Posting New Artwork on my Blog
I started this blog post over a year ago. This is as far as I got:
Someone asked a few posts back why I don’t show images of my new work. There are many reasons for this.
Given the name of my blog I suppose it’s a bit ironic I don’t like to show my newest work but I could never put into words exactly why I don’t show new work (hence this post never going very far) but it has always made me uneasy.
Today I read a newsletter by Robert Genn that captured a lot of how I feel about the subject. You can read the entire article on Robert’s website, which I highly recommend, but here are a few lines that I could really relate to:
The art of remaining mute is one of the keys to personal creative evolution. By speaking out and expressing our plans we often diffuse our need to do. It’s as if some of the energy required to produce the creative product is already used up by the words themselves.
Prior sharing leads to the defusing of motivation and can often trigger unwarranted misgivings. Even a discussion or show-and-tell that leads to positive enthusiasm and encouragement can take the wind out of your sails.
In addition to the idea of losing energy by sharing too much, I find that I can get derailed by outside comments on my work. I don’t always have clear ideas as to where I’m going with my work. It’s usually some vague undefined thoughts that seem to fall into place the more I work. Hearing or reading concrete ideas for where I should go shatters that fuzzy image in my head by replacing it with concrete ideas that are not my own. I become frustrated and find it hard to get back on track for my own vision. I’m not sure that makes sense but it’s the best words I can think of to explain what I’m thinking.
Over the past year I have shown some brand new work on my blog and even a few works in progress. I’m not sure why I did this - it is fun to share new work - readers do love to see it. But I need to respect my need to really work through my ideas first. While I’m not saying I will never show brand new work (or work in progress) ever again. I do think it will happen less often.
I have no doubt I will not want for things to write about and I hope this post doesn’t sound too defensive or like I’m trying to justify my plan. I think mostly I’m just talking to myself. I saw a reference to the Robert Genn post on Karen Jacob’s blog and it definitely touched on something I’ve often thought about so I decided it was finally time to write this post.
Many people have told me they don’t mind showing and sharing new work. How do you feel about it?
Posted by Lisa in: Being an Artist
rayna said,
August 22, 2007 @ 8:16 pm
I’m with you, Lisa. I don’t mind showing pieces of fabric that I’m working on or have printed, but I am finished for the time being with showing finished new work on my blog that I have made with the fabrics I’ve printed. I’d rather put them on my website gallery.
I consider my webiste different from my blog. It is less ‘up close and personal’ and when people go to my website, it is usually for an overview of my work for a specific reason — curatorial or potential purchase– or to find out about my workshops. I’ll reserve my blog for minor pieces but the important work will be on my website. Of course, that presupposes that I have finished some new work, which is NOT at the moment the case…
claire said,
August 23, 2007 @ 4:25 am
I found this post very interesting. Thanks Lisa. It might explain why some projects and ideas have died a sudden death very soon after I have shared them on my blog LOL.
Though maybe they wouldn’t have worked anyway.
I do love to share things more in ‘real time’, but over the years, I have become a little more wise as to how much, what, and when I blog about stuff.
The problem for me is that I lose interest in my work when I have finished it, I have made lots of things that I just couldn’t be bothered to blog about because the ‘glow’ had worn off.
Tracy Wall said,
August 23, 2007 @ 5:36 am
What a great topic for discussion. I have always kept work-in-progress to myself, never releasing them until completed. (Not counting the occasional crtique with other artists to problem-solve a piece.) Though as a reader of this blog, I enjoy reading about your process as you work on the pieces. Claire, I too often lose the excitement once I finish a piece. Is it because what needs to be said has been said? I’ll have to think about that one.
I’ve just recently started a blog that includes displaying completed recent work. Sometimes I have problems with finishing work, so I’m using the blog also as a spur, a committment to complete works a little faster. This gives me a chance to get some new things out before possibly going on the website. I picture my website as my gallery and the blog as a public extension of my studio. Not everything on blog will go on website.
Maybe it depends on who the blog is aimed for. When I display new work and express my thoughts of it, I am careful of what I say, there could be potential buyers out there. I originally thought it was for other artists, but it gets to be a sticky wicket when you try to categorize your audience. Yet, buyers could be artists. All so fuzzy and grey; just no distinct lines here.
Olga said,
August 23, 2007 @ 5:40 am
I agree with you completely.
Patty Altier said,
August 23, 2007 @ 6:47 am
Even though I do not have a blog, I can understand both sides of the issue. If you are fully focused and developing work, you may not want to have other’s opinion disturb your train of thought. On the other hand, a person may need to have some validation that what they are producing is good work. I can see that a person’s confidence is a huge factor.
I have found a way to show my latest pieces to a very small audience. I take my latest and hang it up at work. My co-workers enjoy the weekly or biweekly display in my office. I like getting their reactions esp. since they are not quilt artists. So far, their reactions have not influenced me as far as the colors I am using or the series I am working on. At least no one has said they hate what I am doing!
P.S. I am heading to Athens, Ohio on Sept 2 - can’t wait to see your piece!
Wanda S. Hanson said,
August 23, 2007 @ 8:00 am
I think it all depends on whether you want instant feedback, positive or negative. If you are entering shows I can see keeping it to yourself. If you are trying a new direction and aren’t sure you want to continue, it is nice to hear what others think to help you decide. Some people never need to hear what others thing, and other people always need to hear it. I say each to his/her own.
Daniel Sroka said,
August 23, 2007 @ 8:06 am
While I do have a section on my blog for work in progress, I usually only show work that I feel is 80% complete. I need the quiet privacy with my work to see where it will go. Only when I feel it has found its footing and is on its way to being complete, will I show it.
When I do finally show it on my blog, I don’t really care if I get any comments about it. I’ve learned that my satisfaction with my work comes purely from my own reaction to it. While I’m glad that others may like it, it doesn’t much influence my opinion of it.
