Mary C. Nasser
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10 Ways for Artists to Find Balance

8/1/2011

20 Comments

 
Recently, I read an article that I really connected with, an article too beneficial not to share!
So after contacting the author, Ms. Elena Parashko, for permission to reprint it, I have posted it below. 
I hope you get as much out of it as I did.
Blue by Elena Parashko
'Blue' by Elena Parashko, oil, 60 cm x 76 cm
An Artist

Apart

BY ELENA PARASHKO


The pursuit of creativity is largely a solitary activity.  We artists tend to spend our day working in isolation.  While this solitude is often required for focus, being alone too much can make our work stale and leave us craving social contact.  Here are 10 tips to overcome this dilemma:

1.  Play music in the studio.  If your workspace is extremely quiet, playing music while you work can ease that stillness.  Boost your spirits by listening to your favorite music or free Internet radio.  Avoid disc jockey chitchat that may compete for your attention.

2.  Share your workspace.  If you are not easily distracted, sharing your workspace with other highly motivated people can be inspiring.

3.  Start a collaborative project.  Some large projects are best approaches as a group effort.  Teamwork can meet your need for brainstorming ideas and problem solving, giving and receiving feedback, communicating goals and progress, and sharing skills in the creation of artwork.  Team up with others who have a similar vision and rapport.  Also, be clear about the division of labor in the project to avoid artistic rivalry and conflict. 

4.  Join an artists' networking group.  Attend meeting where artists regularly unwind, talk and connect with one another.  It can be reassuring to find we are not alone in our thoughts, fears and issues.  Be careful not to allow these meetings to turn into negative sessions.  For this type of group to be a true tonic for loneliness, it must have a positive focus on fellowship and mutual encouragement.

5.  Interact with other artists online.  If you can't get together with other artists physically, thanks to technology, there are many opportunities to connect: blogs, forums, message boards, online communities and other sites such as YouTube and Second Life.  These platforms allow communication between artists anywhere in the world at any time of the day night.

6.  Mingle on opening night.  After you have spent months (or even years) putting together a body of artwork, opening night is your chance to share your work with the world and personally interact with your audience.  Meet art lovers, explain methods to the curious and elaborate on your message.  Attend other artists' opening nights and appreciate being a socially engaged member of the audience.  You may see familiar faces at each event you attend.  This is how personal friendships and professional associations develop.

7.  Go on an excursion.  If you become too insular and sheltered from other influences, your work may stagnate.  Take an interest in new trends and issues.  Visit galleries, arts conferences, seminars and exhibitions to see what others are doing. 

8.  Take a class.  Attend workshops or classes to develop new skills that will enhance your professional development.  Be proactive in interacting with other students. 

9.  Touch base with your clients.  Stay in touch with clients – not just with a newsletter, but a personal email or phone call where you can engage in a meaningful exchange.  This is not only good for business; it widens your social circle and may even lead to friendship.

10.  Develop friendships beyond the artistic community.  Don't forget the non-artists!  Hanging out with a people of diverse opinions and viewpoints can help us become well-rounded human beings in touch with a multitude of issues in life.  Get together for coffee and get away from the context of art for a while.

    Each of us has a different need for human contact.  Some people enjoy their own company, whereas others find the silence of working on their own unbearably lonely.  While isolation can facilitate the creation of artwork, interaction with other people serves to reassure us that we are not alone in our experiences.  The trick is to find the right balance that works for you.


"An Artist Apart" written by Elena Parashko
http://www.elenaparashko.com/
info@elenaparashko.com
Reprinted by permission from Professional Artist magazine, July/August 2011, p. 5
http://www.professionalartistmag.com/


I’d love to hear which tip is your favorite from the list above!
Or do you have any tips to add?

Have a great beginning to your week!
Mary
20 Comments
Shelley (EvenAndy) link
7/31/2011 11:57:25 pm

Those are some very awesome tips! I definitely love creating to music. Working on a collaborative project sounds like it would be fun. Have a wonderful Monday!

