10 Habits of A Successful Artist...

Day; 164. Sunny and breezy. Sun starting to shine at a different angle as of mid-August. Not as hot this morning. Do I detect the slightest shift from summer to a feeling of fall in the air? Maybe it is just the breeze... Temperature on outside kiln; 80 degrees.

After reading Art and Fear for the 3rd time a few years ago, I distilled it down to these 10 points that most spoke to me. Every so often, ( like after a really big show when I never want to see clay again..) I read this again and it helps to push me back into the studio looking for inspiration...

                                               10 Habits of a Successful Artist


1. A deep tolerance for uncertainty/doubt about oneself and one’s work. An overriding  willingness to embrace mistakes and surprises along the way.

2. A tolerance for, and acceptance of,  imperfection.  A knowing that the failed pieces are essential. They teach you how to make the small percentage of your work that really soars.

3. A strong focus on perseverance rather than so-called talent. A continuing practice of listening, looking, and making.

4.A tolerance for the “revealing” nature of making artwork. An ability to embrace the truthfulness of its feedback.

5. A willingness to challenge fears about oneself and artwork. Fears that often masquerade variously as laziness, resistance to deadlines, irritation with materials, distraction over the achievements of others.

6.An acceptance that vision is always ahead of execution, and it should be.

7. Expectations are based on the work ITSELF. What you need to know about the next piece is contained in the last piece.

8. Possession of a sharp eye for synchronicity; a fortuitous inter-meshing of events.

9. An acceptance that you find your work all over again, ALL THE TIME. IT DOES NOT CHANGE; an artist needs room to maneuver on many fronts, mental, physical, and temporal.

10. A  realization that  art is the surface expression of a life lived within productive patterns.
These are canons, they allow confidence, concentration, and not knowing. They are useful forms/small conventions/rituals that keep us working,