Road Trip!
Jelly, Misty, Dana Rogy, and I loaded our van and headed north yesterday. I decided it was time to get some feedback on my encaustic paintings from the staff of a trusted gallery. I’ve been working in near isolation for over a year and have been feeling the need to get a reading. What a reading means….I’m not sure. No one is going to change my mind about what I’m doing but I need to know if anyone else sees what I see.
Knowing when to listen to someone else’s opinion is very tricky - and intensely personal. For me, I need to feel like the work is close enough to “there” that I’ve done my part but not wait till I am entrenched in a way of working and a message to the point that input will devastate me. Timing….so much timing.
Above all, I have to listen. I don’t have to use what I hear but I need to hear what is said. I think I can learn from every comment and it’s my choice if I let it change my direction. Actually, some comments strengthen my resolve to NOT alter to please - while other comments bring something to my attention that I really want to address. It’s my art and I make all the decisions.
The best part of my meeting today was that I feel encouraged. I’m enthused about working harder and feel less like a recluse. I’m very appreciative for the help I received today. Very.
