HOW NOT TO BE PROFESSIONAL

Today’s post is a link to my regular column in The Crafts Report on how not to look like a professional artist.


THE PROFESSIONAL ARTIST HOME SURVEY

I read an article in a professional magazine today, about how to tell when someone is a professional artist. According to the author, it’s not how much work you sell, or how famous you are, or how seriously your work is taken. It’s when you act like a professional. Criteria includes adhering to a schedule; a dedicated space that’s organized and distraction-free; technical skills; talking intelligently about your work, and dealing with customers fairly.

Some of these markers are a snap for me. I can talk like a house afire about my work. I have technical skills.

The other stuff? I’m in trouble.

So I present for you today, an imaginary home visit from the professional artist assessment team….

Read more….

Author: Luann Udell

I find it just as important to write about my art as to make it. I am fascinated by stories. You can tell when people are speaking their truth--their eyes light up, their voices become strong, their entire body posture becomes powerful and upright. I love it when people get to this place in their work, their relationships, their art. As I work from this powerful place in MY heart, I share this process with others--so they have a strong place to stand, too. Because the world needs our beautiful art. All of it we can make, as fast as we can! Whether it's a bowl, a painting, a song, a garden, a story, if it makes our world a better place, we need to do everything in our power to get it out there.

8 thoughts on “HOW NOT TO BE PROFESSIONAL”

  1. *TeeHee* Based on your imaginary assessment, Luann, I guess you failed the “dedicated space that’s organized and distraction-free” criterion… like most of us would. What a silly way to judge an artisan’s “professionalism”… I mean, how much inspiration can we get when everything is put away in it’s proper place and I can’t see it or play with it? I’d rather be in your studio happily matching the feathers and the pellets any day LOL

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  4. Lol… that was great. 🙂 That’s why I love your studio! I can relate on the need to talk intelligently and deal with clients professionally. Always a struggle for artists… trying to explain our process really.

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  5. Isn’t it great that we can hide under the guise of the title of “artist” to get away with collecting all this stuff? My favorite expression to myself and others is…”I might need this for an art project someday.” And so the hoarding continues.

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