WALKING IN THE SUNSHINE.

I was asked why I never talk about drawing or painting and giving tips on these areas. I do get people who ask me to comment on their art work and to critique it for them. I am just like all dealers I go with my gut on what I think the Gallery I am working with at the time can sell. Most work I see is of a high standard, both what comes into the Gallery and what I see on the internet and I need to get what I think is the best fit for the market I am in at the time.

It does not mean one is better than another it is just what fits at this particular moment in time.

I very seldom comment on a painting as there are egos involved and I do not want to discourage or hurt anybody and I do not want to tell artists what to paint or how to paint.

I believe there are already far more qualified people out there teaching and talking about those things, I will leave that to them.

My concern is for Artists and their Art Business and their personal development. Far to many very skilled Artists fail, not because of lack of talent and skills, but for not understanding the business of Art, and not taking care of their inner self.

Lack of self esteem and depression are a real issue in the Art Community and it is very hard to get up when you are so far down. It is my desire to just be a helping hand in a small way in what can be a very unfriendly world and unfriendly Art World.

I talk to many talented Artists who have been in the business for a long time and even after many years it can still be a struggle and so much is picked up along the way, hurts, disappointments, betrayal, rejection and the list goes on..

We are in an industry where paintings are sold hundreds of millions of dollars and some artists struggle to sell after ten years of work, for a hundred dollars.

Is it fair? No.

Will it change? Who knows, I hope so..

I can certainly sympathize with the long term Artist of more than ten years who reads about a guy or a gal who decides to become an Artist and after a few months are making thousands of dollars and cannot keep up with the commissions?

I always say to the Artists, “ It does sound to good to be true, doesn't it?”

That does not stop the barbs piercing the struggling Artist, I do know, I can remember how those stories used to hurt me.

What can you do about it? Nothing.

These stories may be true and may not be true, if they are true wonderful for that person and if they are not true, I pity them.

As an Art community we must be interested in our fellow Artists, they are not our competition they are our colleagues, they are not the enemy.

Are there some very difficult Artists out there with big chips on their shoulders? Most certainly.

Yet in saying that we are still a wonderful, vibrant, creative community that does impact on the lives of many and something you may not have thought about, all the people who have jobs because of Artists, your contribution is very big to the economy. Think of all the allied industries that would not survive without Artists, framers, art supply stores, galleries and all their staff and many many more, your contribution is significant.

Sadly, if you are going through hard times your response is probably, “That's nice, I just want to earn a living, not get rich.”

I know, I got to that place, the utter frustration of going nowhere and working so hard to get there, it did not make any sense?

Does it all mess with your head? Yes.

Does it make everything look bad? Yes.

Did I get to that dark place? Yes.

If I am talking to you and you are there in that dark place, no problem, I climbed out and so can you.

I took some simple steps to walk into the sunshine.

+ Talk to a Professional and get it all out. This is very, very important.

+ Make the decision to change your thinking and see the positive.

+ Stop the negative self talk, listen to what you say to yourself and fix it up.

+ If you have a faith, pray again, it helps.

+ Stop being around negative people, move on they only pull you down.

+ Start reading positive books and listening to positive uplifting talks.

+ Go for walks and talk to the Universe.

+ Fall in love with painting again.

+ And the most important thing you can do is love yourself. Yes and say it out loud.

This may surprise you but I believe that if you verbalize this, it makes such a big difference.

The person in the mirror is the only person that you are going to spend your whole life with, people come and go, but you will be with you right up to the last breath.

So be nice to you, talk to you.

If you love yourself, you can love others.

One last thought to finish.

Everything that happens is not against you personally, yes it may seem that way but it is not, so don't make it personal, others are dealing with their own demons, so be understanding and if you cannot be, then say nothing and walk away, words are so hard to take back.

Painting is with out a doubt one of the most wonderful pastimes that there is, if it is your hobby, love what you do and love the experience of painting.

If it is your profession, love painting, be positive, learn the Art Business and how to sell and take very good care of you, your inner self is very important to you Artist as we often live there, for out of the inner self comes the creative flow. 

I have not talked much about the Art Business this post, I will get back to it next time. I am concerned for the welfare of my fellow Artists, please take care of yourself.

I hope this has been a little help to someone, thank you for all the kind comments and emails.

I never intended to write this it just sort of all came out, when thinking of an Artist friend.

Love your paintings, love painting and love yourself.

Mark Shellshear.

Art consultant.

mark@shellshearmedia.com