Stupid Things People Say to Artists (Translated) by Jim Bohannon (an artist) What they say: “I can go home and make one of those.” (Variation…”My ten year old son who is very artistic can make one of those!”) What the artist hears: “I neither understand nor appreciate the talent, skill, patience, and hard work it takes to do what you do.” What the artist thinks: “Oh yeah, well, go ahead and give it a try. I sure would love to see it when you get finished with it (or when your ten year old son gets finished with it). I won’t hold my breath, though!” What they say: “You really must think a lot of your work to be charging that much!” What the artist hears: “I neither understand nor appreciate the talent, skill, patience, and hard work it takes to do what you do.” What the artist thinks: “Well, yes I do think a lot of my work, or I probably wouldn’t be doing it. Besides, I’m not charging nearly what it’s really worth.” What they say: “It must be so nice to get to work doing what you love to do all the time!” What the artist hears: “Your job is so easy compared to mine! You just get to have fun all the time!” Or…”You should get a real job, like I have!” What the artist thinks: “It is very nice to do what I love. But it takes hard work and sacrifice, and I am working harder and pulling longer hours of actually working than I have with any of the ‘real jobs’ I’ve had (and, quite incidentally, excelled at). I go through long periods of physical, mental, and emotional fatigue and self-doubt. Sometimes I wonder how much longer I will be able to afford to eat. But I keep working, keep believing, because what I do matters.” What they say: “I bet that took a long time to do. You must have a lot of free time on your hands! I wish I had that much free time.” What the artist hears: “I neither understand nor appreciate the talent, skill, patience, and hard work it takes to do what you do.” What the artist thinks: “I don’t have a lot of free time. I am devoting my time to my work. Understand that – my WORK! My art is my work. It is what I do. It is my way to honor the gifts and talent I have been fortunate enough to enjoy. YOU probably have a lot more free time than I do!”
Posted on: Sun, 07 Sep 2014 19:33:02 +0000