Does Klee ever notice the light in your eyes when she pop's off with a good one? Rafi is just as serious as a serious gets, and pauses.. Then Klee flies in with a real punch line! Rafi you adore Klee don't you? I love you guys. You two are loaded with talent!
I was thinking along those lines, but the other way round. Klee absolutely adores Rafi. It's great to see them working together and having fun as a team.
"It's so nice that stay at home mums have hobbies. Can I have this cute little painting?" "Yes. That one is $200. Do you want to pay cash or direct debit?"
I'm gonna try to keep this short, but this just happened yesterday and I have to share! There is a large juried art show in my town this weekend, "An Occasion for the Arts" and I was told "you should do the kind of art that gets you in that show!" I asked "why?" And the reply I got was, "so that you will be on your way to becoming a 'real' artist" (insert my resting bi*ch face with added slow blinks, here). Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the show every year, it's a good time, there's lots of beautiful art, great people & musicians, etc. But it's not me...I make art that I enjoy...keywords: I - Make - Art...call me crazy, but I think that makes me an - Artist - Just sayin!😉 Y'all are the best!!!😍
I was my own worst gallery shamer for a long time. Had to tell myself to fly a kite. I did but there was no wind. So I went back to art and pretended none of it ever happened and ignored my inner jerkface. I did have a motivating experience. I went to an artist owned gallery and an oil painter was runner the gallery that day. I admired her work and she asked if I painted. I sheepishly said I do Digital art and expressed it's not as challenging as what she did. I could undo mistakes. She laughed and said she fixed mistakes all the time. She expressed I shouldn't short change myself and pursue it all. She was an Oracle I think. I did an oil painting that weekend.
I had a different experience with gallery owners. I did not know I was a artist till a gallery owner visiting my home saw my work and ask if I had ever shown it any where. I have been painting for decades but it never occured to me anyone other than family members would like my work. After that show another gallery owner ask me to be artist on site at his gallery. It has been a mostly good journey since. Not all galleries are bad.
I just started my art career. Only have completed a few pieces but I post them everywhere i can. My art is on the darker side. I love horror and tbh i have been through alot in my life and that shows in my art. So after I posted this one piece I had someone comment basically saying I was weird for creating the art I do I should never Express myself again and should quit doing art. I didnt give a reply back but several of my friends did and basically roasted her for coming at me like that and defending my art. Was the single greatest feeling knowing that people truly had my back and understanding why I create the art I do.
I think that person was a jerk. We all have our own styles, and ain't nobody can say anything about it. My own art is drawing, painting and photography, and covers genres like fantasy, historical , pinups, scifi and others. My art is light, dark, hopeful, despairing, funny, dead serious, erotic, chaste, and everything in between. After all, my art is MINE. As yours is yours. I ain't listening to anyone saying my art is anything other than art.
@@williamkeogh710 exactly man. My art is very dark and kinds creepy in nature. That's just because not only have I been through alot but also I just love horror and dark stuff. I was and will continue to create art the way I want to. It's my way of expression. It's what I like. If you dont like it. Then don't buy it simple. The only thing that actually kinds pissed me off what that she told me I should be expressing my self. Basically she wants everyone to create positive pieces and happy faces. That's just not me. You should never tell anyone that they shouldn't Express something the way they want to. Thats the beauty with art. We have that ability to convey our message however we see fit
Bravo. My “fav” question: “how LONG have you been an artist?” Uh, since I as old enough to hold a crayon?!? I honestly can’t remember a time when I wasn’t an artist!
exactly! my standard reply is "all my life!" Art runs through me like the words in a stick of rock. (I'm a Welsh/British artist, I'm not sure if a stick of rock is a British thing?.... ). Anyway, I've always been an artist.
I can not like this video enough! This message just reached to my soul (as an artist!) I only within the past 2 months started calling myself an artist because of you and this ongoing message!
I’m still working a full time job until I get my $$ world cleaned up, but I’m an Artist first. My HUGEST irritation is when people make some comment including the word “hobby”, like my art can’t possibly be my primary career and the boring office job supplemental. I shut that s@&$ down right now!
I'm with you. I'm finding now though once I start selling art and growing, the supportive people who looked at my art as a hobby are becoming less supportive and more discouraging.
I live with my 96 year old dad and one day, recently he called my studio my "play room". And I'm 63 years old! I'm not sure how I would have reacted if it had been a non-family person, but I shut him down right away.
@@naynay3710 I had a friend that wanted me to paint prototype helmets. He started his pitch, "how you like if someone actually paid you for your art". I replied they already do. He was puzzled and offered me 20.00 for the job.
Even if I could support myself with revenues generated from my art alone, I would still have a day's job so I could have human interactions. There is a difference between an hobbyists and someone make art part-time, you would know from their marketing efforts and studio practice. If I isolate myself in the studio for 6 months to a year, I would probably develop agoraphobia or start sending pieces of my ear by mail.
Okay, up front, I have more than one "interest" in the arts/crafts... SO I have more hobbies than careers (at the moment). Here's the thing about the technical terms. It's still a "hobby" when you don't get more cash out of it than you're putting in. HOWEVER, the very instant, you start regularly making more money than it takes to pay for the hobby, you have become a PROFESSIONAL... period. When I sketch, I do batches, and mostly adult themed. I then copy them off in sets, bind them, and decorate the covers... Those become "adult coloring books" and sell regularly for FAR MORE than they ever cost me to produce. SO... BAM! Just like that, I'm a professional sketch artist. However, I'm still experimenting and tend to keep much more of my productions in Leather Carving... SO while I am forced to make that hobby's investment minimal and still get enough returns to cut losses... I do take commissions, and I am getting better... As a Leather Carver, specifically, I'm still happily enough a "Hobbyist"... In leather-craft (the general sewing tooling and construction of useful leather things... from tack and harness to pouches, wallets, key-fob covers, and so forth... even relining leather jackets and repairing leather chaps... I make considerably better than I invest... even including time. SO I am a professional leather-craftsman. We can dally on and on in the categories of how I'm a pro' at fine wood-work, but still a hobby carpenter (framing or construction)... and painting is rather dependent, yet... BUT I'll spare you the rest of that library. There is nothing wrong with taking on some type or style of work that remains "in the hobby phase" until you do better than make it "pay for itself". Bottom line? I wouldn't get too pissed about people mentioning "hobby". Just like it's not MY responsibility to protect you from your own inner demons, it's also NOT your responsibility to know how dedicated or long I've been at any one particular craft or art. NOR do you have any need to know that I've been a paid professional storyteller (for instance) some twenty or so years... Most of those folks are angling for a negotiable deal. Obviously, how you handle the negotiations (and tactics) is up to you. I often quietly double my original asking price, which either runs the fowl beasts off, or garners enough compensation for putting up with snide remarks as a negotiating tactic. ;o)
Well as far as art shaming...the worse was when a professor told my whole class while in life drawing, he didn't know why we were there and we should all become chefs or something. That really bothered me for a LONG time. That comment pops up and haunts me to this day. Your videos have done so much in way of keeping me motivated and in the right mind set. I wish more teachers/professors were like you. Thank you for all the hard work you do!
Cindy Diel When I was a young singer, I auditioned for a certain teacher, was accepted into the studio, and *moved halfway across the US* to study with him. After about a year, in an open studio lesson, he humiliated me by saying he wondered what he heard in me, I had no high notes, why was he wasting his time. These people are frauds, fakes, and all-round bad people. It took a long while for me to forgive that teacher, and go on.
The fact that your professor could make a blanket statement, like saying ALL of the students were not artists, shows he was not a teacher. He was a bigot.
My daughter Kassy (Kolorful Kas) was selected to publish some art in her high school written art book but was eventually left out of the final publishing. She was excited but untimely disappointed. But she did what she always does... brushed it of and created more art (no pun intended). She then entered two local gallery juried art shows and placed 1st, 2nd and honorable mention in one show and 1st, 3rd and honorable mention at the other. I always tell her that she doesn't have to believe that she is and artist, she IS and artist. She has been creating since she was at least 3 years old. Currently she is attending college full time, while still painting, creating digital art, manning her social media (Facebook page, Instagram and TH-cam channel), working a graphic design internship, doing a few painting commissions and some graphic design commissions AND enjoying life.
I've used all forms of art and go though phases of what I'm most involved in. Whenever I start up my needle work I always get, "oh that's just thread and shapes, nothing to it!" or "oh so you're not actually 'gifted' with real medium?" and i'm just like, ok Nancy say it when I have my needle and scissors out. Needle work, pastels, and watercolor are my go to's, so it's kind of a slap in the face when people, who aren't even into art, being to criticize or jump to strange conclusions.
I was "successfully" art shamed in college (1977 if you know your art history was a brutal time to claim to be an artist) after I'd been painting commissions and selling work for a handful of years. I stopped--but I did manage to add art to the other stuff I ended up doing, and just resurrected my art phoenix a couple of years ago. Watched this video while editing photos of art for my freeby Weebly website that only like two people know exists--after getting up super-early to do the "day job" and running outside with canvases and camera to take advantage of a cloudy 20 minutes--but it's all good. :) Better this than going into my "golden years" in utter defeat. Go fly a kite, Professor K....
I had a wonderfully supportive music teacher in school who used to say that any time you create something for the pleasure of it, not because it was necessary, not because you were told to do it, but because you derived some joy or pleasure from the act of creating it - that is art and that makes you an artist. My brother was recently dismayed because of the insane costs to go to a "good" art school and had to settle for plan b. Although I think he will do well in this other field and be fulfilled, it pained me to see him give up his dream because he couldn't meet the "requirements" to become a real artist. I'm currently trying to push him to keep painting/drawing/making whatever because he has so much to offer the world with his work.
If he's stuck, have him study marketing (which you use in business and art business), and take all kinds of online art classes. Most of the stuff on youtube is superior to what I learned at "Art School" in 3 years, so he's not missing much to be honest.
Tell your brother never once has a buyer of my work liked a piece, gotten out their credit card then stopped and said "oh, by the way, did you go to art school?" and then put away their card and put the piece back "sorry, love it, perfect for me...but unless you have your Bachelors of Art I just can't". LOL. Know what happens to those who finish art college? They have school loan debt up to the eyeballs and never once need to mention the damn degree/diploma that put them in debt because unless working for some high end graphic design company or as an animator for Disney, no one cares, it never even comes up.
