Today's suggested table topic: What are the hallmarks of professionalism? do you aspire to be a professional? bonus question: can you give examples of unprofessionalism?
Comments are offered in random and anonymous order:
I think sometimes people confuse professionalism with the idea of recognition. I brought in an old Art in America magazine from 1975. In the magazine it lists some elite top artists of the day. I recognize only three names off this long list. This points to the fact that the artworld is quite an obscure place. Even if someone reaches a pinnacle... it doesn't mean that they willl actually be remembered. Professionalism has to do with continuing to hone your craft and to evolve. I know some artists who were good artists in the 80’s, but they didn’t notice that everyone else has improved…while they stayed where they were.
I am a professional artist. I studied with top people. I worked for a long time in Chicago. Dedication is necessary. You can’t treat it any differently than another important job.
I have stacks and stacks of practice works. I’m always working on being professional.
What is a professional? seriously I want to know! Is it to sell? Is it to make a living at it? I am in a gallery, but I don't make a living at this. So what is the answer?
To be professional is to work when you don't feel like it.
I think to be professional is to be happy with your work most the time and to produce consistent work.
I have always wanted to be an artist, but I had to make a living, so I did something different for earning a wage. The question is what is the hallmark of a professional. As opposed to what? As opposed to being a hobbyist? As opposed to being a student? For long time (for me) it was just a hobby. I believe professionalism has to do with seriousness of intent. Learning, growing, developing, showing and selling to me are hallmarks of professionalism. Your art is your communication. And to that end you need an audience. Your relative saying "that's nice that's nice" is just not good enough!
Professionalism I believe means to get things done on time and done correctly. That is what professionalism means in every industry. In the art world we must be civil to people who may advance us. But in fact, we are all just stewing in our own personal madness. (Laughter)!
There is a very good artist locally who called herself a "painter" for a long time. However, she got tired of people thinking that she painted houses. (Laughter)! I think of myself as a professional. I do have "initials" to prove it. (My education). I think about art every single day. It is a totally involving thing for me... it drives me. I think that something that is a hallmark of the professional is the willingness to share and teach. Someone who is unprofessional is closed down and won't help others.
Ihave a hard time with the concept of professionalism. My mother was one of those who said that if you wanted to do art as a profession you are a weirdo. (Laughter)! I am passionate about art. I do think that it would be great to help others and use art to do that.
I am not a professional. When I was a young girl I hitchhiked to Italy. I saw Botticelli. It just completely knocked my socks off. I had to work for living and now I am pursuing painting before I die. (Laughter)! Seriously, it is extremely important to me.
I don't have anything to offer on this subject except to say that in my other life, my professional life, we had ethical standards that we considered.
I too had a big career … and now I paint. I do notice that people who don't present themselves as professionals will not be viewed as professional. For example, if you're at a critique and someone says "You could use some more drawing skills" and then that person replies...well, no I couldn't possibly go to life sessions". Those are the types of people who really will not be professional and will never move out of hobby status.
I like art magazines and Facebook. It is just awesome that these very elite artists will actually friend you on Facebook! I just don't have the self-esteem yet, but I find it very motivating and a happy situation when a respected artist “"likes" your painting! I am really enjoying that.
I have to tell you I was voted "Most talented" in my high school! (Laughter) I had a very long career doing something else. I would agree with others that learning and doing is professional. The basic rules of how to treat people is always the same.
I have come to understand that there is a great deal that is good about having a positive reputation. You need to recognize when you are romanticizing your own work and to get over that. As a professional you need to detach from your work.
For anyone who wants to be a professional and is not yet a professional I want you to send me $79.95 today! (Laughter)!
You need mentors and advisers.. You need to be an influence on the marketplace. You need avenues to show your work. When I was a young girl I did a drawing that my mother still has. I also won a newspaper art contest at the age of 10. It seemed that these things definitely contributed to my life as an artist now.
All-isms are difficult. I'll I love art I will always do it.
My professor brought in two so-called "professional artists" to join our class. They were just terrible and sort of made fun of us…they smoked cigarettes and ultimately….they mooned us!! l(aughter)! I know, right? (The professor might have been showing us the opposite of what we should do)!
Other notes:
Celeste: I have been working on cleaning out my studio. I brought in two archived paintings from some classes I took with Craig Srebnik. I know that he is moving back to where he's from. We will miss him!
Susan: I brought in the painting that I did that was actually featured on ESPN for about 15 seconds! (applause)! This is actually a pixel point print of the painting. It was sold.
Tedd: I brought in two sketches of my new granddaughter. These were done in the car while she was in a car seat and no I was not driving! Hahaha
Lola: I brought in two recent paintings.
