As artists, there are always distractions; maybe your work is not progressing how you would like it to, or perhaps your show didn’t go as well as you expected – what is important to remember is that in the end it all comes down to your work. As long as you are producing and developing your art practice, you will get to where you want to go.
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Hi! I’m
Nicholas Wilton
the founder of Art2Life.
With over 20 years experience as a working artist and educator, I’ve developed a systematic approach that brings authenticity, spontaneity and joy back into the creative process.
Join me and artists from all over the world in our Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group or learn more here about Art2Life.
Hi, Nicholas, you touched on exactly what I’m going through now: my first show and opening night is next week, and I’m already fearing no-shows because I don’t feel “legitimate,” although I have been receiving great feedback from my art that people have seen so far. I’m also getting excited about the event, and looking forward to the momentum and good energy I’ll hopefully build on for the future. Thank you for your always timely videos and words of wisdom, and congratulations on your successful show!
Thanks Nicolas. I’ve been going through a lot of the same things lately, (and have done so in the past). Good reminders and excellent tip on focusing neither on the self-talk NOR on the short term accolades. Sounds like a great way to stay balanced and to prioritize the art making. I’ll sure try to remind myself.
Such a comrade- in- art you are, Nicholas!
I’m so happy for you the opening was good!
You have become a part of my day – looking forward to seeing and hearing you, always with humble thoughts of wisdom. it is with deep gratitude I follow you and learn from you.
I feel this inner paradox when I am at the canvas between shame and freedom in a deeply unbalancing way. I have learned to be less spooked by it and sometimes after the fact, I will stand back and look at my painting and be so grateful.
Very good point! Cause this happens to all that are making art! I learned after 30 years not to listen to my negative thoughts. Always try to see what I like and how t even make it better! It is harder to shut out other people. They can never have any idea what your point is in your art. They always see it through their own spectacles. I try to let it be that way and as you say never meddle with what I am doing.
Thank you so much for all this information you have given us! I have a solo show in August(where it will be 100 degrees here) so I am working feverishly to complete enough work and have really just started, but the tools you have given me are already showing up in my work and in fact I have sold 3 pieces this week in Charleston, SC because of the instruction you have given me! I have NEVER sold this much at this little place which is now closing because someone bought the building and has quadrupled the rent. Ugh…but thank you so much!
You really hit on something I’d never put together before: starting art late while having a certain level of expertise in other areas.
Bingo! Why had this never occurred to me? Despite success as a choral director, teacher and composer, in art I’m picking up where I left off in about the 4th grade!
Thanks for the insight! Helps me see my new art as expressions of curiosity and self-expression.
You’re absolutely right! Thank you for all your words of wisdom and training you are providing for us! I “do” art because I enjoy it, although I have now found that painting in my old realistic style is not fun and is way more frustrating, even though I haven’t mastered value and design. Long ago I was selling kitchen products and when I wasn’t making any sales, my manager said that I needed to find new friends. Well, I don’t think that’s the answer. In doing art and shows, small ones, I have learned to paint for myself, first and then the public. If I don’t get selected for a juried show, I may be disappointed, but I tell myself I’d rather have the public choose, because I’m not painting for one or a few judges. All people don’t like the same things, and it’s just a matter of time for the right person to appreciate a piece. I tell myself first, that I’m painting for me, for my enjoyment, and if somebody else enjoys it and wants to buy it then that’s icing on the cake!
I like to tell my inner critic to leave the room. I say “you’re not helping me!”. Those kinds of thoughts, which we all have… are hard to vanquish… but necessary ! I may still struggle, but in a more positive light!
I like the inspirational talk. When the work is done I feel a a sense of emptiness and how I deal with it is playing my guitar and making music soundscape of the paintings. It’s a way to shift energy.
First, congratulations on your show. That must feel fantastic. And your humility is appreciated as well. What you shared is incredibly helpful, how being all full of anxiety of not being good enough is just as damaging as being full of oneself. While I’ve definitely experienced the first, and continue to do so, I’ve yet to experience the second. You, Nicholas, continue to be a breath of fresh air. Thank you for your generosity. And may you have as many successes as you desire.
I feel like I’m in a holding pattern right now with my art. Getting house ready to sell…searching for home 6 hours away….packing….leaving a gallery….storing art in my daughter’s home….so much to think about. It’s frustrating to say the least that I can’t be painting. Thanks for your words of wisdom today!
Thanks Nicholas, Such a treat to hear your thoughts about your show and experience being an artist. The word that comes to mind is balance. The other word that comes to mind is justification, when you have it in you to paint, then you must just do it.
I’m really glad your show went well!
Thank you for this video. Inner talk is the hardest part. I will tell myself all those negative things while painting and get stuck. THe only thing that seems to help is just doing anything with the pieces I’m working on, just working. Like you say, making the art, focusing on it alone.
And after a successful show, I’ll get stuck because I wonder if I can keep making good work. It’s like I can’t just let myself rest with it all at times. The work wins though. If I keep working on it and occasionally laughing at myself, things resolve.
Your sharing is so great. Even sharing that no one showed up for a show, something I’m sure was painful, is dear and vulnerable and helpful. Thank you!
Thanks for the talk Nicholas. So happy you did well at the show. I had a show late last year where I know I was showing some of my best work and I didn’t sell anything. Got good comments and “attagirls” but no sales. So I stopped painting for a few months and decided to feel sorry for myself. Am just now picking up the paint brush to start painting again. I had to question why was a making art. Is it for the money–that certainly helps to validate what I’m doing–but would I do it anyway? And the answer has to be yes. So I’m painting again and finding other places to display the artwork I did for that show. I just have to keep moving forward and knowing I paint for the joy of painting whether I make money at it or not.
