WIP and Humbling Reminder

Reverse painting and collage on plastic
I am adding as I go along, leaving it, staring at it, and adding bits , kind of like my sketchbook. I have added a naked dickie bird since I took this pic. I wonder if a story will evolve
ps. lone beader do you think I had a spare mirror in the house? Nope! I don't even have a make up mirror larger than 3".
The Humbling Reminder
Every now and again I get a question that takes me off guard and humbly reminds me that not everyone takes me seriously as a working artist. Yesterday a neighbour (she's a nice lady by the way) who lives very close by asked me if I am still doing art? I said, " of course, I have work hours in the studio every day, and I have another exhibit coming up." arg! I wonder if anyone ever asked Picasso this? I know I ain't no Picasso, but my commitment and passion isn't much different.
Had it been a catty remark I would shrug it off, or if I barely saw the person and we lived in a big town, but I live in a village of 3,600. Sigh! I have a studio in the house, a workshop in the garage, run two art blogs (mine and the art councils) co-organize and curate the ChamberPot Gallery in the village, help organize/participate in art events in our village, leave found art , have work in two galleries (one in our village), sell work, carry my sketchbook and camera everywhere, run three websites (mine, chamberpot gallery, and ys arts), just had a solo show a couple of months ago in one of the busiest cafes in our village. sigh! how much more committed can a person be in their profession as an artist!!!!!!!!! I don't do all this just as a pastime while I am stuck at home and will stop when I get bored. Do any of you men out there get this?
Oh well! Coming a few days after a wonderful interview by phil
ip on his art blog it brought me smack back down to to earth. sigh! such is the yin and yang of life for the artist known as Jafabrit.

Comments

Cynthia said…
I think it's good to have those kinds of comments/questions. It doesn't sound like she meant any harm, rather it was asked by someone who doesn't know a whole lot about what being an artist really entails.

When I say that I make pottery or dabble in fabric art, people often feel compelled to tell me about their "hobby". Just grin and bear it and keep on painting.
12:04 PM
Cynthia said…
PS, I love the way your new painting is coming along.
12:05 PM
jafabrit said…
thanks cynthia. Just a tad frustrating and took me off guard.
12:09 PM
Lynette said…
What a wild, colorful and lively work! I think a lot of people really don't understand artists, I would just try and shrug off such a dumb comment LOL! It sounds like you have been busy busy busy J.B.!!
2:23 PM
The Lone Beader® said…
I agree with Cynthia on that comment...Some people also think that being an artist is a passing fad...=:0
3:58 PM
Janets Planet said…
To look on the positive side, she still associated you with art.

Make sure you send her an invitation to the opening of the next exhibit.
7:30 PM
Casey Klahn said…
If you think about it, a lot of professions could be considered a sub-culture. It does hurt to be held up as less-than-serious by others. I thought that I was being a little slighted today in an appointment. But, I thought about it later, and took apart the actual things said.
I guess I was too sensitive.
Other hand? Some people hold artists on a pedestal. Just as silly.
Be happy!
7:32 PM
Anna Sellers said…
Do you think it is a female thing? or could it be a Midwest thing? The reason I ask is because I grew up out west (Oregon). In the west, an artist in general is taken much more seriously than it does here in the Midwest. Of course it is compounded by the fact that you ARE a woman and ARE in a small town. The small town I live in is just now getting broadband. I don't even want to mention the ways they are behind socially.

I wouldn't trade my small midwest town for the world, but sometimes I do catch myself walking away from a conversation wondering if I stepped out of a time warp.

Invite her to your show.. It sounds like she might need to get out a bit more.
:)
8:24 PM
jafabrit said…
Well I'm not known to be overly sensitive, but I did find the question odd and it did take me off guard and it did leave me somewhat perplexed. I thankyou for your supportive comments and reminders to take it with a grain of salt. And yes, I will be sending an invitation :)
8:31 PM
Anonymous said…
I love what you are "doing". !!!
Please don't worry let that funny, silly little comment get you down. Many people really do not understand what an artist's craft is all about and can only relate it to their own experiences, perhaps only of "dabbling in a hobby".
I must say I am enjoying the metamorphosis emerging on your site.
9:38 PM
Heather said…
You know I get asked questions like this sometimes too...like people think that if I don't have a massive success and become a household name that I will give up. art isn't something I choose, I can't do anything else that would give me the same pleasure...and rewards. I retired from my first career about 7 years ago...and it was great too...I was a very well know and respected Garden designer (uuummm can you say art?)...I've been told I can always go back to that if the art thing dosen't work out...As If!
So, just drop her a invite and keep on keeping on...you rock and you know it too. I love the new work...and not one mirror in the house?! I guess you will just have to get on the rack and strech your arms a little! ;)
3:51 AM
Anonymous said…
Wonderful work! I loved the interview on Philip's blog. I've thought of making art and leaving it places as well. That's soooo kewl! YOU GOOO! Anyhoo, this work draw's me in more with each new thing you add to it. It's amazing. :)
11:30 AM
Still Waters Studio said…
People ask me that sometimes too. I hadn't really thought about it that way before. Actually, it's like asking me if I'm still breathing or eating. That's how much art is a part of me.
3:30 PM
Dr.John said…
Hey some of us just are limited in our art knowledge. I have learned a lot because I found your blog. But everybody doesn't blog or read blogs.
3:54 PM
Philip said…
Yes it happens to us males too. In fact it happens to me with alarming frequency!
11:48 PM
harry bell said…
I still get comments like, "Oh, painting's a nice hobby," and "Oh it must be so relaxing." but it always becomes obvious when I explain, that most people can't imagine that it might be possible for someone to try to earn a living as an artist. That's what folk like Picasso and Damien Hirst do, not ordinary folk like Mr Zip!
11:18 AM
Anonymous said…
Oh yes people say that to males. My partner gets a lot of comments about being an artist but she gets even more about being with a *guy* who's an artist. Rather than a stock broker, lawyer, doctor or something else "respectable."

Occasionally if someone is being overly snooty and talking about how art is a "nice" "hobby" I mention that my actual hobbies are quantum mechanics and oceanography.

Which usually stops takes them back a bit.
7:19 AM
Margot Potter said…
I think women in America, particularly in small town American, have a tendency to be competitive, condescending and judgmental. It may come from jealousy or a feeling of insecurity. It may be a purposeful putting of someone else in her place...or it may be a totally insensitive and subconsiously bitchy comment. The key is to find ways to not let it bother you too much. There will always be people who don't understand you and there are conversely those who do. The people who read your blogs, buy your art...they get you. Listen to them.

Also know that choosing to do what you love without apology can be threatening to people who hate their lives and jobs. That's their problem, not yours.

Just keep making your beautiful art.

xox,
Margot
8:48 AM
jafabrit said…
ah, thanks margot. I have to tell you though the worst of it is that the lady in question is actually a really nice woman. Oh well, what can you do but carry on doing what you need to do in life.
8:57 AM
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