Artists, especially art students, who feel like everything should be handed to them on a silver platter GET UNDER MY SKIN.
You know, I don’t even tell my friends at the college about my new art endeavors anymore? I once made the mistake of telling my group of school friends that I had gotten a drawing scholarship. They literally rolled their eyes in front of me and muttered, ‘good for you.’
Huh?
When I went home and found out I had won other scholarships for that semester, I kept it to myself.
You see, I work hard.
Like…all the time…until I physically get sick. (I am in no way advocating this lifestyle…merely making a point here)
I have a dream of ending up in New York City.
Good things don’t come to people who wait, they come to people who work their asses off. And, boy, do I ever.
But, a lot of these art students I’m surrounded by don’t work, and then complain that they never get shows or scholarships.
DUH! You’re adding 2 + 2 and getting 5, my darlings.
I feel like the vast majority of students at this school have a supreme air of entitlement…but then, when I talk to friends I have on the other side of the world in their individual art institutions, it seems to be a common occurrence.
I hear the excuse, ‘Yeah, but I’m still a student, so I don’t have to worry about any of that stuff yet. I’ll have a solo show once I graduate.’
Really? You’ll have those connections formed, will you?
When you’re in art school, it is ALL about networking.
As an artist, you are a brand. Your work is the product, but while you’re still developing that product, you’re brand has to start getting some recognition.
It’s a big game of marketing, the art world. And you need to get in the game as soon as you can.
Is it laziness that prevents these students from getting their work out there?
Yes. I think it is.
Don’t say, it’s because they don’t have the right resources.
As an artist, you have to go out and find those resources. YOU make the connections. I spent four months in the summer after my first year of college living by myself in this strange, new city (that I’ve come to call home) all for the purpose of meeting the right people in the art world.
If I can do it, anyone can.
It’s all about persistence, and confidence.
So art students…stop making excuses…and GET OUT THERE. Stop thinking if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. MAKE IT HAPPEN.
No better time than the present.
Much Love
-Delusional Artist
You are so right!