Great stuff as always! You know the snobs in the art community are still trying to have as much control as they can! As consumers continue to get more comfortable buying art online and directly from the artists, this cut out the middleman, the Galleries. As a result, many of them are closing. Due to social media, we no longer have to be in a gallery in order for our art to get noticed! We don’t have to be in this gallery or that gallery to be considered legit artists! We no longer have to fork over 40+ % in commissions to have them sell our work. Those wall have fallen and we have the ability to reach a global audience ourselves and grow our own clientele! I produce digital art that is done in an oil painting style! More often than not, people are intrigued by my work. But sometimes people look at me funny when they find out that what they see is not a reproduction of a painting. They have no idea how much goes into photographing the scene to begin with as well as what’s involved in producing the final work! To some of them, it’s not real art! We generate our art in whatever mediums and styles that we prefer. We then share our works with the world! If a piece resonates with a potential buyer, they can talk directly with the artist to acquire it! That’s how it should be and I absolutely love it! I consider myself to be a legitimate artist! I have been for some time now! Sure, I’ve worked in other disciplines and professions in parallel, but that doesn’t change anything! I’m a real artist and later today, this real artist will be selling his real art at a real art fair to real people! I wish nothing but continued success to all of my fellow artists out there! 👍🏾😁
Cos the "blip" was not a "blip" after all, but an improved expression of genuine sharing if your wisdoms 👍 Thanks Rafi & Klee Total awesomeness ...and yes, I was singing your jingle ...cheers
I was in college and an advanced student said that I obviously had no talent and should just go home. I responded that my excuse for not producing a “masterpiece” was lack of instruction and experience, what was his excuse? You have been here 4 years already and you still suck! The instructor told us to cool out and say nothing if we could not be constructive. I just left and went out for a Coke! Good to see you still get worked up about injustice and bigotry, I salute you both!
This is going to be good. The thing i ussually get when i show something i made,whether it's a video,or a project,hobbie,anything i made and you can tell it took time. It's this comment, "You have too much time". I've gotten that since i was in my late teens and started actually doing something that i liked to do. It did and has shamed me,i stopped creating for awhile or i just didn't tell people what i like to do. But you can't stop creating for long and i got back to it ,now i create just about daily. My stuff has improved. When i get told i have too much time,i hold my tounge but i still make things and don't let it bother me as much.
Oh yeah, "You have way too much time on your hands." I've heard that one a million times, which is just another way of saying they think you’re lazy. Comments like this always puzzle me at their stupidity. It's like how people who are overweight are treated. Strangers stare and talk behind their backs about how lazy that person must be. None of them ever seem to know--or perhaps care--that the cravings of a compulsive eater are equivalent to the cravings of a heroin addict. And, it's funny, I've never seen any one of those helpful Samaritans tell a heroin addict, "Why don't you just eat a salad?" I agree with Harlan Ellison who once ranted, “People always say they are entitled to their opinion. No, you’re entitled to your INFORMED opinion.”
@@SamReevesWrites What gets me is that you can say that about anything. Oh you ran a marathon ? You built a house? You wrote a book? Well, You have too much time on your hands,get a job you hippie!
@@attheranch873 It is,It's one that can mess with your mind. Especially if you're struggling with low self esteem and making art is an outlet for you. I've overcome alot of that old way of thinking. Alot of the people that used to criticize me that way now come to me and ask for my help. 😁
Ugh...what a stupid comment. What did the commenter create? Years ago I was in to crochet. I made a little purse start to finish in one night, and carried it proudly to work the next day. My boss said, "you've got to much time." What an a$#!
First of all, I have to say that although I am not an artist in the sense of paint and canvas (for me, it's fashion neckwear,) your videos are extremely relevant. I was sharing the contents of one of your videos with a fellow creative recently, and he told me he is subscribed to you. At least two people in the Boogie Down enjoy your videos. For me, my stories of art deals more with culture. I know I do not fit in with where I live. And although networking with locals have been a pleasant surprise, I still feel the burden of feeling that I have to look and act a way that I am not in order to be successful where I am. My attitude is that I can't change who I am.
You're not the only one from the boogie down who feels this way. I'm glad I have an artistic brother out there somewhere in the Bx who connects to this post too. Keep being you. You do fit in. You fit with the rest of us who are unusual, different, and uncategorized.
No worries about the lost footage!! You guys are amazing for re-recording and working with the camera messing up. I'm glad yall made this video, it's a very important topic and many of us definitely needed to hear this :)
I'm all over the place with what I draw, because I can be. I've been told more than once that what I make isn't art because a lot of it is nude so it's just trashy. Art is art. And how I express myself is up to me and no one else.
If someone ever came to me and said "you need to be part of an association to be a real artist " I would say "oh, but I am! I'm part of the artists that don't give a f*** association "
Love this! At the last family gathering someone asked me in a whisper “....so how’s...you know...your art thing going?” Like ina low whisper so nobody could hear 🤷🏻♀️😂
Right now, I am still dealing with how my father dragged me into doing things when he was around because "I wasn't doing anything." This was in spite of being in front of the sewing machine, holding the iron in my hand, and trying to take pictures.
Be Brave Awsome Advise. I Loved when people dont believe your an artist then they see your work and look at you and say oh! you are an artist. Peace you all and thanks as always . Eddie
Rafi, Klee, you guys go!!!💪👍 I've felt like this for a long time. I think it's about snobbery, elitism, bullying, and GATEKEEPERS. I don't feel this is going on just in the art world.... BUT I am SO GLAD you guys brought this up. My thoughts, if they shut their doors to you.... let them know their not the only game in town. Go out on your own and give them a run for their money. Be a success on your own, make them sorry they didn't take you in. SUCCESS is always the best revenge 🤭😃. No gallery shaming here. -YOU GUYS ROCK!!! AND I LOVE YOU♥️😘😆 Chow.🙋
Some of Hubby's friends and family ask all too often if I am making any money with my artwork, both to him without me present and to my face. So let's add wife shaming to the picture. As far as I know, he hasn't asked anyone for a loan.
@Adventure Seeking Artist Thank you for your compassion. Actually, he is a wonderful supporter of my art, as I support his writing endeavors, it's the people who constantly ask him about me who are the judgmental non-supporters. The questions make him uncomfortable as well, as they are directed at shaming his choice of wife, intentionally or unintentionally.
You're not obligated to monetise your art. But our culture has become so gig-oriented, folks don't seem to comprehend a life where someone isn't doing everything they do just for money. I don't do my work with the intention of making money from it. (Although, it might be good if I did, so I can actually afford the hundreds of dollars I spend on artist grade coloured pencils. :D )
@@LonitaFraser Thank you, yes, to me, the first step when I became passionate again about my artwork as an adult, was just to create it, enjoy creating it, and practice along with all the other things I do in life. I have also developed a great love for cooking since I'm married. Hubby is not looking to give up the benefits of this any time soon. :)
@@ReviewsAndMore9 God willing they will not then be secretly hoping for my death :) They do benefit from my general hospitality, but it is my husband, children, and granddaughter that benefit the most from my life. So strange that others should have a feeling that they are entitled to as well. Did I fail to mention that the ones who express these passive-aggressive thoughts to my husband and myself are the friends and family that are unmarried men?
Such good advice (again) from you two. I’ve known I’m a REAL artist since I was about 16 . Long before I sold my first piece. I do belong to my local art guild because I like the social side of it. You can be with others who share a beautiful common interest. Don’t ever allow anyone to art shame you, that’s such negativity. You know in your heart your an artist. Own it!
I remember about a decade ago I tried to get my paintings posted on some art website, but was stopped by the questionnaire you had to fill out -- and your answers had to be approved -- to get in. One of the questions was literally this: Which school are you a part of (multiple choice, none of which I fit into and many of which I never even heard of and had to look up). The rest of the questions were almost that intimidating. I suspended my application and never went back. I also remember that Bob Ross and William Alexander were both told they weren't artists for various reasons, yet Alexander was a professional artist all his life and Ross's paintings are unavailable, but highly sought after. I just do what I do. The rest is all BS.
This reminds me of when I asked to join an artist group on Meetup and they refused me cause you know...I'm not doing art full time yet, so I'm not considered an artist. The worst part is they had in the description "all inclusive artist group" 🤨😒
GREAT VIDEO, a family member once told me "you are not an artist" it really knocked me down. But the more I learned about art the more I realized the were mistaken, I realized he meant a formal traditional artist, which is true. I jump around between diffrent medium (and photography) So I now agree with this person, in a positive way . I am not an "artist" I'm more then that, I consider my self a creative.
Before I got my degree, I had a booth at a city wide sale, and an older art lady told me that I "wasn't allowed to sell my artworks for such high prices without a degree" and that "no one wants to buy amateur artwork from unskilled children". I don't remember saying anything to her because she was like 70, and I just kept think about that phrase about respecting your elders. But she was a rude lady.
Love this! Great and encouraging! I think organizations for artists/musicians are trying to lift the importance and education of art to the benefit of the artists originally. Snobbery to match the Snobbery of the rich and powerful. Like minds seeking like minds and creating an environment for it. Oh, and a marketing environment to draw in new patrons and buyers. Unfortunately it creates seclusion of others that don't have the extra money to join etc. It is every where in all forms of professions:engineers, scientists, writers, labor unions... Box of salt for snobbery at all levels. You got to see through the peacocks feathers to see the other peacocks. Ha!
