Are You Intimidated Around Art? Around Artists?

Do you feel awkward around art and artists when you visit a gallery exhibition or any type of art event?  

Many people do because they feel they don't know enough about art and the history of art to have a conversation with the artist.

Or to ask the staff about the paintings or sculptures that are being shown.

They don't want to ask a question that makes them seem less than knowledgeable than the average person.

And let's face it, many people are intimidated when they are standing near talented and creative artists.

I know as a creative person myself, when I meet someone whose work I admire, I feel intimidated too.

Have you ever felt like you want to ask about an art piece but hang back because you don't know how to ask the question or use the right terms?

Let me explain, as an artist myself,  the irony of the situation between the viewer/visitor and the artist! 
 

Artists also feel nervous when presenting their work to the public because their artwork is so personal to their inner self. 

Artists usually work by themselves most of the time, just have to answer to themselves and suffer self-doubt along the process. They don’t go to meetings to get suggestions and advice while creating a piece.

They also have to teach themselves to be sellers of their vision. They worry if anyone will like it enough to own it. They obsess about what to say if someone comments about their work, especially if the viewer doesn’t like it or understand it.

So now we have a situation where visitors to the exhibition are intimidated by the artists and artists are nervous about showing their work to the visitors!

Crazy situation isn't it?

Why visitors should not be intimidated to talk to artists about their creations...

If a painting or other type of artwork speaks to you, that is all that really should matter to you and you really have to know about it. That is the most important aspect of the whole meeting between visitor and the art itself. If it speaks to you, you must own it.  It is that simple. Because you will have the same feeling every time you look at it in your home or office.

You don't have to know the style or period of the piece, the message that was intended by the artist, the medium used. It spoke to you and reminded you of something that created a reaction from you. That reaction could be a feeling that stirs your heart, or it could be a reminder of an event or bring up a memory. Your reaction is the most important result for you as the viewer.

These are all good questions to ask of the artist if you are interested in knowing the style, the message intended or mediums used. But they are secondary to your connection with the piece of artwork itself. Then the negotiation of the price you are willing to pay for it should take place.

Something attracts you to the painting. Exploring that is the most important thing to focus on.

What do you feel when you see the painting? Happy, excited, mellow, mindful, spiritual, comforted, peaceful, etc? Is it the colors, the landscape, the boldness, the subtleness, the quietness? I could go on but you get the gist, right?

Artists feel so relieved when someone comes up to them to talk about their creative work...

They feel so awkward when they are standing near their work alone and no one is approaching. They start having all kinds of feelings about their work. Some artists begin to think that it doesn't appeal to anyone or isn't good enough, and they should give up painting, etc. etc. etc. I told you that it gets very personal.

Many viewers come up to my work, whether they can buy my paintings or not, and at least say, “I love your paintings.” Some add, “They make me feel happy”. And I appreciate those comments greatly.

So let's stop this Dance of Intimidation that we both are doing ...

I don't care what you know about art and you shouldn't care if you know little about art.

When I buy a house, I don't have to know about architecture.

When I hire a plumber or a contractor, I don't have to know what tools he/she uses or how to build a sunroom. I just have to show them a photo of what I want and a guarantee of the results.

The same with all the other professions. I hire them because they know what they are doing in their profession, not what I have to know about every detail of their process.

Fine Art creators need your support by purchasing their original art. Or question them if they offer prints of their work or the payment plans they might offer.

It has been proven that viewing art is healing for your health so the benefits of having art in your home or office environment are huge. Especially in stressful times or for those in stressful careers.

Like any business, if they are not supported by the public through purchases of their products, they will have to close their business. Enough of this “starving artist” theory. Art is a business, a creative business, that society cannot ignore or they will cease to exist someday. So if you cannot afford originals, at least ask about prints.

If you appreciate visual art, own it. The creative industry depends on it or they will direct their energies elsewhere.

#appreciation #abstractart #intimidated #art #artists #arthistory #artbusiness #health #healing #ownership #creative