“You couldn’t just pick up a pack of cigarettes and smoke the whole thing. If smoking is not a habit, you couldn’t even finish one. You can stop eating bread, chocolate, with discipline. You break the habit. Just look at it and say, ‘I’m not going to eat you!’” I leave the gym with one friend and meet another. “It gets easier. The success of diet, fitness is consistent habits.”
Creative and strategies overflowing, Mubarik (from the inspiring boutique agency Ink.ae) and I are onto the subject of new campaigns at the end of a recession. In a time for companies to be leaders, how many take advantage of clients hungry for fresh outlooks?
Dubai is learning the concept of mid range. Seems you are only a big fish or little fish in the desert— twist-tied in a 6000dhs Gucci bag, or the 60dhs copy. Emerging artists are taking the opportunity to prove otherwise.
The JamJar, provides opportunity for arts culture. Curator Beth Carruthers from BC Canada, inspired Green Vision artists in Residence. Introducing sustainability in art, art and architecture.
The first Thursday of every month “Sketch” (hosted by FN Design) is an evening of live sketching, that “offers the local arts community a place to congregate, talk, create and be seen” It is exceptional to Jam Jar as an approachable place of culture in a city like Dubai. “Some consider this their first experience of an art gallery.”
Back in my studio, years of painting habits are ready to pounce. Switching from Artist as Employee, Artist as Genius and Artist as Brand. Inspire Dubai and exhale, I maintain the energy flow ? as I put into practice ‘Gathering and Presenting.’ Living as much as I can in the moment, and taking those minute opportunities to practice good habits.
Artist as Employee
Painting is like any profession in the way of habits. If you don’t put in the time, the work, the effort, the research; the product of excellence and originality will not exist. Without effective gathering there is no exceptional presentation. The days you don’t want to go to work you rely on the routine, the cup of coffee, the drive. The chores of organizing and tidying up your studio “office”. Doing a critique of your work, uploading images on your website. Even if you don’t ‘feel’ creative, you arrive.
Malcolm Gladwell coins the 10,000 hour rule. All Outliers, have put in the time in some form. To be exceptional, there are many factors, but practice and perseverance definitely makes perfect.
Artist as Genuis
Elizabeth Gilbert “Eat Pray Love” discusses the fear and pressure of producing another best seller on the inspirational Ted.com. She talks about artists being a vessel for genius. We are expressing a moment of genius, we are not genius. If we are available, working, present; like an athlete, fit and trained and ready, we are able to express that moment when it arrives.
Taking the pressure of of artists as ‘being genius’ can let the creativity flow easier. Like children happily painting, living in the moment, non critical. Let the genius be. Don’t demand, don’t resist, take the opportunity. Leave the Artist as Brand to give critical judgement.
Artist as Brand
People understand the difference between an original and a forgery. You are not only buying a product, but something that exudes the creative energy of genius. A piece of the artist is in your home.
Each original piece of art is a documentation of a visual path that narrows and focuses as the artist filters out what is of interest in their life. Artist as Brand, is the most difficult challenge for the artist as we try look objectively at our subjective and personal career path. Choosing to destroy the pieces that are not in alignment, keeping those that resonate.
As the artist we are consistently blending personal with business in our life palette. I remember in my impatience wanting more A-ha moments in my life. In all relationships, I failed to realize it was the filler that was just as important. The reverence of day-to-day quiet, boring moments.
Without gathering, listening, inspiring, there is nothing new to present. Without a presentation of what we understand or value, there will be no feedback to gather. Inhale, exhale, the necessary exhange to resonate and express what truly inspires you. Moment after moment are acts of importance. Each presentation an expression of what we understand.
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” —Aristotle. My favorite quote.
Hi Karen,
Great post… I love Ted talks and Gladwell’s Outliers is an eye-opening read.
(Another recent read, which you should track down ‘tout de suite’ is Affluenza by a Brit psychologist called Oliver James.)
But what I love even more is the Aristotle quote. I can’t believe I’ve not heard that one before. So so true.
All the best.
Thanks matt. I will look into that book! I also want to read gladwells earlier blink and tipping point.