Well since you asked I'm here with my own art rant about the topic and some side notes on how I dealt with the additional problems art shame caused me. This is gonna be long sorry. In high-school some teachers had this 'If you have to learn you already failed' and 'If you don't know it without having to learn it first you're not good enough to be an artist' mentality. They sometimes dropped some small disjointed pieces of knowledge in front of us but we rarely deliberately practiced them in class or connected the pieces. The teachers usually just laughed at our failures or shouted at us for not knowing the basics and how stupid and incompetent we are. They also liked to compare our art to renaissance artists and told us that we should strive for that (which is great I love renaissance art) but they never gave much pointers to how to do that. I couldn't even draw straight lines (until January 2019 when I found Drawabox). During high-school and for about 3 years after high-school I was struggling to find the motivation to draw more than a few sketches. I went to different teachers but they usually just got angry because I didn't put much work into my assignments because I was so darn stressed whenever I started drawing which didn't help. I understand they wanted to help me and I never expressed my frustrations to them and they just probably thought I was lazy which is not their fault. At one point I was so afraid of drawing I had physical pain in my throat whenever I picked up a pencil. Like someone was pushing on the middle of my throat trying to choke me. So I decided to look deep inside myself and find that kid again and now I've got to a point where I can spend the whole day drawing with no problems. So I'm gonna share what helped me: I expected things to happen, I expected the drawings to be good I expected to know everything I expected to enjoy drawing. But that's not always the case. I don't have to draw if I don't feel like it (this takes away the guilt for not making art). I don't have to enjoy it (this takes away the guilt for not enjoying something you love and it loosens you up so you don't worry about enjoying it, worry throws even the possibility of enjoyment out the window) It doesn't have to be good. (this takes away the expectations of making something good, and the guilt for not doing so) I am not my mistakes my mistakes don't cap my potential. Mistakes are obstacles to overcome. Mistakes are pointers that help you figure out what you want and how to do it. Once you identify a mistake you can access why it is wrong for example an eye is too high on the face and then you know that if it's too high you'll have to put it a bit lower. I find something I like in every single drawing. If everything is off I just look at shapes and lines and deliberately look for the things I like about those shapes, lines, textures, colors or even just the color or texture of the paper or the sound the pencil makes when I draw with it. This helps me get through my worst drawings. It can actually help me make the drawing better. I consider art play. When I sit down to draw I sit down to play. Sure it has it's rules but hide and seek has rules too. If I just consider it work it sours the experience and I want to get to the end as fast as possible. The final thing I want to mention is I used to rush to the end I wanted a finished piece of art right now but it's much more fun to break the process up into manageable pieces and first making those pieces work. Every time I nail a line I feel happy and even if my art is not perfect (it never is) I'm still happy making it and it gives me the fuel to correct the mistakes that occur without the added burden of expecting the end product to be perfect. Anything anyone says is their own opinion that's shaped by their experiences and even their current mood. If someone says you are or aren't something that's just their opinion. Yes think about what they say but take it with a pinch of salt because YOU are the one who can see into your head what others say is a guess based on what they perceive (or what they want to perceive). It might be right it might be wrong it might be between the two. But these are just my guesses that worked for me. (Sorry if my English is bad I'm not a native English speaker.)
I love your perspective ! I’ve been art shamed in the past, but as luck would have it my memory just doesn’t hold on to the details of those things anymore! 😊 I do know that I only received those criticisms from People who were intimidated by my pieces. As if my creation was somehow going to displace them from their followers/fans.
A teacher seeing me at a serving job. She was basically saying if I'm not doing art full time then I'm not a real artist. Teachers in college who act like their career track is the only career track. It took 5 years out of college to realize that teachers teach what they know and that they don't know everything. I wish they would have asked "what do you fantasize your career looking like? " and then taught me how to get what i want. Not get what they think i should want.
I remember my art teacher in highschool made me restart a stylized acrylic and ink painting I did, because it wasn't realism. She said that it wasn't stylized it just looked like I was "uninformed". Would never let us work in anything other than realism. So glad to be out of there and working on my own painting what I want! So liberating to no longer have someone controlling your creative flow.
I have had this happen to me so so so many times.and unfortunately it comes from mostly other women artists. I remember so many people thought I was crazy wanting to work for Disney and were really mean to me about it because my work didn’t get into citrates shows in college... well screw those curated shows I went and worked for Disney as an artist! It is all subjective people!
I recently found you on YT and I thoroughly enjoy your videos. I checked out your artwork on your site, your pieces are beautiful... I’m glad you became an artist even after you were told you weren’t one. I’m thankful for your advice. I procrastinate terribly, I want to paint more, I have the time... but I’m so terrible... I’m my worst enemy. I need to be doing what you do, making it happen for myself. Keep up the beautiful and positive work you both do, you inspire many. 💕
You two have such brilliant attitudes about not only the art world but also life in general. As to my experience with art shaming, mine was when I first started touching-with-a-10-foot-pole the writing of novels. Almost 30 years ago now, I told my friend an impassioned story about how I had finally found my calling. For the first time, I noticed-I finally really saw--that I had spent my life surrounding myself with books. The chaos of searching for a self-concept suddenly locked into focus. Writing boiled away boredom and self-consciousness and worry and guilt. And I knew I never needed to fear anything again, because if something bad happened to me, it could just be fuel for a story. Instead of my friend saying he was happy for me, he said, “Well, you have to admit, though, that until someone is paying you to do this, it’s just a hobby.” From that point on, I hated that word. Why did money have to be the deciding factor for what I felt in my soul? Why did I have to wait until someone ELSE said I was a writer before I could feel like one? I learned that for people whose lives are fixated upon the acquisition of wealth, who are just “in it for the money,” words like passion have no meaning to them. Unless I could describe what I did in terms of annual income and ROI, I would be wasting my time trying to sketch out for them that feeling of when you just wrote something and the hair on the backs of your hands rises a little bit. How sweet the air tastes in that moment. Because they are just going to say, “So, what’s your day job?”
A conversation in a cafe, directly but not directly aimed at a friend of mine sat right next to me was started by another friend stating 'its a good thing to know your limitations'. Wow .. I never knew I had any and certainly my friend didn't but her faced dropped in realisation of what they were getting at. She had just removed a few of her paintings from a local window display to reframe and they assumed she'd taken them out because they weren't up to 'standard'. It was a put down to put her in her place (I could never be put in my place!). So i simply said, well lets turn that around and say there are no limitations and anything is possible. Now that's a philosophy that inspires me 😊
It's important to understand that the "art world" is a business. It is driven by a lot of people who make money marketing art. When we speak of galleries, organizations, and art critics it needs to be with the understanding that their agendas are not ours. They are middle men in the same way a realtor or a grocery store is a middle man organization. No matter how friendly or unfriendly the encounter - it's just business. As for the hang arounds who put you down - that's just yard dogs barking. I'm not trying to be a curmudgeon (although I probably am one.) I'm just restating what Rafi and Klee have said many times. Validate your own bad self and understand that people who try to neutralize you are pretty much speaking from atop a pile of their own personal baggage. Love the videos, thanks.
I went through that with my southern accent and curves and apparently, the galleries up in Boston use to not care for artist from West Virginia and Kentucky, where the Hatfield and McCoy feud was fought. I will never forget the day I lined up my work for this one gallery owner and he was like, "Wow! I can't believe that you did this. It is really good. I don't think it will fit in here though." All of that happened before we were considered a minority with the label of Appalachian American. Bet he would accept me now! You know since it isn't cool to be bias anymore.
I can't love this enough guys! My current struggle is not necessarily dealing with criticism but allowing people to get to know me.....for me. Thank you both for giving me the boost I sometimes need. :D
I love rants of total destruction equally as much as I love wierd ppl and art. I really dislike onions, tape that doesn't stick and GATEKEEPERS! The rest of the footage went fly a kite, cuz that sounds like a lot of fun 🤣 If I need to do Artisanbuttkissing to be an artist then I'm fine just being a Jez
And I love YOU! i found you only a week ago and so far after every video i've watched, I've screamed "PREACH!!!" several times throughout each one i've watched so far. This particular video, however, I feel especially passionate about. A while back, I was a part of a concept art community. While I wasn't told I wasn't an artist, I *was* told, however, that I wasn't a *professional* artist. Furthermore they made a distinction between students, pre-fessionals (what?) and pro-fessionals. At this point in my career, I have found the word "professional" to taste as vile as bile. Not only has it made my peers feel inadequate in their ability to make a living wage off of their art (even if they are making enough to be considered a business under our state laws), I have also seen an elitist attitude emerge between professionals and everyone else. Young artists do not feel worthy to even *speak* to someone deemed as professional! That's really sad! What artist--or human being--likes people fearing them because of their success? What artist likes sitting at a con and hearing 20-40 people say to someone they look up to "I should get out of your hair, you must think I'm annoying/keeping you from your work/think I'm stupid/i could never be like you"? I'd love to see a Rafi Rant about the term "professional" artists. My philosophy is to look at every artist, no matter their skill, income, or what-have-you, as another human being full of feelings, insecurities, hopes, and aspirations just like the rest of us.
I think my worst art shamer in the past has been myself. If I post a video or hang a painting in a show, it was as if I was lurking behind a potted plant, just waiting for the negative comment - I knew it! I suck! I may get 50 positive comments, but I would grab on to the negative and tuck it into my jacket right next to my heart and feed it tasty morsels. I've worked through most of that, learning to love and believe in myself and my work. But it takes stepping back, getting curious, and being aware of what we are telling ourselves, let alone the people out there!
As always another GREAT video! You are guys are awesome & you've helped me stay confident in not only my ability but to keep putting myself out there on my channel! Have a great day!
I just wanna tell you THANK YOU for all of your positivity. I have an overly-self-critical problem. I had been comparing my art to my other artist friends pieces and knowing that I'm not as good. Thanks to you an a few other great friends, I'm starting to accept my art style for what it is. There are some things that I just can't do, but lately I've made pieces I actually love. PS if you have time go check out my FB page because I've even uploaded my pieces onto my business page! See...I'm growing over here. Love you guys
I’ve been put down for any idea that I’ve shared, so I’ve struggled with depression and low self-esteem for a long time but for the last year I’ve felt pretty good because I asked myself what was I basing my worth and successes on? I realised it was all on information from people really just trying to sell me shit. I’m now basing it on how happy I am.
I came looking for a new video from you guys this morning because I needed it. Lol. I am not a painter but follow you because I like that you include all art forms in your message. I recently had bad experience with a customer. Ended up feeling like my piece alone was not enough. If I included this and this and this I could bring it to them. 😕 I declined but it has affected my motivation to get projects ready for a small upcoming craft show. Appreciate y’all here in Kentucky. 😄
Ouu I love that piece in the background with the black bird! It's such a striking piece of expression. Haven't even watched the video yet but I just had just share that. Also I had your other vid saved for a couple of months that I watched yesterday, the vid about receiving [not always good] advice as an artist. The synchronicity was real! Like I said I saved that video on my watch later MONTHS ago when I was just starting on my art career and needed all the encouragement I could get but forgot about the videos I had saved. It's equally encouraging and frustrating to know that we tend to deal with the same kind of comments and criticisms constantly as creatives. For whatever reason people just see it as an opportunity to give advice or opinion what have you to us when we rarely ever ask for it. Oftentimes it's usually disempowering like you mentioned. Anyways glad I discovered you two and looking forward to enjoying more of your videos! Thank you for sharing you experiences with us ☺️
Rafi since finding you Klee I have become more brave in creating and saying yes I did that. I have been criticized many times during my early years. I think it cuts deep and we hold onto those wounds. Your talks really help me. Thank you I had an artist tell me I painted like someone was coloring. He said it to hurt me. Even though it hurt my feeling really badly, I turned around and yelled. Jerry when I want your opinion I will ask you. Otherwise keep your mouth shut. He laughed I turned away. Hurt me and pissed me off too.
