I am interested in client approval, and also public approval because I am in business... or I used to be. Not sure exactly what now. It's mostly because my income has always depended on approval by committees and groups as well as individual clients, and also, I have a sense of wanting to get it right. Right is more important than if people like it... except for the client who pays me, and I will do whatever they want since it is their picture, but I really hate it when they want me to do something I don't think looks good. Still as long as it isn't illegal or immoral I will generally choose to humor the client. I remember the worst one was when a client wanted a huge coal black parking lot in front of their building in an architectural rendering... the fact he was unhappy with my tasteful gray version of the blacktop really screwed up my beautiful painting. It hurt but I wanted the money, and more than that, I wanted a satisfied client. Customer satisfaction is very important in any sort of business. It has to be the number one priority.
I also have the good sense to listen to people who are more experienced than I, or have knowledge that I may not have. I also respect anyone who gives me an objective opinion, and weigh what they say. Sometimes it does hurt my feelings, cause me extra work to correct or just irritate me, but I'd rather know if I have made a mistake.
Sometimes we artists get too close to our work and don't see obvious flaws till they are pointed out. There is a huge difference between a critique and an attack. Any artist who thinks they are too good to receive an honest critique will never improve or grow their skills. Any person who does not accept critique of any kind, and at least consider what was said will never grow as a person. That doesn't mean that we have to mindlessly obey every crack pot that has an opinion... but if they have a point, they have a point. Critique perfects skills and should always be taken with thanks... whether you feel like thanking them or not.
Correct, the customer is always right... even when their ideas look like crap... you have a choice of whether to do the work or not... or you can try to talk them out of it if it really looks bad, but in the end, they are the boss. Other people matter less, but overall you want people to see your work and like it, then order some for themselves. For that reason if a not so influential client wants something unbearably tacky, you can always say no and offer a refund.
I don't understand...
That is correct and symbolic works can be appreciated by people who do NOT get it at all. Just look at the works of CS Lewis, Fairy Tales and even modern movies like the Matrix. Masses of people like these, but very few really get what the writer was trying to say. These stories are multiple level... If you want to believe that "The Lion the witch and the Wardrobe" is really about Lions, Fanciful mythological creatures and four little kids that find a secret panel behind a wardrobe, then you still enjoy the story. It was written for children. I read it as a child and it is fine on that level, but there are deeper meanings for those who know.
Multilevel writing is most obvious in sacred texts. The Bible seems at first to be very straight forward but it is full of hidden meanings, many of which one cannot decipher without bible history and some lost books that have recently been found. The Hindu writings are more obviously symbolic but some people take them literally and still glean something from them.
Well if it makes you happy and you can make enough to get by, then that is enough.
I agree there... besides getting a lousy job is no longer easy. I mean I used to take jobs sometimes because it was easy come and easy go. You could apply, work till you got sick of it, quit and go back into business for yourself or find another job. Now minimum wage jobs act like they are doing you such a favor, and they are so hard to come by. It's not the same as when I was young, and you could get two jobs in one day and pick which one you wanted.
OH dear... well it does take time to get things together when you are self employed. It takes time to get any business making a profit.
As for leaving the planet... well... I don't think that's a good idea. Actually it is the stupidest idea I have ever heard come out of your mouth... or typing fingers as the case may be. You are here... other people are here... be thankful for that. You are inflecting that you want to die... why exactly? I mean I feel that way too sometimes, but I realize I have a job to do, or rather I have more jobs than I can do. I am worried about not having enough time to complete my tasks before old age or senility take me over. You are young and you will need all your time here to compete what you are doing.
Life will be done soon enough, and perhaps too soon as it is. Just enjoy the bliss you get from your work, and sell your stuff.
That only goes so far. You will eventually run out of stuff. Sales are important and thus creating work to sell is also important. You should price your work so that you can afford more materials, and pay for your time. I think I have gone over that formula with you and frankly right now I'd be hard pressed to figure it because the economy is in such sorry shape. In general, twice the hourly wage someone would make working for what your skill is worth, plus the cost of actual materials used... something like that.
If your work is $10 an hour then charge $20 an hour... or if $7 then charge $15... easier to figure... plus the cost of materials and equipment bought for that project. Another words if it takes you between 6 and 8 hours to do a painting, and you spend $20 on canvas and paint, then I always figure this way:
$20 x 6 is $120
$15 x 8 is $120
It usually averages out to the same amount that way and you keep your prices consistent.
Then you just add your materials cost... $20 for example and you should charge $140 for the example. Of course it depends on how much time you have in it... and how much you feel your time is worth but that is the general idea.
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You might be lucky or unlucky to get people who even know about art. I found a better market for my work in a small town, where a commercial artist was hard to find... but with fine art, you have to test the market at different places. I have totally wasted time before with a few head shops and gaming places where I hung my work. I find that appreciation does not always equal a sale. Take it where the money is. Hang your work where people with money will see it. Restaurants and other luxury places... sadly including hospitals here are good places to hang work.
Sounds like you don't want anyone around you. I understand perfectly but eventually you might tire of it... I have. I'd like to get out more....
Yes we do, but more importantly, I really don't think you are thinking clearly right now, and I am not myself either. I get a huge sense that we are becoming our projects.
Well... Everyone is useless every now and then. People need time to pick themselves up and dust themselves off. You do too... but sometimes we don't get that time... and no I do not want the earth to start shaking people off. You forget that crazy idea or not, I feel that I am Mercy incarnate. Just because I am feeling cranky doesn't mean Mercy is ready to just write humanity off as a failed cause... even if they are not doing well right now.