Spot on Nicholas! Thank you for the reminder to stay even with the flow and concentrate on the work. In the end that’s what matters most…the work!
The way I got rid of nagging thoughts going into studio this afternoon? This vulnerable, thoughtful and perfectly timed reminder. Can’t thank you enough.
Thanks for the wonderful, calming, reassuring advice.
Always appreciate your insight. I make art that I want to hang in my house. I feel great when someone approaches it and not so good when people have no reaction to it or don’t like it. It’s hard to stay in that nutural area, your comments help, thank you.
Hi Nick, Congratulations on a great show. Thanks for the re-calibration.Definitely have had openings go both ways too. Let’s be honest…it’s pretty wonderful to hear the nice comments and at least sell enough to cover your costs. That doesn’t happen much anymore but I’ve learned over these many years to expect nothing in regards to sales. Sales will come..sometimes a year or more later from a completely different avenue than the gallery. Just having the goal of an opening keeps the creative juices abundant. Thanks again for sharing your wisdom.
Yes that is a great point I find that I can caught ego mind traps of feeling good and feeling bad about myself depending upon if my work sells or not
Thanks fir that reminder to stay focused on the work
You sure know how to connect to us Nicholas ….your warm & humble manner makes me feel like I’m right there even from Australia
This makes me think how important it is to focus on what Iwant to do rather what I want to be. Thanks Nicholas for the good reminder on how to prioritize. I know that I can control my focus on the work and sharing it but I have very little control of anything else that happens with it after it is made and seen. Knowing what to focus on helps me to not feel too overwhelmed with all the other issues.
Thanks Nicolas, and congratulations on your show.Given how much you have been giving to Art2Life its no wonder you were exhausted after the show.Putting aside those negative voices for me is like slamming a door against a gale. Simply often dont have the strength. Sometimes I feel like letting the gale blow itself out and keeping the door open…but the danger is it blows me with it. And that can put a stop even to showing up.The most important thing for me to hang onto is just to show up, and wear storm proof clothing….thanks for your encouragement .A Sou ‘wester for me.!
Thank you Nicholas, for your generosity, wise words and time. I am so glad that your show went well, you must be exhausted. Art2Life is/has been just what I needed and I have only touched on a lot of it. I am desperate to get back to my boards now, any negative voices are flicked out the way as I walk the 20 strides to my studio door. they are waiting like enthusiastic children, excited about what might happen next. I feel so energised, I have a big show in October so I am sure the wobbles will come, but I have so much more understanding and confidence in my work now. Namaste
Thank you, as always. The uplifting things about selling work can almost be just as hard – it almost feels like the pressure is on to make more in a similar vein and when I begin again I always feel a bit lost and resistant to repeating myself. The answer is always to let the work lead – and to allow time enough for you to feel where you want to explore next.
NIck~ So glad your show was a success! Not really surprised ,The work is beautiful and interesting, and yes, you do deserve the positive response. You have worked really hard. You give a lot to others and it flows back to you.
This is such a big piece of the practice for me I really needed this encouragement as I progress into new uncharted territory in my work and look forward to the experience of discovery.
Thanks Again for all that you do.
The message you’ve shared with us is even more validating than any sale or award, in that staying “even” and focusing on the work is validation in itself — because the process (for me) is the reward. Having said that, I like selling a piece or receiving an award as much as anyone, but the reason I make art is because I am driven to and because it makes me feel good. (The head games can be negative even when good things are happening, such as the “this was just luck” type of unhelpful thoughts.) Your advice not to go to either place is so important to absorb…Thanks Nick!
PS…this might give a chuckle…last night I locked myself (in) my studio (don’t ask how..that’s another story, that I’m still laughing about, haha) and had to climb (out) a window…was this my subconscious telling me that my studio is my true “home”? (Lots of laughs)
I know you covered this in CVP but this extra reminder just really hit the spot. When in the studio I need to drop the mind chatter and stick to listening only to my yes’s and no’s!
So glad….
As always, words to paint by! I am reminded of a quote from Bob Hope who joked, “I am humbled, but I think I have the character to overcome that.” Always hard to stay in the middle ground between despair and elation, and a cautionary tale to be one’s own council about what serves the work, not the ego.
Deborah, I love that Bob Hope quote…he was such a funny and endearing guy!
This is something that I struggle with. Not thinking my work is tremendous, but the opposite. I know that when I DO concentrate on the work alone and stay out of that ego struggle I am buoyed. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for the reminder. Very time appropriate.
Thank you for your wisdom, I have learned much from listening to you. Have a wonderful week!
New ideas usually come through the back door whilst you are looking out the front window.
Thank you for your wise words, I find myself sometimes blank just like the canvas or paper infront of me. will take your advise.
“At the very moment when people underestimate you is when you can make a breakthrough.”
―
Germany Kent
I couldn’t agree with you more. I cannot tell you how many times I have told myself I might as well just stop dreaming about being a full time artist. I even have prayed about it. Oddly enough, after putting it out there that I might a well give up, something amazing happens! Like what? Like someone asking me to have my artwork featured in their gallery, or a piece sells, or an encouraging word comes my way that reassures me to keep going. Thank you for sharing your insights. They are much appreciated. 🙂
You are literally the bomb!
It’s refreshing how frank you are. Thank you.