Before I even watched this video the first thing that popped into my head was the idea that some folks seem to have that if you're not making money from your art, or if you're not famous, then you're not a real artist, which is, of course, total guano. Making art makes you an artist. Period. I had an encounter with a local "legit artist" one time that sickened me, the complete details of which I can't make public, but one thing that I can share was the experience of having this person go over my portfolio ostensibly to give me general feedback and assist in choosing items for a show. She's looking through my book, looking, looking, and when she's done she says, "It's good enough for stuff you'd want to hang over your couch." Err, isn't that the point? She's one of those people that thinks that if art doesn't have some kind of deep, esoteric message, then it isn't real art. Which is, of course, total, again, guano. That woman was so far up herself it was unbelievable. She literally said that being an artist elevates you, and she didn't mean in a spiritual way. As for the arts community, I find it tends to deliberately isolate itself in order to keep people out, so that it can make itself feel special by virtue of being exclusionary. That ills me, utterly. I try to get everyone to create, with anything they have, because I truly believe we're all artists in one way or another, and it's only a matter of finding the medium that works for you.
And because I forgot to watch the last half of the video ... I avoid a lot of public art events specifically to avoid people in the arts community because of the already discussed ego-padding and deliberately abstruse or abusive commentary. They can stick that in the same cave the guano came from.
I've had artistic discouragement several times throughout my life, and I was just like, "Frick that noise! I'm going to be an artist no matter what people say! They can shame me, walk all over me, 'should' all over me. But I will not. be. deterred. from my dream of being a full time artist! Nothing and no one is going to stand in my way. I will not be gatekept from the art community. I love what I do, and even if I I can only do my art part time for now, I will make it work for me." 😊🖌️🎨
Ohmygosh I love you guys so much. As an empath, taking on your emotions makes this the best video ever! I totally got fired up with you. I feel that way about the publishing world too.💖💕 I’ve felt “Art-shamed” illustrating my children’s books. I am in a group that celebrates rejections. I kinda get it, but it also enforces the idea that our work is not good unless it is accepted by some low person on a totem pole of big publishers. Now, I’m still growing and learning, but I definitely have felt “self-publishing” shame, even though I’m educated and have done so much research. It’s like big industry (and even society) thinks we need to be affirmed by a “name” to be valuable. I’ll tell you what, I am valuable anyway. Still haven’t hit a sweet spot, just selling a piece here and there, but as I grow, my style is really coming through and I am totally gaining confidence! Thanks for all you do; you guys are totally awesome! (I’ve also been watching your channel grow-it’s amazing!)
(This got kind of long but basically I'm just saying I'm the only one telling myself I'm not a real artist because I don't create the kind of art I want to be creating because I don't have the skills required yet.) No one's ever told me directly I'm not a real artist, but it's something I struggle with telling myself a lot. I've been drawing for years, but only sketching for fun and now that I realise it's what I'm supposed to do for a career, I feel like I'm behind everyone else and that makes me not a real artist. It seems that most artists my age who want to pursue art are getting into art schools and/or have a good following on social media already. I'm not at the skill level to be accepted into an art school/program, and I haven't been sharing my work on instagram because it's so messy and seems unfinished, and not worth posting yet. I know I shouldn't wait until I think my work is good enough to share, because I could end up talking myself out of sharing it forever, but my artwork seems so amateur, and I feel like I need to practice more at it before I share anything. I also feel like I'm not a real artist yet because I don't have a deep meaning for wanting to create art. I just kind of draw things I like, because I have always enjoyed drawing. And I often don't feel like a real artist because so far, I've only used pencils. I want to paint but no matter how many instructional videos I watch or books I read, I totally can't grasp it and I feel like a failure because it seems like so many others are able to teach themselves painting. I guess I just have this assumption that unless I'm posting my artwork, I'm not and never will be a real artist, but I can't post my artwork until my pieces look how I want them to, and they won't look how I want them to until I can paint, and I can't figure out how to paint, so I'll never be a real artist. It's an endless cycle!! I spend so much time beating myself up over this and it's making me not even want to draw. And then I feel like not a real artist even more, because I'm focusing so much on being able to share my work and start a career out of it when I should just be making artwork. It's a mess! But I'm doing what I can to put an end to this thinking as best I can. I'm taking a drawing class so I can learn some fundamentals and then take a painting class. I'm trying not to beat myself up just because I need in person instruction in order to really grasp certain things. I just get so frustrated that my art doesn't look how I want it to and I don't even want to share art that doesn't fit what I want my art to be... That's about as organised as I can get these thoughts to be. Your channel has been a BIG help though thank you!!! Can't wait to get the book :D
I’m a paper crafter and card maker. I sometimes dabble in mixed media, and at Christmas time I make ornaments as gifts. I don’t do what I do to sell it; I do it because I love it and it makes people happy. I’ve had people tell me I should sell my cards, but I just don’t want to do that at this point. But, who knows. Anyway, as I listened to your video, I was reminded of a time many years ago when I was working for the government I got passed over for a promotion. I had been working for the agency for at least 10 years at this point and already doing the exact job I applied for. After all was said and done, I wasn’t selected. The person they chose had only been with the agency less than a year and was doing a totally unrelated job. When I wasn’t selected, knowing how well qualified I was, I asked why they didn’t choose me. The answer was that she had a college degree, and I didn’t. My next question, “was that a prerequisite for this job?” No, it wasn’t. Regardless, she got the job and I was left shaking my head and wondering what kinds of idiots were making job selections!!! I know this isn’t art related, but it’s still the same kind of bullying or discrimination.
I think the thing that bothers me the most is when people just go "uh huh" and have a knowing look. What does it mean? Do they like my work, do they dislike my work, do they think I'm doing the wrong or right thing? Why do I care!! To be honest I'm more bothered that I allow it to annoy me. The best responses I've had, have been, "that's amazing, wish I was that brave," and "if this is what you want to do, I will support you every step of the way." The silent 'uh, huhers' are not worth worrying about. Love your posts, they always come at a good time. I am an Artist and I am proud that I am living my dream without the help of the establishment, galleries and associations. Keep up the Awesomeness :)
Whether they like it or hate it, you just don't want them to ignore it. Seems like no one is ignoring your work. So that's what's important. Keep going.
I have a sister who went to art school for graphic design. She paints graphic work and patterns. I paint figures. Sometimes my Mom devalues my work because I didn’t go to school for art. I am in my 50s. Regardless if I went to school or not, I still have to do all the hard work to learn to draw and paint original figures. I used to let it make me feel bad until I got cancer last year. After surgery to remove it, I decided my art life was mine and I wasn’t going to allow others to get in my head. I also released the fear of good or bad art. When I was a child in kindergarten, I would sit on the edge of my chair with a foot out to run for the easel when the teacher called free time. That 5 year old just wanted to paint. Now, I approach painting like a child who just wants to paint without a care. My art has taken huge strides forward in technique and creativity because I just paint for the love of it.
This video was super timely and topical for me. Just yesterday I was bubbling over with imposter syndrome, courtesy of the extra challenge I added for myself to this year's Inktober. Your perspective and the humor and love you both share always help me to silence the inner gaslighter voice who LIES TO ME!!! Most of the time I know it by the smell (the distinct smell of bullsh*t - thank you Practical Magic), but sometimes it sneaks up on me. I figure the people who talk like that about a particular organization have a financial interest in the success of said group. It totally smacks of self-importance and self aggrandizement for the purpose of manufacturing desire and legitimacy for themselves so they can sell there art for more money, or even at all. Thank you both for the smiles and encouragement your presence on the earth and the youtoobz bring. ♥♥
My dad told me once “you are an artist, first and foremost! When you sign your name you place the title “Artist” alongside your name.” The man was a genius. Always good vids! :)! Lol!
My motto “If you’re doing something creative, regardless of medium, skill level, ECT you ARE a real artist”
Does Klee ever notice the light in your eyes when she pop's off with a good one? Rafi is just as serious as a serious gets, and pauses.. Then Klee flies in with a real punch line! Rafi you adore Klee don't you? I love you guys. You two are loaded with talent!
I know, right? So, so sweet whenever he looks at her.
I was thinking along those lines, but the other way round. Klee absolutely adores Rafi. It's great to see them working together and having fun as a team.
"It's so nice that stay at home mums have hobbies. Can I have this cute little painting?"
"Yes. That one is $200. Do you want to pay cash or direct debit?"
Kate McMurrich Perfection.
This is absolutely the correct answer. I hope she bought it.
@@cindybryden6607 she didn't but I sold it later that day so 🤷
I will remember this one. Just brilliant Kate.
I'm gonna try to keep this short, but this just happened yesterday and I have to share!
There is a large juried art show in my town this weekend, "An Occasion for the Arts" and I was told "you should do the kind of art that gets you in that show!" I asked "why?" And the reply I got was, "so that you will be on your way to becoming a 'real' artist" (insert my resting bi*ch face with added slow blinks, here). Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the show every year, it's a good time, there's lots of beautiful art, great people & musicians, etc. But it's not me...I make art that I enjoy...keywords: I - Make - Art...call me crazy, but I think that makes me an - Artist - Just sayin!😉 Y'all are the best!!!😍
Tell them to go fly a kite!
@@thatvamp 😆😉Yes!!! Thanks!!
I was my own worst gallery shamer for a long time. Had to tell myself to fly a kite. I did but there was no wind. So I went back to art and pretended none of it ever happened and ignored my inner jerkface. I did have a motivating experience. I went to an artist owned gallery and an oil painter was runner the gallery that day. I admired her work and she asked if I painted. I sheepishly said I do Digital art and expressed it's not as challenging as what she did. I could undo mistakes. She laughed and said she fixed mistakes all the time. She expressed I shouldn't short change myself and pursue it all. She was an Oracle I think. I did an oil painting that weekend.
“Am I not turtlely enough for the Turtle Club?”
I had a different experience with gallery owners. I did not know I was a artist till a gallery owner visiting my home saw my work and ask if I had ever shown it any where. I have been painting for decades but it never occured to me anyone other than family members would like my work. After that show another gallery owner ask me to be artist on site at his gallery. It has been a mostly good journey since. Not all galleries are bad.
