Dear Artist, Readers of these Twice-Weekly Letters often send quick notes to let me know about something on the Internet — an article, a video, a demo, a book review, that sort of thing. I’ve often thought that many of…
Dear Artist, Back in the good old days, the Girl Guides used to get badges for accomplishments. Nowadays they’re also getting badges for loving themselves. The self-esteem movement is an epidemic that’s been sweeping parts of the Western World –…
Dear Artist, Work can sit on the easel for months, even years. The afflicted artist may be dedicated, hard-working and obsessive. In mild cases he takes a very long time to get to signing, let alone to making a delivery.…
Dear Artist, On Friday, Paul Caruana of Valletta, Malta, wrote, “I’m tempted to do another painting of a watercolour I recently sold, this time in oils. Would I be cheating the buyer? I’d like to do it just the same…
Dear Artist, Yesterday, Sara McManigle of Luverne, ND, asked, “How does an artist maintain the energy levels, motivation, and passion to realize her dreams? As hard as I try, I still get bogged down by others’ condescension, the financial aspects,…
Dear Artist, When I was a teenager I read a book by a hugely successful baseball player. He hadn’t always been successful, though. Early in his career, reporters referred to him as “poky” and “slow off the mark.” While he…
Dear Artist, Yesterday, Colorado painter Tom Lockhart wrote, “I work 50 to 65 hours per week, teach workshops and serve on the Board of a Local Arts Center. I judge art shows and travel to locations to paint. I earn…
Dear Artist, Yesterday, Shaun D. of Switzerland wrote, “I recently had a relatively successful solo show but now I’m having trouble getting back into my work. I want to continue but can’t proceed. I need some new ideas to get…
Dear Artist, Abstraction ranges from the meaningless abuse of paint to the most lofty and exciting of surfaces. Each effort can be a creative event — a vehicle for the mysteries of the subconscious mind and an opportunity to flirt…