Little things I have learned in 2008 as an artist:

I made a list of what might seem like common knowledge to most people of things that I was repeatedly reminded of this year by different incidents and situations.

7. Rejection is great!

Every artist you know, read about or admired where rejected by some art gallery, jury, grant selection in their lives. Yes, even the famous rich ones!  So why would you think that you are more special and will not be rejected as well? I keep every letter and e-mail of rejection. It’s good for tax reasons to prove your art is not a hobby but a serious career that you invested time and energy into. The other reason is I started to realize the more grants and juried competitions I enter the more likely it is that I will get into one of them. It is a great measuring tool.

“How you react to rejection is important. It is not the rejection of others that truly affects us, the problem occurs when … that rejection by others causes us to “reject” ourselves”-Chris Tyrell

“Learn to eat rejection – it will make you stronger.”- Bob Ragland

6.Never make art for anyone but yourself.

The most unsuccessful art I produced this year was when I took in consideration what people wanted to see from me. Create art to impress others and it will be pretentious and contrived. When I forget everybody including myself, my sculptures and drawings where stronger, more authentic and was better received.

“Do not care what others might think of your work, the next thing is not to care what you think about it” Billy Childish

“If you understand your painting beforehand, you might as well not paint it” Salvador Dali

5.You do not have to make beautiful things.

Create first, judge later. You have to be willing to make the worst of art to get to the good art. In any case what is beauty? Beauty can be coaxed out of ugliness or you can be coming to terms with what you consider ugly.

“All things are impermanent, imperfect and incomplete” – Leonard Koren

4.I do not make art to be happy, I am happy when I make art.

In a NPR interview with musician Tanya Gillesshe she spoke of her inspiration: “Björk, because she IS music.” I realized that there should not be an on and off button when you create.

3.Full Time jobs, bills, are all excuses to avoid a “maybe” failure.

Of course it is not easy to juggle art and bills but there is always a way to make it work if you are truly dedicated. I know to many artists that completely stop producing art because of their day jobs, and year after year they have the same excuse why they have locked their studios. It can become such an easy excuse, I know because I have been there. Obtaining income and making art is the toughest part of being an artist, so deal with it and do not use it for an excuse.

2.You work bloody hard and then some.

Creativity without productivity means nothing. You need a work ethic that get things done. Read Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers: The Story of Success where he talks about the 10,000-Hour Rule. Work at your craft for 20 hours a week over ten years and most likely you’ll be successful. Besides it is good to have a substantial body of work at any given time, so that you are prepared when opportunity comes around.

“You either pay the price of discipline or the price of regret” – Unknown

1.The most important people in your career are other artists.

Who shows up at your exhibitions, appreciate your art the most, comment on your work? – other artists. We understand each others fears, insecurities, dreams and skills. Do not see other artists as competition and feel you need to prove yourself better. There is a HUGE cake and a slice for each of us. I do love constructive criticism from artists, they are after all the true experts. So thanks to all my art compatriots, you know who you are, I wish to all of you a successful 2009 filled with creativity and achievements.