Artist Burnout and attitude adjustment

No, not the desire to create, that's as strong as ever and won't change, slow down maybe. But I am, if I'm going to be honest here, a little discouraged and tired. So many distractions lately in so many quarters. I am not really interested in fame, but I would like to see some return for all the work I put out. I don't make enough sales to pay for a months worth of grocery bills, let alone buy supplies. Hey, I didn't expect I would be able to make a living with my art, but I did expect to see my efforts justified even if on a wee scale. Oh, I get small pleasures from doing street/found art, from fun projects like the art ball machine, doing my art blog, the process of creating, but err, I do have to pay bills. I am not sure there is a darned thing I can do about that, that is the nature of being in the arts. I am sure after a little respite and an attitude change it will be fine, I will be fine, but that is my mood right now. Here are some bournout tips some might find helpful, including myself. Whine over!!!!!!!

Meanwhile here is a picture of a doll my friend jafajan and I made several years ago for a mutual friend whose husband had walked out on her. It wasn't meant to be a voodoo doll, but more a vehicle for our friend to vent her pain and her hopes. Jan supplied the pins and I supplied heart stickers. Huh! after I found out a little about something he did a long time ago I think pins were too good for him, but that is another story.


Maybe I should make an art doll for ME!

By the way did you know china banned voodoo dolls in 2006 , which resulted in a new craze. People always want what they can't have eh!
Meanwhile back at the ranch, some think there is money to be made from these two dolls.

Comments

Heather said…
I know what you mean by the burn-out, that's what I was feeling before I started the Art block. I'm painting today...for the first time in a month and it feels OK...but I am still poopy-faced about the lack of sales. I'm glad people love my work...you know? How much do you love it? I wanna ask...enough to take out your wallet, eh? I feel like a used car sales person...Do I have a Dee-aa-llll for you!
LOL :)
hey--thanks for stopping by my site--I love your post today--and so did my husband! He related to the "want what you can't have" aspect !!!

so do I...
andrea said…
Hee hee -- I agree with HMBT: "If you really loved it you'd buy it!" :) Actaully, I think the only way to truly free up creativity is to divorce it from the economic aspect. After you've had breakfast, that is! :)
Janets Planet said…
There is probably a market out there for custom made voodoo dolls.
Anonymous said…
I love Voodoo People!!! And Prodigy!
Great pick Jafabrit!!
I love the voodoo doll too. I want one too. I have got one from New Orleans and it's quite a cracker too - but not as gorgeous as the one you have....must.have...using. power. of. mind.to.acquire...

Oh I so understand the burnout, darling. I do EVERYTHING for love it seems, never making a bleeding cent for all my hard work...sometimes it pisses me off, often I think it is entirely my own choice. One way or another I choose to make a present of myself...
I really did Burn Out the other day, blistering my hand horribly on the stove and rendering myself useless. It was beneficial in one way. It forced me off the computer where I tend to disappear in a miasma of my own thoughts..
I have returned with a fresh perspective.
One thing hasn't changed. Your art. It is brilliant!! Why are you not making a monstrous packet out of it!! I believe I need to wander into your studio and relieve you of some of it. For a price of course!!

You rock, Jafabrit!!
Please don't lose heart, darling. xxx
Janets Planet said…
I know you are not into bread n butter art, but I could see the wood kimono paying you back many times over. Take a great photo or have a professional one done and make it available for prints --- large reproductions -- like what they can do on Imagekind and the like.

I totally believe in making one's art work for ones self.
Dr.John said…
How many topics can you piut in one blog ? From not making money to wishing you could finish your present project with some thoughts on burn out. Makes one's head spin.
jafabrit said…
I just knew many of you would understand and relate. It is nice to hear and thankyou for sharing your thoughts. I hope so about the kimomo Jan, it has been a real challenge physically doing it.

AH, Dr.John, my blog entry must be spot on because that is how I feel, head spinning lol!
Philip said…
I think the problem for many artists (including me) is that we are not very good or perhaps not even very interested in marketing our work.It's a long, hard and frustrating slog.

I am sure that you are well aware of the value fo your work and talent and this phase will probably pass soon. At the end of the day, we just 'have'to carry on. Art is a language and the alternative is to stop 'speaking' which for me is thinking the unthinkable. I suspect that it is the same for you (?).
jafabrit said…
"Art is a language and the alternative is to stop 'speaking' which for me is thinking the unthinkable. I suspect that it is the same for you (?)."

Yes :) Thanks philip.
Susie Q said…
I would hate to see you lose heart but I think you have much too much spirit to do that...you are just so tired from all the hard work.
I know that the average Joe has no idea what actually goes into a work of art...far too many want their *art* from Wal Mart.
I agree with Janvangogh...perhaps as reproduction prints? It is a truly amazing piece. So much of your heart and soul is in it.

LOVE the voodoo doll. And I just saw the Bush one at Books & Co last week! I am thinking Bill really would like that one. Too funny. If only....

Hugs,
Sue
Spoon of life said…
Don't give up...never give up on your dreams and passions...

If you start thinking about how hard it is you'll get stuck...just keep going...push yourself...you're talented...it will happen:)

The doll scare me though o.O hehehe

Love,
Maria
Ed Maskevich said…
Hmmmm, do you think it might be that to be an artist you have to be a little mad (i.e. crazy) and that scares people especially if they think they are normal. I know the feeling and I know the drill. As my mother used to say, "it's just as easy to marry for money as it is for love." I have a special technique for those frustrations, I pour another glass of wine.
Cynthia said…
Ya know, that's exactly why I applied for a "real job" the other day. Burn out, confusion, exhaustion, etc. etc. I wonder if there's something in the air - the stars lining up peculiarly. I've run across so many artists recently experiencing the same emotions.

I love the voodoo doll and want to make one myself. Not a pretty beautiful object but a really raw kind of piece just for me.
jafabrit said…
You guys are great, all of you.

cynthia, if you have time, or any of you, it would be fun if each of us did a doll and shared it. How about it? I plan to make another one just for ME.
Anonymous said…
Very kewl! Yeah I think that people always want what they can't have as well. :) I think that you should make a doll for yourself too! :) That would be neat! Thanks for sharing with us!
*HUGS*
Anonymous said…
i have a bit of burn out too i think. love the doll! it looks a bit evol! ha ha
Cynthia said…
I'm up for the challenge Jafabrit - I even did a little sketch in my notebook of the head. It will of course be made partly out of clay. ;D

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