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aboriginal art link
6/15/2012 12:28:58 am

Totally agree with all those tips shared here for the artists. Specially, playing music. Music is very essential for human being as it helps in relaxing our body. Thanks for sharing this awesome post.

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Rebecca Orf
8/1/2011 12:29:21 am

Love this article. Thanks for sharing! My fav tip is playing music too. I love pandora.com. Another tip I would add: Try to keep work surfaces clean. Art materials and tools often pile up, but I have found that a tidy studio is much more inviting. Have a great day.

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Corinne Didisheim link
8/1/2011 12:33:43 am

Good tips and thanks for sharing the article. I like doing some collaborative projects too, every once in awhile. have a good week.

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Kristen link
8/1/2011 01:17:29 am

great article! I agree with Rebecca...I cannot have balance when my workspace is unorganized! I always do my best when I can sit down to a tidy space :) thank you for sharing this Mary!

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MegansBeadedDesigns link
8/1/2011 04:28:05 am

It the opening night mingling that is always the hardest thing for me to do. I'm shy, so I always feel like an idiot wandering aimlessly around in an art gallery, secretly hoping someone else will start a conversation with me because I don't have the guts to do it myself.

The interesting with other artists online comes much easier. lol

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RubisArtNMore link
8/1/2011 04:35:17 am

Great tips, thanks for taking the time & steps to post this and share... Will definetely keep these in mind :)

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Paige link
8/1/2011 06:51:03 am

I feel like I'm more of a business owner than an artist, but I also spend a lot of time working alone. My favorite thing to do is have the TV on in the background. I just can't deal with silence!

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cynthia eloise link
8/1/2011 09:00:27 am

great post, great advise.

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Kala link
8/1/2011 11:05:29 am

Great tips Mary. I think they are all excellent:):)

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Stephen Tatum link
8/2/2011 10:44:57 am

All great. I love #8 the most, always be learning no matter what your craft is. I have a good 70 years or so left in me and thats what I intend to do daily til my time is up on this spinning rock. #5 is another fave too, Networking is always crucial. Thats normally how doors are opened in life anyway, through random chance encounters.

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Pop Art Minis link
8/2/2011 04:40:24 pm

Great tips...thanks for sharing and thanks for popping by my blog today! Your work is awesome! New Follow!

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Jewelry By Amy T link
8/4/2011 01:06:35 am

I love this article. Thank you for sharing!

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Hilary link
8/4/2011 10:14:21 am

This is a great article - thanks!

My favorite is #7 - it's a great way to get some fresh inspiration.

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Maggie FLatley link
8/7/2011 03:02:01 am

interacting with other artists on line. Bring a caregiver at home full time, hard to go out or plan to go out.

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brandi link
8/9/2011 08:47:53 am

great tips! reading sometimes helps, too (even if it is a blog, website, etc). thx!

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Joyce Cole link
8/12/2011 04:21:55 pm

I love "Go on an excursion." When I'm feeling stale or unmotivated, it really helps to take a break. Sometimes I actually go on a trip, sometimes a drive or a walk, sometimes a long bath, or sometimes just get lost in a good book for a while....something to take me away and recharge my batteries.

To others it may look like I'm just playing around (and well I AM in a way!) but it really necessary to do if you are going to keep putting out creatively. Got to fill the well!

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Melanie Douthit link
8/16/2011 09:43:13 am

Hi Mary
I'm glad you found my blog, so I could find yours!

I LOVE this list. So true. Another way of meeting other artists (or would be artists) is to teach a class! Even a beginner. It's also a good way to get collectors. ;)

Love your art and blog. Happy Creating!!
melanie

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kae pea link
12/2/2011 02:31:36 pm

Oh I can't choose...I try to incorporate them ALL!! But I think I need to go on more excursions...don't get out much;)
great stuff for sharing! Thank you Mary xokp

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Shirley A. McElhaney link
3/19/2012 04:06:25 am

Really great article - thanks for sharing with us. Just printed it off - today's inspiration. Happy Spring.

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