I just started my art career. Only have completed a few pieces but I post them everywhere i can. My art is on the darker side. I love horror and tbh i have been through alot in my life and that shows in my art. So after I posted this one piece I had someone comment basically saying I was weird for creating the art I do I should never Express myself again and should quit doing art. I didnt give a reply back but several of my friends did and basically roasted her for coming at me like that and defending my art. Was the single greatest feeling knowing that people truly had my back and understanding why I create the art I do.
I think that person was a jerk. We all have our own styles, and ain't nobody can say anything about it. My own art is drawing, painting and photography, and covers genres like fantasy, historical , pinups, scifi and others.
My art is light, dark, hopeful, despairing, funny, dead serious, erotic, chaste, and everything in between.
After all, my art is MINE. As yours is yours. I ain't listening to anyone saying my art is anything other than art.
@@williamkeogh710 exactly man. My art is very dark and kinds creepy in nature. That's just because not only have I been through alot but also I just love horror and dark stuff. I was and will continue to create art the way I want to. It's my way of expression. It's what I like. If you dont like it. Then don't buy it simple. The only thing that actually kinds pissed me off what that she told me I should be expressing my self. Basically she wants everyone to create positive pieces and happy faces. That's just not me. You should never tell anyone that they shouldn't Express something the way they want to. Thats the beauty with art. We have that ability to convey our message however we see fit
@@phantaowl8907 I am glad you didn't let the person get to you. Keep on making your art your way.
@@williamkeogh710 you too man. Stay true to your craft. Fuck the haters do what you want.
Phanta Owl Have you heard of a Polish artist called Bershinski he work is quite dark but I like it
Bravo. My “fav” question: “how LONG have you been an artist?” Uh, since I as old enough to hold a crayon?!? I honestly can’t remember a time when I wasn’t an artist!
exactly! my standard reply is "all my life!"
Art runs through me like the words in a stick of rock.
(I'm a Welsh/British artist, I'm not sure if a stick of rock is a British thing?.... ).
Anyway, I've always been an artist.
I can not like this video enough! This message just reached to my soul (as an artist!) I only within the past 2 months started calling myself an artist because of you and this ongoing message!
I’m still working a full time job until I get my $$ world cleaned up, but I’m an Artist first. My HUGEST irritation is when people make some comment including the word “hobby”, like my art can’t possibly be my primary career and the boring office job supplemental. I shut that s@&$ down right now!
I'm with you. I'm finding now though once I start selling art and growing, the supportive people who looked at my art as a hobby are becoming less supportive and more discouraging.
I live with my 96 year old dad and one day, recently he called my studio my "play room". And I'm 63 years old! I'm not sure how I would have reacted if it had been a non-family person, but I shut him down right away.
@@naynay3710 I had a friend that wanted me to paint prototype helmets. He started his pitch, "how you like if someone actually paid you for your art". I replied they already do. He was puzzled and offered me 20.00 for the job.
Even if I could support myself with revenues generated from my art alone, I would still have a day's job so I could have human interactions.
There is a difference between an hobbyists and someone make art part-time, you would know from their marketing efforts and studio practice.
If I isolate myself in the studio for 6 months to a year, I would probably develop agoraphobia or start sending pieces of my ear by mail.
Okay, up front, I have more than one "interest" in the arts/crafts... SO I have more hobbies than careers (at the moment).
Here's the thing about the technical terms.
It's still a "hobby" when you don't get more cash out of it than you're putting in.
HOWEVER, the very instant, you start regularly making more money than it takes to pay for the hobby, you have become a PROFESSIONAL... period.
When I sketch, I do batches, and mostly adult themed. I then copy them off in sets, bind them, and decorate the covers... Those become "adult coloring books" and sell regularly for FAR MORE than they ever cost me to produce. SO... BAM! Just like that, I'm a professional sketch artist.
However, I'm still experimenting and tend to keep much more of my productions in Leather Carving... SO while I am forced to make that hobby's investment minimal and still get enough returns to cut losses... I do take commissions, and I am getting better... As a Leather Carver, specifically, I'm still happily enough a "Hobbyist"...
In leather-craft (the general sewing tooling and construction of useful leather things... from tack and harness to pouches, wallets, key-fob covers, and so forth... even relining leather jackets and repairing leather chaps... I make considerably better than I invest... even including time. SO I am a professional leather-craftsman.
We can dally on and on in the categories of how I'm a pro' at fine wood-work, but still a hobby carpenter (framing or construction)... and painting is rather dependent, yet... BUT I'll spare you the rest of that library. There is nothing wrong with taking on some type or style of work that remains "in the hobby phase" until you do better than make it "pay for itself".
Bottom line? I wouldn't get too pissed about people mentioning "hobby". Just like it's not MY responsibility to protect you from your own inner demons, it's also NOT your responsibility to know how dedicated or long I've been at any one particular craft or art. NOR do you have any need to know that I've been a paid professional storyteller (for instance) some twenty or so years... Most of those folks are angling for a negotiable deal. Obviously, how you handle the negotiations (and tactics) is up to you. I often quietly double my original asking price, which either runs the fowl beasts off, or garners enough compensation for putting up with snide remarks as a negotiating tactic. ;o)
I got fired up just listening to you. Totally agree. 👍 I always thought an artist was someone who created art lol
Well as far as art shaming...the worse was when a professor told my whole class while in life drawing, he didn't know why we were there and we should all become chefs or something. That really bothered me for a LONG time. That comment pops up and haunts me to this day. Your videos have done so much in way of keeping me motivated and in the right mind set. I wish more teachers/professors were like you. Thank you for all the hard work you do!
Cindy Diel When I was a young singer, I auditioned for a certain teacher, was accepted into the studio, and *moved halfway across the US* to study with him. After about a year, in an open studio lesson, he humiliated me by saying he wondered what he heard in me, I had no high notes, why was he wasting his time.
These people are frauds, fakes, and all-round bad people.
It took a long while for me to forgive that teacher, and go on.
Art profs SUCK. That sort of happened to me. That guy all these years on panders to a small snooty audience with crap "art."
The fact that your professor could make a blanket statement, like saying ALL of the students were not artists, shows he was not a teacher. He was a bigot.
Cindy Diel sounds like he was in a bad mood and just being an asshole. What he said had nothing to do with any of you.
@@attheranch873 I want to say thank you to all the uplifting comments. I am touched by all the support. Thank You!
My daughter Kassy (Kolorful Kas) was selected to publish some art in her high school written art book but was eventually left out of the final publishing. She was excited but untimely disappointed. But she did what she always does... brushed it of and created more art (no pun intended). She then entered two local gallery juried art shows and placed 1st, 2nd and honorable mention in one show and 1st, 3rd and honorable mention at the other. I always tell her that she doesn't have to believe that she is and artist, she IS and artist. She has been creating since she was at least 3 years old. Currently she is attending college full time, while still painting, creating digital art, manning her social media (Facebook page, Instagram and TH-cam channel), working a graphic design internship, doing a few painting commissions and some graphic design commissions AND enjoying life.
I've used all forms of art and go though phases of what I'm most involved in. Whenever I start up my needle work I always get, "oh that's just thread and shapes, nothing to it!" or "oh so you're not actually 'gifted' with real medium?" and i'm just like, ok Nancy say it when I have my needle and scissors out. Needle work, pastels, and watercolor are my go to's, so it's kind of a slap in the face when people, who aren't even into art, being to criticize or jump to strange conclusions.
I was "successfully" art shamed in college (1977 if you know your art history was a brutal time to claim to be an artist) after I'd been painting commissions and selling work for a handful of years. I stopped--but I did manage to add art to the other stuff I ended up doing, and just resurrected my art phoenix a couple of years ago. Watched this video while editing photos of art for my freeby Weebly website that only like two people know exists--after getting up super-early to do the "day job" and running outside with canvases and camera to take advantage of a cloudy 20 minutes--but it's all good. :) Better this than going into my "golden years" in utter defeat. Go fly a kite, Professor K....
Jenna Caruthers I am 62 and I totally agree!
Why "brutal time" please elaborate :)
It is self-image. Some of us need external validation but whoever is convinced that they are artist would feel reborn from that point on.
I had a wonderfully supportive music teacher in school who used to say that any time you create something for the pleasure of it, not because it was necessary, not because you were told to do it, but because you derived some joy or pleasure from the act of creating it - that is art and that makes you an artist. My brother was recently dismayed because of the insane costs to go to a "good" art school and had to settle for plan b. Although I think he will do well in this other field and be fulfilled, it pained me to see him give up his dream because he couldn't meet the "requirements" to become a real artist. I'm currently trying to push him to keep painting/drawing/making whatever because he has so much to offer the world with his work.
If he's stuck, have him study marketing (which you use in business and art business), and take all kinds of online art classes. Most of the stuff on youtube is superior to what I learned at "Art School" in 3 years, so he's not missing much to be honest.
Tell your brother never once has a buyer of my work liked a piece, gotten out their credit card then stopped and said "oh, by the way, did you go to art school?" and then put away their card and put the piece back "sorry, love it, perfect for me...but unless you have your Bachelors of Art I just can't". LOL. Know what happens to those who finish art college? They have school loan debt up to the eyeballs and never once need to mention the damn degree/diploma that put them in debt because unless working for some high end graphic design company or as an animator for Disney, no one cares, it never even comes up.
I struggle with feeling legit because I don’t sell my work, I do it for love and I give things away. You guys really rock.
Great stuff as always! You know the snobs in the art community are still trying to have as much control as they can! As consumers continue to get more comfortable buying art online and directly from the artists, this cut out the middleman, the Galleries. As a result, many of them are closing. Due to social media, we no longer have to be in a gallery in order for our art to get noticed! We don’t have to be in this gallery or that gallery to be considered legit artists! We no longer have to fork over 40+ % in commissions to have them sell our work. Those wall have fallen and we have the ability to reach a global audience ourselves and grow our own clientele!
I produce digital art that is done in an oil painting style! More often than not, people are intrigued by my work. But sometimes people look at me funny when they find out that what they see is not a reproduction of a painting. They have no idea how much goes into photographing the scene to begin with as well as what’s involved in producing the final work! To some of them, it’s not real art! We generate our art in whatever mediums and styles that we prefer. We then share our works with the world! If a piece resonates with a potential buyer, they can talk directly with the artist to acquire it! That’s how it should be and I absolutely love it!
I consider myself to be a legitimate artist! I have been for some time now! Sure, I’ve worked in other disciplines and professions in parallel, but that doesn’t change anything! I’m a real artist and later today, this real artist will be selling his real art at a real art fair to real people!
