Perception and Reality
Avi and Big Al
Avi Cohen (the owner of Alborozo) actually commented on my blog recently. Technically it was signed “Avi Cohen and Alborozo” (How cute is that?)
My initial reaction was “Cool!” Which was then closely followed by my usual “Aw crap!” moment where I wonder about what I said and how I said it. You know for some people (like patrons, potential patrons, horse owners whose horses I want to paint etc.) I like to appear to be a professional artist (whatever that is.) And not like my usual self, which is something closer to a “40 something” who’s channeling a teenager.
When I started my blog I had seriously pondered how I would present myself here. I could pretty easily fall into professional mode, but frankly that seemed kinda dull. Especially when thinking of blogging for the long haul. On the other hand since I’m promoting the blog on my website (which hopefully reads professional) I had considered it carefully. How people perceive you can definitely impact sales. The beauty (and horror) of this on-line medium is that you can portray yourself and pretend to be anyone. The other thing is that most of the time it’s kinda like writing in a diary. But I seem to forget that people (many more people than I would have guessed when I started out) actually find my blog and read it. (yup, that part still weirds me out. But seriously you’d think I’d grasp that that is the whole point of a blog.)
My initial reaction was “Cool!” Which was then closely followed by my usual “Aw Crap!” moment . . .
Down To Earth
Often I ponder what perception people have of artists. That mental image you form in your head when someone says he’s a doctor, lawyer or an artist. Often when people meet me they comment on how down to earth I am. I usually respond with something like “shoveling horse poo every morning tends to keep me grounded in reality.”
In the end I went with my bloggy personality being someone who is pretty much myself. Hardworking, kinda silly and who gets uncomfortable with too much praise.
So now I’ve admitted that I thought Avi commenting on my blog was “cool” which then makes me decidedly “not” cool. Because if I was a cool fat cat artist I would be “so above it all.” But I’m not. I still enjoy simple pleasures like when people comment on my blog. So thanks to all of you who like me for who I am, and keep me motivated to share my world.
Tags: About Me
Ahh, I definitely like you for who you are!
I know what you mean about people commenting that you’re down to earth, because to be honest, I’m always pleasantly surprised (and relieved) to find that quality in an artist. Personally, I find nothing more “uncool” than someone who thinks they’re above it all. Or people who suck up to those who think they’re above it all! I think this is one area where I am going to struggle. I always find that when I go to exhibitions there is always someone who expects you to join in with them in sucking up to someone or other and I really can’t be bothered. Somehow I need to find that balance between showing people respect without feeling like I’m doing the sucky thing!
Speaking as an art collector, your being real and appreciating Avi’s including Alborozo in the signature is a lot more interesting. If you were too Professional and Impersonal, I’d be put off. I wouldn’t have gotten to know the cool artist who’s got a sense of humor and loves life.
I always thought the point of being an artist was to not have to stand back from life and be Professonal, not have to say “This isn’t Personal” or sweat over public image and put up a facade separating your work from everything real in your life. That art is a way of life demanding some passion for painting and enjoyment in the process obviously — and someone who needs more social elbow room than most people.
It’s not a profession where you have to be phony. If you’re real from the top, the people who like you will buy your art because odds are they share your tastes. As in, all those horsy people obviously share your love of horses. If you lose out on some pretentious sorts, you’ll gain every time you run into someone who likes you — and since the real you is a very likable gal, I think you’re better off in the long run.
Why should art be treated like Upholding the Image Of The Firm and conforming to some sort of corporate professionalism? Phrases like “human resources” chill my blood, because it suggests profit over everything real in life. To me art is an antithesis of that way of life, art’s about living in the real world and seeing how richer it is than any social construct.
Just some thoughts.
I think even in terms of other people’s expectations, artists get seen as nonconformist, colorful, original personalities. People get an artistic license to be more expressive in everything with the label “artist.” What might be surprising them is a lack of crystal waving and weird theories about life and assorted colorful eccentricities — finding out the great equine artist is just another horse lover shoveling manure every morning is a happy kind of recognition. That’s respect! Enjoy it!
Really good comments from both of you. Lots to think about. I think I need to ponder it all a bit more. In the end I’ll always be myself but I think sometimes this approach benefits and sometimes it doesn’t.
I work with hundreds of artists each year professionally through the gallery and then again hundreds more working art fairs. There are plenty of both types of artists. So I suppose I tend to have a bit of an identity crisis from time to time.