Whiney and insecure

Artists can be so whiney and insecure sometimes. They need to be the center of attention, constantly stroked and admired. What's my point? I was invited by the Art Garage in Green Bay to exhibit this spring. I'm torn between what to do. I already said yes, but I didn't sign a contract yet. I'm waiting to see what kind of responses I get from the art show and exhibits I've applied to before I go out and print a whole bunch of new stuff and mat/frame it. My photo came back from the Center for Visual Arts in Wausau. 54 pieces were selected by the juror, only one piece sold.

Maybe it's not whining and insecurity that's my motivation, but fear. People all over are holding back on purchases, so why not me too? Many of the more expensive art shows are extending deadlines and looking for submissions. I think it's because of the economy. Artists aren't applying to shows because they expect fewer (not less) customers.

FEAR is the enemy. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. It's going to keep our economy and jobs going down the toilet. I've got no answers to this problem. I can't go into peoples' heads and flip a switch.

Speaking of which, I wish to switch, and comment on Mary Louise Schumacher's Art City blog post to the woman who took her daughter's to the Milwaukee Art Museum. First I would like to know why this woman took her daughters to the MAM. What was she hoping to see? She walked in the door with a closed mind, and she didn't leave with it opened. As I wrote on this woman's blog, next you'll be burning books that you don't like, or at least going to your library and demanding that these books be removed.

Not only that, she is influencing young minds to avoid diversity and to be closed minded, too. Fear, I think, is also her motivation. She fears something she doesn't understand.