Laura Tyler said,
August 23, 2007 @ 9:32 am
Dear Lisa,
Your work is beautiful and I enjoy seeing new quilt images when you post them. But they’re not the reason I return to your blog week after week. It’s your writing about creative process that that keeps me coming back for more. Always thoughtful. Meaty. Contrarian? Love it. Thank you for that.
And no, I don’t post images of work in progress. It seems a brave thing to do. I admire people who can do it with ease. Just not there yet myself…
In support,
Laura
Mary Ann Tipple said,
August 23, 2007 @ 10:01 am
I often wonder about people that go to critique groups. I don’t think I could do it. For me the best part of working on a piece of art is working through the problems or questions it poses. The road to discovery is a personal one for me.
Karen Christensen said,
August 23, 2007 @ 4:51 pm
When I read the Robert Genn article my first thought was something like oh phooy, dont be so sensitive. I share work that has just barely begun and its progress. I go in with an idea and find my way through it. I enjoy the feedback both good and bad but it doesnt deter my path. Everyone is different with different ideas and tastes. I make the art I do to please myself, anything less than that would not be worth doing for me.
Angela Rockett said,
August 23, 2007 @ 6:37 pm
While I don’t really mind showing newly completed work, showing work in progress has often meant the death of that piece. Basically I’ve learned that I have to be very careful about who I show in progress work to, because even the highest praise from the wrong person can send it down the drain. Don’t know why that is, but there you have it. That’s why I so rarely show step-by-step photos on my blog (I think I’ve only done it once), and why my studio space is open by invite only.
It’s kind of strange because in art school I sat through several critiques a week of my work in progress and that didn’t make a difference (except for improvement), but now that I work on my own, that’s how it is.
Now that I’m thinking about it, I treat just about any project or idea or goal this way. It seems that talking about some things gives away their power, or at least my power to achieve them. I think Julia Cameron talked about this in The Artist’s Way too.
Anyway, great topic for discussion, and good to know I’m not the only one who feels this way. :)
Diane Clancy said,
August 23, 2007 @ 6:39 pm
For me it very much depends. If I feel shakey - and I certainly do often, then I am very selective who I show work in progress - to not get thrown and diverted.
With the digital images lately, it has felt very useful to be showing new work to my blog - it is relatively new for me this particular work and it is helpful seeing reactions. But I have to be ok enough in myself about the work to show it.
I think it is very individual … and sometimes for individual to the circumstances,
~ Diane Clancy
http://www.dianeclancy.com/blog
Karoda said,
August 24, 2007 @ 6:51 am
Was the person who asked the question trying to reconcile the content and the title of your blog? The question appears an odd one otherwise and the answer makes you sound apologetic. This seems again to beg the issue which has posed a small dilemna for me…when I write a blog entry who am I writing for? to? Entries vary depending on how I anwser.
Juanita said,
August 24, 2007 @ 7:24 am
I agree with you. I have wondered why I get derailed or lose interest once I have shared my thought with others, its as if I have colored in all the spaces of a line drawing with crayons and once done there is no need to do it again in fabric.
Ann said,
August 24, 2007 @ 9:25 am
I just started reading your blog, and I have to say that I never thought about this in relation to my quilts. But I realize now that I always feel uncomfortable when people (both quilters and nonquilters) stop to look at my design wall and start making comments. Whether the comments are good or bad doesn’t seem to matter, but I feel like it is an unwanted interruption in the process of creation.
I wrote my first novel last year, and quickly learned not to talk about it no matter how much people badgered me. Their suggestions about better endings or new characters irritated me and for some reason made me less interested in the project. I only show almost finished or finished work of any kind these days.
P.S. Haven’t read all the archives, but plan to today. Love your blog!
Mimi said,
August 24, 2007 @ 9:19 pm
I was just thinking about this very subject! I LOVE to get comments on work-in-progress, because I love a strong reaction, even when it is negative. “Whoa, those are some BRIGHT colors!”, “I don’t get it”, “I love it” “It reminds me of…” or even “That’s really not my taste” jazzes me to continue, and yes, sometimes to change direction. The reason for this is because I can show something in progress, which you might really hate, and when it is completed, it may take your breath away. Only we can see what the work in progress is becoming; other people are seeing an entirely different item. That is exciting to me.
I was just wondering to myself why people hesitate to share their works-in-progress - but I do see, depending on your process, how it could (negatively) affect the outcome.
cynthia said,
August 26, 2007 @ 3:26 pm
I like showing work in progress, because it holds me accountable to finish it! Though I’m not really sure anyone really cares…
I also don’t think anyone has ever truly given me negative or even constructive criticism when I do show my work on my blog. I think they’re afraid of hurting my feelings - though I’ve only ever met a few people from blogging land in person. Though, maybe I’ve never asked for a critique.
Hope you’re easing back into your family’s back to school routine. We’re surely trying around here.
Helen Harris said,
August 26, 2007 @ 6:15 pm
Dear Lisa,
I had just finished writing my own blog tonight, “a tongue in cheek” reaction to a recent incident, when I decided to check in on your blog. I also read Robert Genn’s letter and used its ideas to help get back on track after I made the mistake of letting a comment by a customer throw me off course on my painting . Usually I’m pretty good at listening while learning from comments as people pass through my tent to view my work. I guess this time the comments came at a time when my work is changing ,making it vulnerable to the opinions of others. Julia Cameron ,author of The Artist”s Way, also gives a great deal of attention to the idea of “holding” our early creative thoughts so that they have time to grow.
I have seen your work on line and then read your blogs. The quilts ARE the visual form of what you express in your writings.I look forward to both.
Heln
http://www.helenharrispaintings.com