One of the questions artists most often ask me is, Do you think this makes sense for me? My best answer is usually two more QUESTIONS. Find out what I´m talking about here. Email Article Print Article Bookmark RSS Related Content:   Artist Finances   Websites for Artists   Copywright Laws for Artists   Create Your Blog

What sorts of opportunities are we talking about? These are fairly typical:

• submitting artwork to a well-known, national - or international - show
• displaying your art at a local restaurant, or shop
  entering a prestigious, juried show
• donating artwork to a charity
• posting your artwork on an 'artists' group website
• approaching a particular gallery
• following up with an art opportunity in another city
• hosting a studio open house
• submitting a proposal for an artist grant

Many artists have opportunities like these relatively often.

How many of them have come up for you? And - here's the harder question - how did you decide which to choose, and which to pass up?

I think it probably comes down to what's most important to you. And that's what I'd like to spend a bit of time on today....

1 - WHAT'S IMPORTANT?

It's safe to say that "important" means different things to different people. And depending on the situation, it can even mean different things to the same person.

For example, "important" can mean:

• urgent - something that simply must get done, now
• high priority - higher on your '"to do" list than something else
• meaningful - to you personally, to your friends and family, or to the world
• significant - having a noticeable impact on you, or others
• valuable - information, or an experience, that you'd like
• crucial - absolutely necessary to your outcome or goal

I invite you to sit quietly for a few minutes and explore what important means for you, "the artist."

Ignore for a moment your artwork, your collectors, your workspace, the shows and exhibits you've had - or might have. Ignore what you think you "should" do, or what others say.

Explore instead what's really important to you. In a quiet space, explore what makes you, the artist, feel great, energized, jazzed, warm, comfortable, fulfilled, full, centered, etc.

Feel into it, enjoy it, deep in your gut. (Are you smiling? I wouldn't be surprised....) Stay there as long as you like.

And remember what you're feeling right now: That's what's really important to you.

2 - BASE YOUR ART DECISIONS ON WHAT'S IMPORTANT - TO YOU

Next time an art opportunity comes your way - say, donating a piece of artwork to a charity - you'll have two ways to evaluate it:

ONE: Does it support your art career goals? Will it move you closer to what you're trying to accomplish?

TWO: Does it resonate with what you feel - deep in your gut - is really important to you?

If you can answer "yes" to both of these questions, I urge you to really go for it!

Gather up all your energy, and enthusiasm, and determination - and give the opportunity your best effort.

Because you can be sure this will be an opportunity that will move your career forward - and nourish you, personally, as an artist.

As a result, you'll have even more energy, enthusiasm, and determination for the next opportunity that you create.

3 - HAVE MORE FUN

Okay, here's the best part. (Now I'm smiling....)

Have you ever noticed how time flies by when you're doing something that you're really excited about?

Have you noticed how a relatively difficult task can seem almost effortless - if it's really important to you? If it excites you?

That's what I find so fabulous about all this.

If you can truthfully answer "yes" to both questions above - you will have more fun.

It's inevitable.

Guess you'll just have to get used to being a happy, fulfilled, energized, smiling artist.

YES!

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