I’m fascinated by people who end up making money by pursuing their special interests. I get the most blocked when the subject I am consumed by gets picked apart by critics, consumers, and editors (all in my head, but my head is not entirely wrong--all of that happens when you publish something). I think artists have to do what they WANT to do in order to create. But that’s an entirely different thing than making money off of it :)
This is extremely interesting, but I was wondering at it’s usefulness. Then it hit me, it’s a warning of sorts. But it leaves the question,how does anyone make it as an artist? (Apart from being a scoundrel)
I have made a few acquaintances like Kippenberger over the years — never boring, always scheming, often brilliant — and I, too, admire their energy and absolute dedication to living "differently" (though, I think for people like this, this is the only way they know how to live). I think some of it could be related to mental health issues — an inability to manage money, or a dependence on substances might be related to something else going on psychologically.
I'm sure he hurt a lot of people over the years, too. So many bridges burned. Sometimes these people take and take, focused only on themselves. But, it is hard to make it in this world when your temperament makes it impossible to conform, even a little.
Late-breaking response about creative blocks! At the moment I'm working on pushing past the blocks that arise when you simply haven't been in your studio for a long time, and are on the brink of starting a new project. But I consider this kind of block to be expected, if frustrating.
What I actually thought of in response to your call-out above about overcoming blocks was an experience I had back in 2009. I'd been out of art school for twenty years, and had been labouring under every kind of art block you can imagine. Not good enough. Don't deserve it. My family of origin doesn't understand it. I need to be a mother first. I'm not a "real artist". I'll never be an art star. I don't understand the art world. Nothing I do is right. But mostly... I'm not good enough.
In 2009, after forcing myself to investigate galleries in my city and try to make something happen, I was given my first solo show in a new gallery being opened by someone I knew marginally. He came for a studio visit and liked what I was doing, much to my shock. The part where I overcame my block(s) is this: in order to continue producing more of these paintings he liked, I literally had to yell back—in my head—at all the dissenting voices. Or maybe it was just one voice, haha—mine. The voice would tell me "this is dumb" or "these aren't good enough to show" or "why are you allowing drips? Drips are horrible", etc, etc. And I would yell back—in my mind—"SHUT UP!!!". I had to consistently keep telling the asshole voice to shut up in order to keep going and make those paintings. If I hadn't done battle with the inner saboteur in that way, I might still be listening to those messages.
This post seems like an answer to your question & a warning. Perhaps you don’t have to worry too much about money if you plan to live recklessly and die by 44?!
I’m fascinated by people who end up making money by pursuing their special interests. I get the most blocked when the subject I am consumed by gets picked apart by critics, consumers, and editors (all in my head, but my head is not entirely wrong--all of that happens when you publish something). I think artists have to do what they WANT to do in order to create. But that’s an entirely different thing than making money off of it :)
This is extremely interesting, but I was wondering at it’s usefulness. Then it hit me, it’s a warning of sorts. But it leaves the question,how does anyone make it as an artist? (Apart from being a scoundrel)
What a great piece, Mason.
I have made a few acquaintances like Kippenberger over the years — never boring, always scheming, often brilliant — and I, too, admire their energy and absolute dedication to living "differently" (though, I think for people like this, this is the only way they know how to live). I think some of it could be related to mental health issues — an inability to manage money, or a dependence on substances might be related to something else going on psychologically.
I'm sure he hurt a lot of people over the years, too. So many bridges burned. Sometimes these people take and take, focused only on themselves. But, it is hard to make it in this world when your temperament makes it impossible to conform, even a little.
Late-breaking response about creative blocks! At the moment I'm working on pushing past the blocks that arise when you simply haven't been in your studio for a long time, and are on the brink of starting a new project. But I consider this kind of block to be expected, if frustrating.
What I actually thought of in response to your call-out above about overcoming blocks was an experience I had back in 2009. I'd been out of art school for twenty years, and had been labouring under every kind of art block you can imagine. Not good enough. Don't deserve it. My family of origin doesn't understand it. I need to be a mother first. I'm not a "real artist". I'll never be an art star. I don't understand the art world. Nothing I do is right. But mostly... I'm not good enough.
In 2009, after forcing myself to investigate galleries in my city and try to make something happen, I was given my first solo show in a new gallery being opened by someone I knew marginally. He came for a studio visit and liked what I was doing, much to my shock. The part where I overcame my block(s) is this: in order to continue producing more of these paintings he liked, I literally had to yell back—in my head—at all the dissenting voices. Or maybe it was just one voice, haha—mine. The voice would tell me "this is dumb" or "these aren't good enough to show" or "why are you allowing drips? Drips are horrible", etc, etc. And I would yell back—in my mind—"SHUT UP!!!". I had to consistently keep telling the asshole voice to shut up in order to keep going and make those paintings. If I hadn't done battle with the inner saboteur in that way, I might still be listening to those messages.
I recently had a painting block for a year. In the end I shifted it by destroying 10 old paintings: 'out with the old in with the new'
This post seems like an answer to your question & a warning. Perhaps you don’t have to worry too much about money if you plan to live recklessly and die by 44?!