An Artist Is Worth Their Time And Talent

Over the last ten years I have sold a number of pieces of my work, whether it was an original painting or a hand painted decorative sign. I have painted on Canvas, woods, slate, rock and canoe paddles.

In the time that I have been more successful in selling my works, I have been amazed at how at times people expect you to create a piece of work, specifically for them, at an extremely low cost to them. In the beginning I did work for lower than realistic prices because I was happy to be selling something. I wasn't valuing my own time the way I should have, but I quickly woke up to the reality of my work, talent and time were worth something.

Any one who creates something is worthy of being paid for their time, talent and supplies. If you work for any one you expect to be paid properly, Why should someone making something for you not be paid properly, you expect your employer to pay you properly why shouldn't the artist be paid properly?

Everyone who is using their talent, talent that they have developed, be it that they are; a writer, painter, actor, singer. That talent that you have asked them to use, it is something you don't have, so show your appreciation, show that you understand that, "the laborer is worthy of his wages." Pay the person properly, pay them for their talent.

There is no need for "starving artists", pay them for the work you requested, ordered, wanted to be done for you!

Do You…

1. Believe in yourself? We live in a world that looks at things more from the glass is half empty than from the half full point of view. If any one is going to be successful in this world they need a positive view on life, positive view on who they are. An athlete, a writer, an actor, an artist must believe in themselves in order to fulfill their dream. Whether that dream is to; write a novel that gets published, paint an image worthy of being hung on a wall, play well enough to get to the big leagues, you must believe that YOU can do it!

2. Think outside of the box? Don’t allow yourself to be satisfied with being comfortable with life as it was yesterday or the day before that. People that go beyond where they are today, that think outside of the box will grow and advance in their craft. Life will be an adventure, they will not be satisfied with common place. They will try new things and go where they haven’t before.

3. Lead or do you follow? Are you a leader or a follower?  That guy at the front of the pack, the one at the head of the race, he’s the leader. That person with the three stars on their shoulders, the general, he’s the leader. That person in front of the orchestra with the baton, the conductor, she’s the leader. Yes, we may start out as a follower, but the were a follower that wasn’t willing to stay that way. They had a desire, a dream to be a leader. Leaders set the pace, they lead the way. They push themselves to go beyond. To be true to yourself, ask yourself, are you a leader or are you a follower? Are you wanting, dreaming or desiring to go beyond and create your own style? Then you have to decide to be a leader and not be a follower. A leader will develop their own style, the follower will be happy with following someone else’s style.

4. You have tenacity? Can you see it through? Will you stick with it, even when the going gets tough? Any one who is going to be successful will want to see things through to completion. Edison, Ford, Banting and Best, Lincoln, Bell and anyone else who is known for inventing, creating, developing, winning saw their endeavours through to the end. They stuck it out, they may have had failures along the way, but they continued on, they did not quit. That old saying “winners never quit and quitters never win.” To be successful you must be tenacious, must have a stick with it attitude.

5. Like what you are doing? We have to like what we are doing in order to have fun, don’t just do it for the reward. If that is all it means to you than you might as well just quit now! Being creative should give you enjoyment, it should be fun.  Look at what you are doing, not just that piece of work, do you like what you are doing, is it fun and enjoyable. If you don’t like what you are going, quit!

Never Give Up, Rome Wasn't Built In A Day.

We live in a world that is filled with critics, people who feel they; can do something better, know more than you, feel they need to instruct others on how to do something. Ask yourself, if they could do better wouldn't they be.

There are always going to be; couch potato quarter backs, those who feel they did better when. They aren't the one holding the paint brush, sitting at the keyboard or standing on stage. They observe from the distance and make comments. They have either never tried, gave up or were so discouraged by others they feel it is their obligation to pass it on.

Don't be discouraged, don't give up. Give yourself time to develop your craft. That may take years, and if you feel you are getting better, if you enjoy yourself, all the more reason not to stop.

I have been painting since I was in my teens, I am not the painter that I was at age 13 I have come a long long way. I hear some family suggesting they are better, that they don't appreciate all that I do. There isn't an artist of any kind in this world that is loved by everyone else. Every artist has their own style, ability, and people who do like their work.

Be encouraged, have faith in yourself and continue to develop your craft. Edison worked on many inventions, not all were successful.  How many painters have been successful in their own right, have been great artist, that sold works, but we're only known to a few faithful followers.  How many writers get rejected by publishers, never give up, and one day get a book accepted for publishing.

Where would we be if some one didn't wander out of the cave? What about the person that first plowed a field and planted something? What if Bell didn't try to help those with hearing loss, the Wright brothers didn't try flying, Ford didn't try making inexpensive cars on an assembly line?

As a well known Scottish King by the name of Robert the Bruce, is known for having said, "If at first you don't succeed try, try again!" 

I encourage you to continue, there will always be nay sayers. If I listened to them I wouldn't have sold as many paintings as I have, over 500 hand painted canoe paddles, and as many decorative signs as I have done recently. 

