when you’re in good health, making art can be a lonely business. Living with pain can turn you inward, so start reaching out to other people. You might volunteer to teach a young student, or give feedback to another struggling artist. Whenever you feel isolated or alone, share your talents with others. Let your art help you heal. If won’t happen immediately, or even quickly, but it is time to begin. All the best, Mary Mary Edwards, Ph.D. www.coachingforartists.com I’m a Career & Life Coach for Artists. I’m based in the San Francisco Bay Area, but work with artists throughout the United States and all over the world. If you would like to send in a question or schedule a time to talk about your own goals, please write to me at: [email protected]. Comments are closed.
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