In my own case, I feel that I am struggling with trying to put down too many ideas at once, without confusing them or scaring the daylights out of them. I keep feeling like a mom, wrapping my kids to go out into the snow, and getting them so wrapped that they can't move. I want people to realize what they are up against and take action to preserve themselves. In order to do that, they must step from a place of fear and helplessness into a place of confidence, strength and even excitement about their goals. I am having trouble mustering this for myself and that is the problem... hence what I said about Physician heal thyself. I have to get over being freaked out by world changes enough to encourage others.
Your family is not alone in being miserable. Most people are these days. My family isn't all peachy either. I'm not very happy myself right now... everyone is going nuts, including me... possibly including you... IDK... I admit I am lazy and grouchy and basically upset about how things are going.
Sell it.. sell your work. Keep on trying to market it. You are in NYC and I have always heard that is a great place to sell artwork.
Yep!!! Been there, done that and bought a few T-shirts. Welcome to the club. People are just like that... you aren't exactly being a peach either right now... and neither am I. We are all human and stress does that.
Oh i think NYC and public transit would drive me crazy. It's bad enough having to dive into the grocery store and grab a buggy full of groceries once in a while. I refuse to go to Wal-Mart. Walmart energy sucks.
Oh yeah... fer sure... It's something I never wanted... to be cut off like this, but I can't stand a whole lot... but sometimes, rarely I feel better for getting out. I personally have found that I like Mexican people. I like to go to the Mexican restaurant, even though I am not fond of the food because they have good energy... Chinese and Thi are also good for energy.
Well I think we are defining survival differently. I am looking for people who are ready to do something about their problems but just don't know what exactly they need to do. As for those types I find annoying, everyone I notice is wanting more, but they want instant gratification. They are discouraged because there mommy didn't give them enough money to go to the mall. No one is wanting to take any responsibility or initiative. They talk about wanting a JOB at most, but there are not a lot of self starters. You are trying to self start, but you've been sick and you are in a hell of a shape physically, your nerves are obviously so jangled and sensitive.... well it isn't easy but you will plow through as always.
Personally I think the sphere will make it... just not in the same shape it was. If it does not then I am not sure what I'll be able to do about that. I am concerned about whether human life will survive and in what way. Of course if the sphere collapses that is worse. I just think it will be OK... you don't??? Gee now I have something new to worry about!!!

Yep... I guess so... I think I have back slid to a point... I feel pretty insecure even though I know better.
Interesting point.
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I look forward to reading it.
Sounds deeply symbolic. Several interpretations are possible just from this bit. It could be a reference to mixing of bloodlines... by perhaps long frozen sperm... frozen "eggs." Blood could also mean a sacrifice of some type, like giving to or devoting time or a ritual to bring something back to life... reconstituting it's life's blood so to speak. Or I could not be getting it at all yet. I look forward to reading it all.
Well as Mercy, I have never been able to grasp non-attachment, even though I understand the theory, I cannot master it. Still in my more objective moments I see what you mean... the world is F**ked, the people are weak and kind of stupid. Everyone thinks the government will fix their problems... when in fact they caused the problem and some of them want it to get worse. I just really don't want that to happen. I want another hundred lifetimes on this planet... I am not sure why. I want my kids to grow up and die of old age, and I want everyone in the world to be fed, clothed and happy... I know all that may not happen, but it's what I want and what I fight for.
I can't imagine being indifferent to human life. It's just not in my nature but you are not me... and yes, I see it but I don't have to like it... or take it lying down... provided I can muster taking a stand.
I can't look at people in the eye, and think well it would be OK if you all died. On the rare occasion I can, even for a second with some terminally ill patient who is suffering, I think there must be something wrong with me to think that.
Ah, I can relate to that. I lived in an inner world for years, but something has awakened me back to this world. I feel about this physical world like one would think of a lover that I deliberately neglected until he was near death and then in a last ditch effort i am attempting CPR... the world has always been second to heaven... I think of it as heaven, what's inside, but still... I see that we need this world. I want this world to change. I want it to be better, but I do not want it to be gone.
I think the earth is like a cancer patient and I am pounding on it's chest with CPR when perhaps if we had given it adequate nutrition it would not be in such sorry shape now.
I'd say people who are attracted to the various elements of your story... you've always been interested in Egypt... Your keywords should perhaps include Egypt. If that is truly the main point use Egyptian looking artwork... of course there may be other elements that will become more noticeable as you write more.
That sounds good.
Target them on line by their interests. They will be spread all over. They will be doing all sorts of things, but your artwork will draw them... send out your invitation on the world wide web... use keywords and artwork that will draw them to it.
OK... I miss that feeling of feeling secure lately... I am in a tailspin... even though I am sitting around typing right now. LOL I find a sense of urgency growing in my chest... making my heart flutter.
I am noticing that feeling of being half baked in my own work as well... I really want to finish my book, but I can't because I keep restarting it. LOL I've never been so indecisive in my life.
People who are involved in this stuff will be drawn to various aspects of the story subconsciously. Plus open invites are fine, because your artwork will weed out most of the ones who will not understand.
Summoning is good. As for Niche.... my niche is people who type help me into the google toolbar. I really feel sorry for these folks. Not only are they desperate they don't understand the principles of using a search engine and they are a huge demographic of people on line. As soon as I learned help me was a major keyword, I became inspired.
It will, when the time comes.
Oh yeah that... well blending in helps. Try to just pass unnoticed. I do that a lot lately.
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I have seen a map somewhere recently as well... or more like a globe... I couldn't make it out though. On an aside note did you know the people in Russia are dying? Dropping like flies!! It is very alarming. Some say their health care system has completely failed and that is the cause. They are not having babies either... their population has dropped very abruptly. Other countries have similar problems but it's not so extreme except in Russia.
Yes we need to heal, but it feels so urgent as well... IDK... but you do need to rest your nerves are too raw...
Ah... I wrestle with these things as well...
I hope you feel better and I will talk to you again soon.
Kim