A Crisis of Confidence?
Posted by Keith on Wednesday Jun 4, 2008 Under Painting / DrawingI seem to be suffering a crisis of confidence at the moment, and it’s all been triggered by a kind act. I received an email this morning from an acquaintance who likes my art and knows I’ve been yearning to make a sale. In it, she has offered me the opportunity to make use of some good open space in a public venue to host a personal ‘exhibition.’ Now, neither of us really knows how to stage an exhibition but that’s neither here nor there. What has happened though, is that now I’m plagued with a ton of self-doubt about how good my art is.
I know I’m a good decorative artist, and my landscapes have grown better and better. But am I good enough to invite people, even strangers, to come and see it? I am just struggling to believe that I am. It didn’t help that I was hearted by someone on Etsy who does similar paintings and I feel they blow mine out of the water! I also don’t think I have enough to do an ‘exhibition’ as I only have 12 paintings right now and they range in size from 5″x7″ to 24″x28″. To me, an exhibition should have a lot of paintings of larger size.
I also have no idea how to invite people to such an exhibition or how to display my art. Would I need to invest money I don’t have into a bunch of easels? This isn’t a place where I can hang things on the wall as the owners would kill me for putting nail holes in the walls! Frankly, I’m worried about self-sabotaging a good opportunity but I really feel frantic and scared at trying to do this.
Does anyone have any good ideas on how to approach this that they can share?
June 4th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Keith -
don’t be a dumb-ass. You’re exponentially harder on yourself than anybody else is. While your work is not ready for fine art museums, it fits quite nicely into a number of venues. Will everybody like it, no. Will it be to everybody taste, no. However, I think many people will like it - although purchases might be far slower. The things I’ve seen you post would fit well into any amateur display of arts works and you may be able to sell a few if not some of them.
June 4th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
As for constructive suggestions -
I would suggest that 12 or so smaller paintings are just fine for a small show. If you have enough time, your father may be able to help you construct some easels for far less than buying them or you could cover a 4×8 sheet of plywood with fabric, give it some legs (a hinged A on each end) and use that as a back drop to hang them on. Depending on your size mix, that may hold them all.
June 4th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
What’s that saying? “We’re all our own worst critic”. Yeah, toss that out the window and don’ t let this awesome opportunity get away from you. Have you looked into renting or borrowing easels (from a school?) for the day? Could you use something else that you could borrow from others like chairs? (I haven’t see the venue…so it’s hard to say). A show is what you say it is — there is no definition of how many pieces or what size you have to have. I’d say ask others for help…it never hurts to ask. (the worst answer you’ll get is no.) As far as getting the word out for the show — try evites or just plain email — it’s free. Tell your friends to spread the word — that’s free too! Good Luck, I hope you have a SMASHING show! You gotta post pictures for us!
June 5th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Don’t let this opportunity slip away. Artists are always harder on themselves than anybody else is. As others have mentioned you will not be adored by all but you will be by some. Take a photo of one of your paintings and make it into an invitation, then start passing them out and have friends and family pass them out as well. Leave a couple in local shops and the public will come. Don’t let fear keep you from moving forward, let it encourage you to move forward! Good luck:)
June 5th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Oh, Keith! You’ve got a great opportunity in front of you, and while I can understand your hesitation you have to know deep down that you are your own worst critic. The Etsy seller that hearted you? They probably think your work blows THEIRS out of the water! At any rate, you’ve got to start somewhere and you will learn an immeasurable amount if you just go for it. At the very least, you’ll be putting your name out there and you’ll pick up some more wisdom than you already have. Your work is beautiful, show it off!
June 16th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Keith, I know how you feel, I just started a web page for my paintings and I wonder if anyone will like the work. As for your showing, why not? You can only learn from it and you may find some fans. I think your work is great.
Take a look at my page, i’d love to have your feedback.
Greg Buck