I wish nothing but continued success to all of my fellow artists out there! 👍🏾😁
" shaming people is SOOO last year"
😂😂😂 Love alll this video, blips and all
Cos the "blip" was not a "blip" after all, but an improved expression of genuine sharing if your wisdoms 👍
Thanks Rafi & Klee
Total awesomeness ...and yes, I was singing your jingle ...cheers
I was in college and an advanced student said that I obviously had no talent and should just go home. I responded that my excuse for not producing a “masterpiece” was lack of instruction and experience, what was his excuse? You have been here 4 years already and you still suck! The instructor told us to cool out and say nothing if we could not be constructive. I just left and went out for a Coke! Good to see you still get worked up about injustice and bigotry, I salute you both!
This is going to be good.
The thing i ussually get when i show something i made,whether it's a video,or a project,hobbie,anything i made and you can tell it took time. It's this comment, "You have too much time". I've gotten that since i was in my late teens and started actually doing something that i liked to do. It did and has shamed me,i stopped creating for awhile or i just didn't tell people what i like to do.
But you can't stop creating for long and i got back to it ,now i create just about daily. My stuff has improved. When i get told i have too much time,i hold my tounge but i still make things and don't let it bother me as much.
Oh yeah, "You have way too much time on your hands." I've heard that one a million times, which is just another way of saying they think you’re lazy.
Comments like this always puzzle me at their stupidity. It's like how people who are overweight are treated. Strangers stare and talk behind their backs about how lazy that person must be. None of them ever seem to know--or perhaps care--that the cravings of a compulsive eater are equivalent to the cravings of a heroin addict. And, it's funny, I've never seen any one of those helpful Samaritans tell a heroin addict, "Why don't you just eat a salad?"
I agree with Harlan Ellison who once ranted, “People always say they are entitled to their opinion. No, you’re entitled to your INFORMED opinion.”
@@SamReevesWrites What gets me is that you can say that about anything. Oh you ran a marathon ? You built a house? You wrote a book?
Well, You have too much time on your hands,get a job you hippie!
Salazar Art Nation I was told that once, I found it to be a confusing put down.
@@attheranch873 It is,It's one that can mess with your mind. Especially if you're struggling with low self esteem and making art is an outlet for you. I've overcome alot of that old way of thinking. Alot of the people that used to criticize me that way now come to me and ask for my help. 😁
Ugh...what a stupid comment. What did the commenter create? Years ago I was in to crochet. I made a little purse start to finish in one night, and carried it proudly to work the next day. My boss said, "you've got to much time." What an a$#!
First of all, I have to say that although I am not an artist in the sense of paint and canvas (for me, it's fashion neckwear,) your videos are extremely relevant. I was sharing the contents of one of your videos with a fellow creative recently, and he told me he is subscribed to you. At least two people in the Boogie Down enjoy your videos.
For me, my stories of art deals more with culture. I know I do not fit in with where I live. And although networking with locals have been a pleasant surprise, I still feel the burden of feeling that I have to look and act a way that I am not in order to be successful where I am. My attitude is that I can't change who I am.
You're not the only one from the boogie down who feels this way. I'm glad I have an artistic brother out there somewhere in the Bx who connects to this post too. Keep being you. You do fit in. You fit with the rest of us who are unusual, different, and uncategorized.
No worries about the lost footage!! You guys are amazing for re-recording and working with the camera messing up. I'm glad yall made this video, it's a very important topic and many of us definitely needed to hear this :)
I'm all over the place with what I draw, because I can be. I've been told more than once that what I make isn't art because a lot of it is nude so it's just trashy. Art is art. And how I express myself is up to me and no one else.
BTW thank you for sharing your experiences. You guys are the best!
If someone ever came to me and said "you need to be part of an association to be a real artist " I would say "oh, but I am! I'm part of the artists that don't give a f*** association "
You're absolutely correct.
Love this! At the last family gathering someone asked me in a whisper “....so how’s...you know...your art thing going?” Like ina low whisper so nobody could hear 🤷🏻♀️😂
Right now, I am still dealing with how my father dragged me into doing things when he was around because "I wasn't doing anything." This was in spite of being in front of the sewing machine, holding the iron in my hand, and trying to take pictures.
Be Brave Awsome Advise.
I
Loved when people dont believe your an artist then they see your work and look at you and say oh! you are an artist. Peace you all and thanks as always . Eddie
You guys are amazing! Thank you for the timeless confidence! You two are like art therapists for artists!!!
Rafi, Klee, you guys go!!!💪👍 I've felt like this for a long time.
I think it's about snobbery, elitism, bullying, and GATEKEEPERS. I don't feel this is going on just in the art world.... BUT I am SO GLAD you guys brought this up.
My thoughts, if they shut their doors to you.... let them know their not the only game in town. Go out on your own and give them a run for their money. Be a success on your own, make them sorry they didn't take you in. SUCCESS is always the best revenge 🤭😃.
No gallery shaming here. -YOU GUYS ROCK!!! AND I LOVE YOU♥️😘😆
Chow.🙋
Oh my gosh, I couldn’t agree more. Anyone who is a brave creative is my hero.
Some of Hubby's friends and family ask all too often if I am making any money with my artwork, both to him without me present and to my face. So let's add wife shaming to the picture. As far as I know, he hasn't asked anyone for a loan.
@Adventure Seeking Artist Thank you for your compassion. Actually, he is a wonderful supporter of my art, as I support his writing endeavors, it's the people who constantly ask him about me who are the judgmental non-supporters. The questions make him uncomfortable as well, as they are directed at shaming his choice of wife, intentionally or unintentionally.
You're not obligated to monetise your art. But our culture has become so gig-oriented, folks don't seem to comprehend a life where someone isn't doing everything they do just for money.
I don't do my work with the intention of making money from it. (Although, it might be good if I did, so I can actually afford the hundreds of dollars I spend on artist grade coloured pencils. :D )
@@LonitaFraser Thank you, yes, to me, the first step when I became passionate again about my artwork as an adult, was just to create it, enjoy creating it, and practice along with all the other things I do in life. I have also developed a great love for cooking since I'm married. Hubby is not looking to give up the benefits of this any time soon. :)
Van Gogh never sold a painting while he was alive. Now his work sells for millions. Tell them that and it should shut them up for good, hopefully.
@@ReviewsAndMore9 God willing they will not then be secretly hoping for my death :) They do benefit from my general hospitality, but it is my husband, children, and granddaughter that benefit the most from my life. So strange that others should have a feeling that they are entitled to as well. Did I fail to mention that the ones who express these passive-aggressive thoughts to my husband and myself are the friends and family that are unmarried men?
That's right! Yep... That's right. Don't get too mad. Remember those people are feeling bad about themselves. They might even be jealous.
Such good advice (again) from you two. I’ve known I’m a REAL artist since I was about 16 . Long before I sold my first piece. I do belong to my local art guild because I like the social side of it. You can be with others who share a beautiful common interest.
Don’t ever allow anyone to art shame you, that’s such negativity. You know in your heart your an artist. Own it!
THIS is what I'm talking about! It drives me nuts what some people say...thanks for the great video as usual, guys! :)
Klee love the shirt! "you rock" "You rule" See? Loaded.
I am loving the bird in the background...oh shit it is escaping a person! So cool!
Thank you, Guys! We are energetic beings seeking to escape all this societal insanity!
I remember about a decade ago I tried to get my paintings posted on some art website, but was stopped by the questionnaire you had to fill out -- and your answers had to be approved -- to get in. One of the questions was literally this: Which school are you a part of (multiple choice, none of which I fit into and many of which I never even heard of and had to look up). The rest of the questions were almost that intimidating. I suspended my application and never went back.
I also remember that Bob Ross and William Alexander were both told they weren't artists for various reasons, yet Alexander was a professional artist all his life and Ross's paintings are unavailable, but highly sought after.
I just do what I do. The rest is all BS.
This reminds me of when I asked to join an artist group on Meetup and they refused me cause you know...I'm not doing art full time yet, so I'm not considered an artist. The worst part is they had in the description "all inclusive artist group" 🤨😒
GOOD LORD, THAT'S TERRIBLE. IT'S JUST A FLIPPIN' MEETUP, PEOPLE.
@@fetterflyarts I know, I don't get it, seems the art world is many people looking down on others, but we all start somewhere our art careers..
GREAT VIDEO, a family member once told me "you are not an artist" it really knocked me down. But the more I learned about art the more I realized the were mistaken, I realized he meant a formal traditional artist, which is true. I jump around between diffrent medium (and photography) So I now agree with this person, in a positive way . I am not an "artist" I'm more then that, I consider my self a creative.
Before I got my degree, I had a booth at a city wide sale, and an older art lady told me that I "wasn't allowed to sell my artworks for such high prices without a degree" and that "no one wants to buy amateur artwork from unskilled children". I don't remember saying anything to her because she was like 70, and I just kept think about that phrase about respecting your elders. But she was a rude lady.
Love this! Great and encouraging! I think organizations for artists/musicians are trying to lift the importance and education of art to the benefit of the artists originally. Snobbery to match the Snobbery of the rich and powerful. Like minds seeking like minds and creating an environment for it. Oh, and a marketing environment to draw in new patrons and buyers. Unfortunately it creates seclusion of others that don't have the extra money to join etc. It is every where in all forms of professions:engineers, scientists, writers, labor unions... Box of salt for snobbery at all levels. You got to see through the peacocks feathers to see the other peacocks. Ha!
Well since you asked I'm here with my own art rant about the topic and some side notes on how I dealt with the additional problems art shame caused me. This is gonna be long sorry.
In high-school some teachers had this 'If you have to learn you already failed' and 'If you don't know it without having to learn it first you're not good enough to be an artist' mentality. They sometimes dropped some small disjointed pieces of knowledge in front of us but we rarely deliberately practiced them in class or connected the pieces. The teachers usually just laughed at our failures or shouted at us for not knowing the basics and how stupid and incompetent we are. They also liked to compare our art to renaissance artists and told us that we should strive for that (which is great I love renaissance art) but they never gave much pointers to how to do that. I couldn't even draw straight lines (until January 2019 when I found Drawabox). During high-school and for about 3 years after high-school I was struggling to find the motivation to draw more than a few sketches. I went to different teachers but they usually just got angry because I didn't put much work into my assignments because I was so darn stressed whenever I started drawing which didn't help. I understand they wanted to help me and I never expressed my frustrations to them and they just probably thought I was lazy which is not their fault. At one point I was so afraid of drawing I had physical pain in my throat whenever I picked up a pencil. Like someone was pushing on the middle of my throat trying to choke me. So I decided to look deep inside myself and find that kid again and now I've got to a point where I can spend the whole day drawing with no problems. So I'm gonna share what helped me:
I expected things to happen, I expected the drawings to be good I expected to know everything I expected to enjoy drawing. But that's not always the case. I don't have to draw if I don't feel like it (this takes away the guilt for not making art). I don't have to enjoy it (this takes away the guilt for not enjoying something you love and it loosens you up so you don't worry about enjoying it, worry throws even the possibility of enjoyment out the window) It doesn't have to be good. (this takes away the expectations of making something good, and the guilt for not doing so)
I am not my mistakes my mistakes don't cap my potential. Mistakes are obstacles to overcome. Mistakes are pointers that help you figure out what you want and how to do it. Once you identify a mistake you can access why it is wrong for example an eye is too high on the face and then you know that if it's too high you'll have to put it a bit lower.
