Struggling Artist Blues

I recently sent over a bunch of art blocks to artists in cellophane. The excitement was definitely there when I sent off the bundle. Anticipation and some expectation was felt on my part although I over shot my mark. In the bundle I included a hand full of quality prints from my work. I created some of the art blocks using my art prints thinking they would fly. From where I'm sitting, I thought the artists in cellophane vendors would be happy to have them. I thought, incorrectly, people would enjoy the prints as long as some originality was introduced into the work. I was creative in making them adding bits of original touches to the blocks here and there making each one unique in their own right.



Here I sit and write this today with the "struggling artist blues". It's a cliche I know, at least the "struggling artist" part of it. It's the truth however cliche. We sweat over our work trying to create something from nothing. A blank canvas in front of us as we try to come up with some inspiration; adding some purpose to the work. I was definitely hitting a blind spot in my creative path. I do not deny it. It was the reason why I included some semi-original, mixed media art blocks for the "kurplunking" vendors. A side note, I like using the "u" instead of the "e" in "kerplunk".

Anyway, this is not to say that I didn't include some original paintings in the shipment. I did. The vendors like original work - not prints. This is totally acceptable and reasonable. Honestly, what was I thinking.

As an artist, I push the envelope a bit. Is that not what artists are suppose to do. However, I attempted to take a "quick and dirty" path - another cliche. It definitely describes my intention, do you agree? But! I put effort into making them unique and one of a kind. These pieces are mixed media combining the print with original work surrounding it.

I know now - not to include prints in my art blocks however mixed media it might be. Still, I have the blues. Honestly, I thought they were decent enough otherwise I wouldn't have included them.

It's a challenging road creating art. I keep persisting at it because I enjoy it. Otherwise, why bother - right?



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