Letters to a young artist: The Best Advice I Ever Received

The Best Advise I Ever Received

Dear Young Artist,

I have had the privilege of studying with some amazing artists. Some of these people have had amazing quotes that I use in my everyday life. These teachers live rent free in my head. Some of my teachers were just kind and talented. Others were quotable. And while I wish I could share the knowledge and kindness of the former, I can share the quotes of the latter.

“Vell, I don’t HATE it.”

-Not every painting will be your best. And sometimes you just don’t hate it and that is not bad for a day of work. 

“You can’t judge your owe work’

- Often we are too hard on ourselves. Sometimes, we are too close to see our flaws. Its best just to keep working and let others judge for us. But don’t take negative opinions too much to heart either.  

 “You have to get through all your bad work before you get to your good work.”

Art is a journey. Just keep creating and you will improve. Mistakes are the place that growth happens. 

“The bigger you draw the more you know”

The larger the piece the more opportunities for details and the less mistakes can be seen. 

“Do not apologize about your work. If someone criticizes you put your hands around their throat and squeeze.”

People can be critical, it doesn’t mean you have to accept it. 

“Only paint what you can not NOT paint.”

Only paint what you want to. Don’t chase trends or what you “should” paint. If you paint the paintings only you can paint eventually you will find yourself and your market. 

“You need to allow for happy little accidents”

-n mistakes you will find points of brilliance. First time its a happy accident and by the second or third time you have a technique. 

“All you have to do is every stage be less wrong”

If you focus on being correct you will never get past the the drawing stage. Perfection does not exist. But if at each stage you just become less wrong, you will come away with an amazing piece.

“An artist must have the patience of Job and then some.”

Art takes time, Don't rush.  

“You don’t have a style you have a mistake. You don’t have style till you at 30.”

Don’t mistake an error for a stylistic choice. Typically, if its a little off, it’s wrong. If its massively wrong, its the beginning of style. Also, don’t let these errors define your style. If you did not do it on purpose its a mistake.

"Aim for 100 Nos"

You will get Nos. If you aim for 100 nos per year you will be have your art career and be set for growth. Honestly I typically only get to 50 Nos a year.

Hope these little gems help you as much as it helped me.

Keep Painting! I believe in you