SPREAD THE ART WORD

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A new year and a new way of thinking; do you
recognise any of these comments?

6) My friends and family tell me my work is good, better
than some I've seen on sale, so why isn't mine selling?
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If any of the above comments don't apply to you then don't read on, you obviously have what it takes to succeed; however, if there's anything in the above comments that you recognise perhaps take a moment to read this.
I'm not making any promises to change your life but I am suggesting that by making a few adjustments to the way you think and view yourself as an artist might be just what you need to progress.

1) Starting with the first comment, Richard Branson doesn't have a degree, neither does Bill Gates or many other successful people. What they do have though is persistence.
They are not put off by critics, they may or may not listen to them, but they are confident in their abilities to pursue what they want.

2) Mmm... maybe this is a tricky one to answer, but I guarantee if people are really honest with themselves, they would find time to paint if they really wanted to. What about the favourite TV programme? Is it always missed because of lack of time? Perhaps the answer here is how really interested in painting are you?

3) This is an one. We all have to start somewhere and now is as good a time as any. Pick up the phone, make the call, speak to whoever it is you need to. Do not prevaricate, do not make excuses. Of all the comments I've noted above, this is the one I hear the most.
Independent thinking is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. It makes you really evaluate what you want. How much do I want this? Am I really prepared to think for myself?
If you don't believe in yourself, or take yourself seriously, how can you expect other people to?
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4) This is just a re-run of the comments made before. Sometimes you have to put your head above the parapet, you have to face criticisms and get used to the fact that some people won't like your work. So what, there are plenty of people who will. You make that first, second, third (plus) move to get your work in the public. You may be the greatest artist ever seen, but if your work is stuffed under the bed at home who is ever going to see it? So you face criticisms, get over it, move on and don't waste more time dwelling and thinking about it.

James Dyson, and his vacuums faced years of rejection by the big companies before he finally funded his machines by taking out loans and re-mortgaging his house. Sometimes you have to take risks to achieve the biggest results, and whilst I'm not advocating you get up to your eyes in debt, practical, logical evaluation of where you want to be and what you want to do is no bad thing.

5) Some people appear luckier than others, but is it luck or hard work that has got them where they are? By changing attitudes, being fairly upbeat and positive, you will probably find opportunities will present themselves to you. They may not be what you anticipated, but being flexible allows you to take other ideas on board and develop them.

6) Friends and family, don't you love 'em, but they love you too, so are hardly being objective when they tell you your work's fantastic. Are they buying your work though, at market value, or are they just encouraging you in your quest for world domination, indoors?!

I don't have all the answers, I wish I did, these are just a few observations I've picked up along the way to share. I too have off days and moods (hey, I'm not perfect!!!) but I do try to be positive and helpful to others. People respond more favourably if you are positive.
A saying often repeated in the press is 'Don't complain, don't explain'. I quite like that. You are You, an individual. Make no apologies, be focused and get the results you want.

Finally fear of failure can hinder you more than you realise and is a serious demotivation. Think about this, if you constantly listen to an inner voice telling you you're not clever. talented or ambitious enough then think again. If you want to progress, ignore the doubts and move on.

Good Luck. You deserve it!

By Deborah Joys (BA Hons)

Coming soon: As you can see above Debbie is the perfect art agony aunt, we will be soon having a 'Dear Debbie' feature, I'm first in the queue to ask for a bit of help, I'll be writing soon Deb. If there is anything you want to ask Debbie could you send your question to herron@globalnet.co.uk
Look at Debbies portfolio at http://www.deborahjoys.com/