I find something I like in every single drawing. If everything is off I just look at shapes and lines and deliberately look for the things I like about those shapes, lines, textures, colors or even just the color or texture of the paper or the sound the pencil makes when I draw with it. This helps me get through my worst drawings. It can actually help me make the drawing better.
I consider art play. When I sit down to draw I sit down to play. Sure it has it's rules but hide and seek has rules too. If I just consider it work it sours the experience and I want to get to the end as fast as possible.
The final thing I want to mention is I used to rush to the end I wanted a finished piece of art right now but it's much more fun to break the process up into manageable pieces and first making those pieces work. Every time I nail a line I feel happy and even if my art is not perfect (it never is) I'm still happy making it and it gives me the fuel to correct the mistakes that occur without the added burden of expecting the end product to be perfect.
Anything anyone says is their own opinion that's shaped by their experiences and even their current mood. If someone says you are or aren't something that's just their opinion. Yes think about what they say but take it with a pinch of salt because YOU are the one who can see into your head what others say is a guess based on what they perceive (or what they want to perceive). It might be right it might be wrong it might be between the two.
But these are just my guesses that worked for me.
(Sorry if my English is bad I'm not a native English speaker.)
Krisztina Nagy your teachers were abusive, they were traumatizing you. I think you are amazing for finding your way out of that.
I love your perspective ! I’ve been art shamed in the past, but as luck would have it my memory just doesn’t hold on to the details of those things anymore! 😊 I do know that I only received those criticisms from
People who were intimidated by my pieces. As if my creation was somehow going to displace them from their followers/fans.
A teacher seeing me at a serving job. She was basically saying if I'm not doing art full time then I'm not a real artist. Teachers in college who act like their career track is the only career track. It took 5 years out of college to realize that teachers teach what they know and that they don't know everything. I wish they would have asked "what do you fantasize your career looking like? " and then taught me how to get what i want. Not get what they think i should want.
When "non artist" friends say they can only draw stick figures, i tell them stick figures are important.
I've got into a gallery a few times and people still think I am not an artist.
Boo those people
On the bright side at least no one destroys your art. I'd rather pl say im not a real artist. Conjuring emotions. Vs destroying my art.
@@leosuniverse :(
Rafi, you rock! Klee, you rule! Your videos are always uplifting, inspiring or just helpful in some way. Thank you!
Loved the rant guys, and the new intro.
I remember my art teacher in highschool made me restart a stylized acrylic and ink painting I did, because it wasn't realism. She said that it wasn't stylized it just looked like I was "uninformed". Would never let us work in anything other than realism. So glad to be out of there and working on my own painting what I want! So liberating to no longer have someone controlling your creative flow.
👍👍💙💚 loving this rant
Let's unpack the bullying and invalidating aspects of the artworld and, sadly, other artists
I have had this happen to me so so so many times.and unfortunately it comes from mostly other women artists. I remember so many people thought I was crazy wanting to work for Disney and were really mean to me about it because my work didn’t get into citrates shows in college... well screw those curated shows I went and worked for Disney as an artist! It is all subjective people!
Bingo! You already know my story and THANK YOU for helping me get out of it. {{{hugs}}}
I recently found you on YT and I thoroughly enjoy your videos. I checked out your artwork on your site, your pieces are beautiful... I’m glad you became an artist even after you were told you weren’t one. I’m thankful for your advice. I procrastinate terribly, I want to paint more, I have the time... but I’m so terrible... I’m my worst enemy. I need to be doing what you do, making it happen for myself. Keep up the beautiful and positive work you both do, you inspire many. 💕
You two have such brilliant attitudes about not only the art world but also life in general.
As to my experience with art shaming, mine was when I first started touching-with-a-10-foot-pole the writing of novels.
Almost 30 years ago now, I told my friend an impassioned story about how I had finally found my calling. For the first time, I noticed-I finally really saw--that I had spent my life surrounding myself with books. The chaos of searching for a self-concept suddenly locked into focus. Writing boiled away boredom and self-consciousness and worry and guilt. And I knew I never needed to fear anything again, because if something bad happened to me, it could just be fuel for a story.
Instead of my friend saying he was happy for me, he said, “Well, you have to admit, though, that until someone is paying you to do this, it’s just a hobby.”
From that point on, I hated that word. Why did money have to be the deciding factor for what I felt in my soul? Why did I have to wait until someone ELSE said I was a writer before I could feel like one?
I learned that for people whose lives are fixated upon the acquisition of wealth, who are just “in it for the money,” words like passion have no meaning to them. Unless I could describe what I did in terms of annual income and ROI, I would be wasting my time trying to sketch out for them that feeling of when you just wrote something and the hair on the backs of your hands rises a little bit. How sweet the air tastes in that moment. Because they are just going to say, “So, what’s your day job?”
I love listening to you both so much, I can’t even... ❤️
Awww.. Klee is adorable! Great vid!
A conversation in a cafe, directly but not directly aimed at a friend of mine sat right next to me was started by another friend stating 'its a good thing to know your limitations'. Wow .. I never knew I had any and certainly my friend didn't but her faced dropped in realisation of what they were getting at. She had just removed a few of her paintings from a local window display to reframe and they assumed she'd taken them out because they weren't up to 'standard'. It was a put down to put her in her place (I could never be put in my place!). So i simply said, well lets turn that around and say there are no limitations and anything is possible. Now that's a philosophy that inspires me 😊
I agree with you 100 percent
This video is so wonderful. Thank you for being your sharing, encouraging selves. Artist bullies. Love it 👍🏻🥰🥰🥰🥰
Dimes to donuts those thumbs down come from shamers😝
Thank you. Sincerely :) Also, Klee, I love the bouncy new ponytail!
Awesome ,art work, mmmmmmm happy to see you & your lady. Calif, palm 🌴springs -
Excellent pep talk! Swipe right.
You two are like my art parents. Seriously. I love you guys. -Sophia
@@Rafiwashere 🥰🥰🥰
Your wonderful, you say it so well. Appreciate your motivating spirit.
It's important to understand that the "art world" is a business. It is driven by a lot of people who make money marketing art. When we speak of galleries, organizations, and art critics it needs to be with the understanding that their agendas are not ours. They are middle men in the same way a realtor or a grocery store is a middle man organization. No matter how friendly or unfriendly the encounter - it's just business. As for the hang arounds who put you down - that's just yard dogs barking.
I'm not trying to be a curmudgeon (although I probably am one.) I'm just restating what Rafi and Klee have said many times. Validate your own bad self and understand that people who try to neutralize you are pretty much speaking from atop a pile of their own personal baggage.
Love the videos, thanks.
I went through that with my southern accent and curves and apparently, the galleries up in Boston use to not care for artist from West Virginia and Kentucky, where the Hatfield and McCoy feud was fought. I will never forget the day I lined up my work for this one gallery owner and he was like, "Wow! I can't believe that you did this. It is really good. I don't think it will fit in here though." All of that happened before we were considered a minority with the label of Appalachian American. Bet he would accept me now! You know since it isn't cool to be bias anymore.
Amen Rafi!!!!
I can't love this enough guys! My current struggle is not necessarily dealing with criticism but allowing people to get to know me.....for me. Thank you both for giving me the boost I sometimes need. :D
Great, encouraging video as usual. Love you both and appreciate your time and efforts you put into US. ❤️
I love rants of total destruction equally as much as I love wierd ppl and art.
I really dislike onions, tape that doesn't stick and GATEKEEPERS!
The rest of the footage went fly a kite, cuz that sounds like a lot of fun 🤣
If I need to do Artisanbuttkissing to be an artist then I'm fine just being a Jez
And I love YOU!
i found you only a week ago and so far after every video i've watched, I've screamed "PREACH!!!" several times throughout each one i've watched so far. This particular video, however, I feel especially passionate about. A while back, I was a part of a concept art community. While I wasn't told I wasn't an artist, I *was* told, however, that I wasn't a *professional* artist. Furthermore they made a distinction between students, pre-fessionals (what?) and pro-fessionals. At this point in my career, I have found the word "professional" to taste as vile as bile. Not only has it made my peers feel inadequate in their ability to make a living wage off of their art (even if they are making enough to be considered a business under our state laws), I have also seen an elitist attitude emerge between professionals and everyone else. Young artists do not feel worthy to even *speak* to someone deemed as professional! That's really sad! What artist--or human being--likes people fearing them because of their success? What artist likes sitting at a con and hearing 20-40 people say to someone they look up to "I should get out of your hair, you must think I'm annoying/keeping you from your work/think I'm stupid/i could never be like you"? I'd love to see a Rafi Rant about the term "professional" artists. My philosophy is to look at every artist, no matter their skill, income, or what-have-you, as another human being full of feelings, insecurities, hopes, and aspirations just like the rest of us.
I think my worst art shamer in the past has been myself. If I post a video or hang a painting in a show, it was as if I was lurking behind a potted plant, just waiting for the negative comment - I knew it! I suck! I may get 50 positive comments, but I would grab on to the negative and tuck it into my jacket right next to my heart and feed it tasty morsels. I've worked through most of that, learning to love and believe in myself and my work. But it takes stepping back, getting curious, and being aware of what we are telling ourselves, let alone the people out there!
As always another GREAT video! You are guys are awesome & you've helped me stay confident in not only my ability but to keep putting myself out there on my channel! Have a great day!
I just wanna tell you THANK YOU for all of your positivity. I have an overly-self-critical problem. I had been comparing my art to my other artist friends pieces and knowing that I'm not as good. Thanks to you an a few other great friends, I'm starting to accept my art style for what it is. There are some things that I just can't do, but lately I've made pieces I actually love.