Don't give up! Develop your craft and then develop it more. I don't promise you will be a DaVinci, Picasso, Salvadore Dali, no, you will be you! You will become the artist, with your own style and your own following.

I paint on, have fun and destress. I enjoy myself, and get a great big kick out of it when a painting sells, and so will you with whatever you are creating.

Here is some finished items and one I am working on! 

The Progress of A Painting

The following photos show the progress of my painting "Hush". From the background being completed through to the finish. 

You can see how as bits and pieces of detail are added, changed the painting takes on life. I have been told that many of my painting have a feel that you could just walk into it. I would want to walk in on this cat. "Hush" the quiet before the storm as this magnificent cat awaits some kind of prey to cross its path.

This piece took a month to get to the point I was satisfied with its finished state. From a flat non dimensional cat to a cat that has taken on dimension and life. Watching and waiting in the "Hush" of the forest.

Patiently working on a piece making adjustments here and there. Adding detail, working to give dimension to a flat animal, adding colour over colour to work the dimension. All part of the creative process, all to bring the animal to life.

Working with a piece to bring the inspiration that brought you to start on a piece to allow the inspiration to flow.

The Love of Seeing A Piece Come Together.

When you start a new project you have a vision for what you want it to be when it is complete, yet you are never sure until the brush starts to lay paint on the canvas. 

This is the same no matter what the subject, no matter what the surface. I will draw out the base image then start to paint. As I am painting I have the opportunity to adjust the colour, change an area that is highlighted, work the image to suite what inspired me to paint it. 

Every piece of art is based on the artists' vision, their inspiration to create that piece. The artist will work with that piece until they are satisfied with that the piece fits their vision. I have set aside a painting and come back to it later, have repainted portions until I am satisfied that I have what I was looking for. 

As I look back on some of my pieces from before I see how I would have done it differently if I was painting that image today.  That is what happens as you work your craft more, as you advance and try new things.

I can look at an image one day and be inspired, look at it another day and be inspired or see no inspiration. When you are inspired you see that image in your minds eye on canvas, wood or some other surface.

That vision and inspiration flows even when you aren't doing the type of work that you feel is your main thrust as an artist. I love to paint landscapes and wildlife, but I also know that selling a "painting" is the gravy. Painting other items like paddles, decor signs are the meat and potatoes to me. It could be newspaper articles for the novelist, teaching a dance or a drama class for the dancer or actor. 

It is working your craft seeing what you I visioned becoming a realty that I love. It is taking, in my case, your brush in hand pouring your inspiration out and onto the surface. Every piece I create even if it is the same image, as in any of the decor signs I make, are all individual and unique. All of them are painted with a vision of the finished piece. 

What do we see that is man made in the world that hasn't been someone's vision, someone's inspiration. All of them would have had that persons love poured into their creations. 

It is seeing that vision that further inspires me to work on a piece and seeing it come together that I love. I love to see every piece come together, I love to see the finished piece. 

The following six photos  all grew out of the other. The "Daddy Śuperhero" with the white background was the first I did, the stained background came later. I like both, but prefer the stained background. The "Welcome to our Porch" developed into "Welcome to our Trailer" and "Welcome to Our Lake House". "Mystic Beach" with the eagle became "The Beach Revisted" All inspired me to change something, customers seeing photos of one and requesting something for themselves brought about changes. The vision changed, the inspiration grew and became a finished item. 

I love painting, I love being inspired to continue to grow, I love having a vision of something and working towards that goal.

Backwoods Country Arts

Backwoods Country Arts, the new name for my studio. Why a new name, well I wanted to have a name that suggested something more than fine art, but would include fine art.

I have been painting since I was a teen, don't ask how long ago that was, let's leave it that it was some time ago. Starting with oils on canvas board, dabbling in water colours for a while, I  mainly use acrylics these days. I paint on canvas, burlap, rock, wood, canoe paddles and more.

I am a firm believer in supporting local businesses, smaller companies, even though it may cost a bit more. I support buying Canadian Made products when ever possible. If we don't support the local business person, those that hire your neighbours, your family, why should we expect them to show us support.

With my paintings I try to capture Canada and the wildlife that lives in this great country. Our children and grand children should be able to see what world awaits outside the concrete jungle they live in. So much of our world has been plowed down, paved over, built up.  Canada is a beautiful country, you only have to go down the road less travelled to see it. 

One of the surfaces that I paint on are canoe paddles. I have lost count of the number of paddles that I have painted, showing people fishing, the Western starting point of Highway One, family farms, fish jumping out of the water, just to name a few subjects.

Decor signs for home or cottage are popular. Quotes, sayings, encouraging and loving words. Painted on; canvas, pine and cedar boards, Masonite, plywood and almost any kind of surface. 

I also hold workshops that teach people how to make / create anything I do here in my studio. Backwoods Country Arts is an open studio that allows me to help others with their creativity but also to broaden mine. 

I will be sharing tips, how to lessons, projects I have completed and more in my blog. Let me know what you think, all comments and questions are appreciated.