Respect

I am still thinking about what it means to be a successful artist. I think, for me, it comes down to being respected. Respected as a person, as an artist, by other people I think well of. Most especially by other artists whose work I appreciate or admire. People I think of as professionals, or “real”. Perhaps of less importance is respect by people outside of this life as an artist, whose art is more of a dalliance.

The interesting, but most frustrating thing about respect being important as a goal, or a measurement, is that it can’t be forced or mandated or manipulated. It’s more of a by-product of hard work and integrity. And it can be easily lost, after hard won, by a careless or thoughtless word or action.

So while it may be the main thing I am striving for, it will only come if I let go of it, stop fretting whether I have it or not (and from whom), and just do the work required to do the best art possible.

Someone who comments on this often is Robert Genn in his twice weekly letters “Painters Keys”. His thoughts and insights into the world of the artist are so often wise, gentle, humorous, and hard-hitting. His continual theme of “just go to your room and do your work” is a solid foundation for this kind of life. I will comment more on his letters and website another time.

Perhaps the most elusive, or most difficult thing is gaining and keeping respect for ourselves. Especially if we are cursed with a desire for perfection. It is still about settling in, doing the work, and pushing ourselves to be better each time, pushing the envelope to explore, learn, and grow.