Today I finished "Art & fear" by, David Bayles & Ted Orland
This book counts as an answered prayer.
But really.
When I think about graduating in July I freak out.
What am I suppose to do?
I feel like most of the other photo students in my classes have a decent idea of what direction they want to run in once school is done. I am not one of those students.
This book helped me feel normal.
The book is not a warm and fuzzy one, it doesn't sugar coat the life of an aspiring artist.
But at the same time it is comforting in it's own way.
If you are an art maker you should read this book.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My favorite highlighted quotes:
"Your job is to learn to work on your work."
"The function of the overwhelming majority of your artwork is simply to teach you how to make the small fraction of your artwork that soars."
"In a general way, fears about yourself prevent you from doing your best work, while fears about your reception by others prevent you from doing your own work."
(speaking about other artists)
"Whatever they have is something needed to do their work- it wouldn't help you in your work even if you had it. Their magic is theirs. You don't lack it. You don't need it. It has nothing to do with you. Period."
"When you are lazy, your art is lazy; when you hold back, it holds back; when you hesitate, it stands there staring hands in its pockets. But when you commit, it comes on like blazes."
"The only work really worth doing- the only work you can do convincingly- is the work that focuses on the things you care about."
I love this book.
ReplyDeleteI feel like the BYU-I photo program did not prepare me for a career in photography. I think a lot of people who want to do portraits and weddings only know what to do because there is a lot of help on the Internet. I want to go more the fine art route, and I have no idea how to do so. I tried talking to Bros Atkinson and Clark and they always said they would e-mail me something, but never did. My Business for the Professional Artist class was basically worthless because the prof was so scatter brained. I read a book called Taking the Leap by Cay Lang which is about being a professional artist and I found it helpful. I still wish I would have received more instruction on post undergrad life from my art professors, though. I know a lot of other grads feel the same way. So you're in good company!
That is great to know! When people ask the dreaded question, "What will you do once you graduate" I just want to say "Eh, I'll find my way." It's how I feel. I am not 100% sure on what I want to do specifically.... at all(besides creating art). And I'm sure once I do it will be subject to change after time goes by. It's one of the pros AND cons of art making.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the support. It's appreciated. :)