PS if you have time go check out my FB page because I've even uploaded my pieces onto my business page!
See...I'm growing over here.
Love you guys
I’ve been put down for any idea that I’ve shared, so I’ve struggled with depression and low self-esteem for a long time but for the last year I’ve felt pretty good because I asked myself what was I basing my worth and successes on? I realised it was all on information from people really just trying to sell me shit. I’m now basing it on how happy I am.
I came looking for a new video from you guys this morning because I needed it. Lol.
I am not a painter but follow you because I like that you include all art forms in your message.
I recently had bad experience with a customer. Ended up feeling like my piece alone was not enough. If I included this and this and this I could bring it to them. 😕 I declined but it has affected my motivation to get projects ready for a small upcoming craft show.
Appreciate y’all here in Kentucky. 😄
Ouu I love that piece in the background with the black bird! It's such a striking piece of expression. Haven't even watched the video yet but I just had just share that. Also I had your other vid saved for a couple of months that I watched yesterday, the vid about receiving [not always good] advice as an artist. The synchronicity was real! Like I said I saved that video on my watch later MONTHS ago when I was just starting on my art career and needed all the encouragement I could get but forgot about the videos I had saved. It's equally encouraging and frustrating to know that we tend to deal with the same kind of comments and criticisms constantly as creatives. For whatever reason people just see it as an opportunity to give advice or opinion what have you to us when we rarely ever ask for it. Oftentimes it's usually disempowering like you mentioned. Anyways glad I discovered you two and looking forward to enjoying more of your videos! Thank you for sharing you experiences with us ☺️
Rafi since finding you Klee I have become more brave in creating and saying yes I did that. I have been criticized many times during my early years. I think it cuts deep and we hold onto those wounds. Your talks really help me. Thank you
I had an artist tell me I painted like someone was coloring. He said it to hurt me. Even though it hurt my feeling really badly, I turned around and yelled. Jerry when I want your opinion I will ask you. Otherwise keep your mouth shut. He laughed I turned away. Hurt me and pissed me off too.
@@Rafiwashere i know. This was 20 years ago and I still clearly remember how it got to me. Im getting over it, finally. 🙄
Mean spirited comments or opinions say more about the person who gives them than it does about the person they are giving them to.
Glee, the color green looks good on you.
Before I even watched this video the first thing that popped into my head was the idea that some folks seem to have that if you're not making money from your art, or if you're not famous, then you're not a real artist, which is, of course, total guano.
Making art makes you an artist. Period.
I had an encounter with a local "legit artist" one time that sickened me, the complete details of which I can't make public, but one thing that I can share was the experience of having this person go over my portfolio ostensibly to give me general feedback and assist in choosing items for a show. She's looking through my book, looking, looking, and when she's done she says, "It's good enough for stuff you'd want to hang over your couch."
Err, isn't that the point?
She's one of those people that thinks that if art doesn't have some kind of deep, esoteric message, then it isn't real art. Which is, of course, total, again, guano. That woman was so far up herself it was unbelievable. She literally said that being an artist elevates you, and she didn't mean in a spiritual way.
As for the arts community, I find it tends to deliberately isolate itself in order to keep people out, so that it can make itself feel special by virtue of being exclusionary. That ills me, utterly. I try to get everyone to create, with anything they have, because I truly believe we're all artists in one way or another, and it's only a matter of finding the medium that works for you.
And because I forgot to watch the last half of the video ...
I avoid a lot of public art events specifically to avoid people in the arts community because of the already discussed ego-padding and deliberately abstruse or abusive commentary. They can stick that in the same cave the guano came from.
As for how I reacted to the CB (I can't say publicly what that stands for), I inwardly schnorted and went about my business. I know what I am.
100%. When someone says "you have to blank to be an artist" I laugh. Really hard, usually in their face, regardless of who they are. 🙂
I've had artistic discouragement several times throughout my life, and I was just like, "Frick that noise! I'm going to be an artist no matter what people say! They can shame me, walk all over me, 'should' all over me. But I will not. be. deterred. from my dream of being a full time artist! Nothing and no one is going to stand in my way. I will not be gatekept from the art community. I love what I do, and even if I I can only do my art part time for now, I will make it work for me." 😊🖌️🎨
Ohmygosh I love you guys so much. As an empath, taking on your emotions makes this the best video ever! I totally got fired up with you. I feel that way about the publishing world too.💖💕 I’ve felt “Art-shamed” illustrating my children’s books. I am in a group that celebrates rejections. I kinda get it, but it also enforces the idea that our work is not good unless it is accepted by some low person on a totem pole of big publishers. Now, I’m still growing and learning, but I definitely have felt “self-publishing” shame, even though I’m educated and have done so much research. It’s like big industry (and even society) thinks we need to be affirmed by a “name” to be valuable. I’ll tell you what, I am valuable anyway. Still haven’t hit a sweet spot, just selling a piece here and there, but as I grow, my style is really coming through and I am totally gaining confidence! Thanks for all you do; you guys are totally awesome! (I’ve also been watching your channel grow-it’s amazing!)
(This got kind of long but basically I'm just saying I'm the only one telling myself I'm not a real artist because I don't create the kind of art I want to be creating because I don't have the skills required yet.)
No one's ever told me directly I'm not a real artist, but it's something I struggle with telling myself a lot. I've been drawing for years, but only sketching for fun and now that I realise it's what I'm supposed to do for a career, I feel like I'm behind everyone else and that makes me not a real artist. It seems that most artists my age who want to pursue art are getting into art schools and/or have a good following on social media already. I'm not at the skill level to be accepted into an art school/program, and I haven't been sharing my work on instagram because it's so messy and seems unfinished, and not worth posting yet. I know I shouldn't wait until I think my work is good enough to share, because I could end up talking myself out of sharing it forever, but my artwork seems so amateur, and I feel like I need to practice more at it before I share anything.
I also feel like I'm not a real artist yet because I don't have a deep meaning for wanting to create art. I just kind of draw things I like, because I have always enjoyed drawing. And I often don't feel like a real artist because so far, I've only used pencils. I want to paint but no matter how many instructional videos I watch or books I read, I totally can't grasp it and I feel like a failure because it seems like so many others are able to teach themselves painting. I guess I just have this assumption that unless I'm posting my artwork, I'm not and never will be a real artist, but I can't post my artwork until my pieces look how I want them to, and they won't look how I want them to until I can paint, and I can't figure out how to paint, so I'll never be a real artist. It's an endless cycle!! I spend so much time beating myself up over this and it's making me not even want to draw. And then I feel like not a real artist even more, because I'm focusing so much on being able to share my work and start a career out of it when I should just be making artwork. It's a mess!
But I'm doing what I can to put an end to this thinking as best I can. I'm taking a drawing class so I can learn some fundamentals and then take a painting class. I'm trying not to beat myself up just because I need in person instruction in order to really grasp certain things. I just get so frustrated that my art doesn't look how I want it to and I don't even want to share art that doesn't fit what I want my art to be... That's about as organised as I can get these thoughts to be. Your channel has been a BIG help though thank you!!! Can't wait to get the book :D
Love your content and personalities!!
I’m a paper crafter and card maker. I sometimes dabble in mixed media, and at Christmas time I make ornaments as gifts. I don’t do what I do to sell it; I do it because I love it and it makes people happy. I’ve had people tell me I should sell my cards, but I just don’t want to do that at this point. But, who knows. Anyway, as I listened to your video, I was reminded of a time many years ago when I was working for the government I got passed over for a promotion. I had been working for the agency for at least 10 years at this point and already doing the exact job I applied for. After all was said and done, I wasn’t selected. The person they chose had only been with the agency less than a year and was doing a totally unrelated job. When I wasn’t selected, knowing how well qualified I was, I asked why they didn’t choose me. The answer was that she had a college degree, and I didn’t. My next question, “was that a prerequisite for this job?” No, it wasn’t. Regardless, she got the job and I was left shaking my head and wondering what kinds of idiots were making job selections!!! I know this isn’t art related, but it’s still the same kind of bullying or discrimination.
I think the thing that bothers me the most is when people just go "uh huh" and have a knowing look. What does it mean? Do they like my work, do they dislike my work, do they think I'm doing the wrong or right thing? Why do I care!! To be honest I'm more bothered that I allow it to annoy me. The best responses I've had, have been, "that's amazing, wish I was that brave," and "if this is what you want to do, I will support you every step of the way." The silent 'uh, huhers' are not worth worrying about. Love your posts, they always come at a good time. I am an Artist and I am proud that I am living my dream without the help of the establishment, galleries and associations. Keep up the Awesomeness :)
Whether they like it or hate it, you just don't want them to ignore it. Seems like no one is ignoring your work. So that's what's important. Keep going.
@@ReviewsAndMore9 Thank you. Upwards and onwards. I appreciate your encouragement :)
@@nickydavis9308 Happy to be here for you.
I have a sister who went to art school for graphic design. She paints graphic work and patterns. I paint figures. Sometimes my Mom devalues my work because I didn’t go to school for art. I am in my 50s. Regardless if I went to school or not, I still have to do all the hard work to learn to draw and paint original figures. I used to let it make me feel bad until I got cancer last year. After surgery to remove it, I decided my art life was mine and I wasn’t going to allow others to get in my head. I also released the fear of good or bad art. When I was a child in kindergarten, I would sit on the edge of my chair with a foot out to run for the easel when the teacher called free time. That 5 year old just wanted to paint. Now, I approach painting like a child who just wants to paint without a care. My art has taken huge strides forward in technique and creativity because I just paint for the love of it.
Haha Klee! You do snob very well!
Thanks for saying this!!!!!
This video was super timely and topical for me. Just yesterday I was bubbling over with imposter syndrome, courtesy of the extra challenge I added for myself to this year's Inktober. Your perspective and the humor and love you both share always help me to silence the inner gaslighter voice who LIES TO ME!!! Most of the time I know it by the smell (the distinct smell of bullsh*t - thank you Practical Magic), but sometimes it sneaks up on me. I figure the people who talk like that about a particular organization have a financial interest in the success of said group. It totally smacks of self-importance and self aggrandizement for the purpose of manufacturing desire and legitimacy for themselves so they can sell there art for more money, or even at all.
Thank you both for the smiles and encouragement your presence on the earth and the youtoobz bring. ♥♥
My dad told me once “you are an artist, first and foremost! When you sign your name you place the title “Artist” alongside your name.” The man was a genius. Always good vids! :)! Lol!
You guys are awesome!
Such an encouraging video thank you