Success — Artistic and Otherwise

Recently a few friends and I have started a weekly artistic round table of sorts. We check in with each other onc-day-a-week and discuss what we’ve worked on during the week, whatever challenges might have come up, and plans and goals for the next week. I love it. This has been just one of the factors that have helped me be so productive lately

My two cohorts in the coterie are Lori Buff of Future Relics Gallery, an enormously talented Potter and Web Designer and someone with whom I’ve been friends the longest. and  Deb Seiz of Moon Wolf Photography & Paintography whose creations are quite beautiful. Anyway recently on her Future Relics Blog Lori had a wonderful article that explores what is success from an artistic point of view. (Go ahead and read the article and check out some of the lovely pieces that Lori has made, also check out Deb’s photographs / paintographs, I’ll wait here.

After writing the article, Lori sent email to Deb and myself asking for replies. I find the subject intriguing enough (the question of what makes for a successful life has been something that I’ve struggled with for quite some time) that I’d like to share the exchange with you

 

Deb answered:

Hmmm…

Ponder…

Ponder…

“Success” to me is creating something that didn’t exist before, therefore making the World a NICER place.

Further success would be knowing that someone thought enough of my work to pay $ vfor it and hang it on their wall.

FURTHER Success would be to make ENOUGH $ so that i can make more sizeable charitable donations to the folks who do the TRULY IMPORTANT work of saving other species.

ULTIMATE SUCCESS would be all of that, plus recognition of my work – MY version of “Immortality”….

My Reply:

Damn I like Deb’s answer =)

Seriously, This one I struggle with so much

OK success artistically–people you know like what you produce and give you positive feedback–then the next step–strangers like what you produce and the same–then people whom themselves produce things your respect etc — then selling some commercially (tho some of the artists who museums hunger for were not commercially successful in their lifetimes)

What part does artistic integrity play in this, holding true to your vision?

Does money = a successful life?

I really like Deb’s answer about charity and even more about creating something that didn’t exist before?

That means to me, that we are successful every time we make another person smile especially if they were hurting before

and making laughter exist where it wasn’t before? a miracle and riches beyond belief

OK Gary, you’re getting impractical

Success to me would appear to be a matter of having enough. Enough time,  money and space to be able to do what we love. Loving and Feeling love enough (and for so many of us, allowing ourselves to feel love seems so much harder, convincing ourselves that we deserve it )Enough connection to spirit so that what we do has meaning.

Material success, ok, Charity, very cool, Shining out as ourselves and bringing more love and light to the world, priceless =)

Hope that was practical enough

Peace, Love and Blessings,

G

 

 

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