On Art, Fear and the Pink Chair.

I have been so caught up in making art EVERY DAY...yep, every single day...that one thing that I don't think I do the greatest job of is marketing and selling my art.  I feel pretty good about my commitment to making the work...but then when I think about the fact that I am not selling or showing...kinda makes me sad.  I get pretty down on myself. 

Then I start to question myself...my art...what am I doing?  

And sometimes...just for a minute...I lose my sparkle.

Last weekend, in between a meeting with a commission client and going to the gym, I stopped my one of my favorite weekend haunts- my local Barnes and Noble.  When I was looking through the art books, Art and Fear practically jumped out at me.I am familiar with the title, like artists are.  Only thing is, when I read it at twenty years old it had a different meaning to me.  But the fears...they are the same, regardless of schooling or how much work I make...I have the same fears and doubts about my work;

I'm not an artist...I'm a phony.
I have nothing worth saying.
I'm not sure what I am doing.
Other people are better than I am.
I'm only a teacher.
I've never had a real exhibit.
No one understands my work.
No one likes my work.
I'm no good.

-from Art and Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland

...still SO relevant!

To remedy this, I am trying to take a little time each day to dedicate to looking for shows, following up on emails, studying different galleries, getting back into trying to license my work...all of these things...things that I haven't made time for.  Usually I do this sitting in my pink desk chair.

And I am going to make more work.  

So anyway...I just wanted to put this out there, for myself...and for anyone out there making art and having those same doubts. You are not alone.