Betsy: I got out to see the show at the art museum. I highly recommend it. I got out three times this week to paint at Dunaway Park.
Genie: I am new. I found out about this group when I visited Joy Kollman's Portland open studio. (Welcome, Genie)
Stephanie: I brought in a painting that I did at Rooster Rock plein air. I sold a painting at Remax. (Applause)!
Tom: I did not bring a painting today, it was too wet to bring it in --I will bring it in next time.
Barbara: I brought in three recent paintings. I liked what Kristina Sellers had to say about working with a palette knife and I did a couple of palette knife paintings on her advice.
Renita: We have been remodeling my kitchen. I brought in a painting of some asparagus that will go into the kitchen! (Applause)! Editor’s note: I did not get a picture of your painting I don't know why please send me one so I can put it on the blog.
Judith: I have been painting a copy of a painting of Young Holbein. I am trying to prove that you can do this without a camera obscura!
Jeanne: I brought in a painting that I did from a figure class I been taking at PCC with Mark Hendricks. I've been using these canvas sheets and I really like them a lot (I got them from Blick).
Leslie: I brought in a painting that I did recently. I had a great show last weekend! (Applause)!
Joanne: today is my 60th birthday (Applause)! My plan is to devote myself to art. I am looking for some classes locally possibly a weekly class if you have any suggestions let me know.
Loretta L: I brought in a painting that I did of ducks. My husband is a birder and we both like this type of subject matter.
Kristina: I brought in a painting that I did at the Umpqua event. I have to tell you a little funny story. Last night I asked my husband “ What do you think I should wear to tomorrow's meeting"? He answered: “ Do you have a white pantsuit where you could iron all your paintings all over it... like iron transfers? (Laughter! laughter)!
Tim: I brought in these two miniature paintings and also another I've done in acrylics plein air. I am really enjoying working in acrylics.
Peggie: I recommend this interesting article from Janice Sands. I was at the Dahlia Farms recently and I painted two paintings.
Announcements:
Tedd thinks we should go as a group to see the Seattle Art Musuem Impressionist show…(He saw it and says it was exceptional) let’s decide on a date! (We might take the Bolt Bus).
Brooks Hickerson has planned paint outs for the fall colors (see the calendar in his sidebar):
http://pleinairbrooks.blogspot.com
Portland Art Museum (great impressionism show) http://portlandartmuseum.org (We might "field trip" this too...if you are interested)
Au Naturel deadline Nov 7: http://www.aunaturelart.com/pdf/Au_Naturel_Prospectus_2016.pdf
Za Vue solo show, "Lyrical Expressions" first Friday November 6 at Art on the Boulevard.
http://www.artontheboulevard.org
Rowena Sanford is at the Columbia Art Gallery during October with 33 paintings in the nook. Also, the show "Rain" is up until October 31(Cathleen Rehfeld and others):
https://www.columbiaarts.org/cca-events/calendar/
Clark County Studio Tours: (Khanh N. Huynh, Hilarie Couture and others)
http://ccopenstudios.org
Washington Plein Air show continues at Sequoia and check out their classes/workshops too:
http://sequoiagallerystudios.org
Portland Art Museum (great impressionism show) http://portlandartmuseum.org (We might "field trip" this too...if you are interested)
Au Naturel deadline Nov 7: http://www.aunaturelart.com/pdf/Au_Naturel_Prospectus_2016.pdf
Za Vue solo show, "Lyrical Expressions" first Friday November 6 at Art on the Boulevard.
http://www.artontheboulevard.org
Rowena Sanford is at the Columbia Art Gallery during October with 33 paintings in the nook. Also, the show "Rain" is up until October 31(Cathleen Rehfeld and others):
https://www.columbiaarts.org/cca-events/calendar/
Clark County Studio Tours: (Khanh N. Huynh, Hilarie Couture and others)
http://ccopenstudios.org
Washington Plein Air show continues at Sequoia and check out their classes/workshops too:
http://sequoiagallerystudios.org
Renita is doing a “Day of the Dead" fundraiser if you have an interest in this please contact her.
Kristina Sellers First Thursday at the Lane Gallery (her dog Digory) will be there too! http://www.lanegallerypdx.com/#!exhibitions/czpl
Brian Marki (Bill Sharp until 10/31/15) and Aimee Erickson/Scott Gellatly First Friday Nov 2
Find out about workshops on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/408762309299376/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/408762309299376/
Don't forget if you have shows or receptions that you want us to know about please list them on our page on our Facebook page.
Next meeting Thursday, October 29. Suggested table topic adding a “ Guest" color to your palette... Have you tried any new and/or unusual colors to your regular palette? please tell us all about it.
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