Art by Hugh MacLeod. Sign up for his daily cartoons here. Why do I always use Hugh’s artwork in my blog? Because he uses a Creative Commons License, which gives permission to use his art on blogs. Brilliant!
(This post is re-printed from a previous post on DrewBrophy.com)
Some “well meaning” people will give advice, not knowing how bad it is.
And others, well, they are bitter and their advice comes from a place of anger.
If you are going to take advice from someone, take it from a person who has already achieved what you are striving for.
Avoid dream-crushers, even if they are your parents or siblings or friends. You know the type: You call up your sister and you’re all excited because you just decided to open your own studio. She kills your enthusiasm by saying “you know you’re never going to make it. Studies show that 4 out of 5 businesses fail in the first 2 years…”
Don’t talk to these people at all about what you plan to do. Trust in your own instincts. You are on this earth to do something unique and only YOU know what that should be.
Don’t take advice from someone who has no experience in what you are trying to do because their advice cannot help you.
Here’s a list of some of the worst advice that my artist husband, Drew, and I have received over the years, and have thankfully chosen NOT to listen to:
- You can’t just surf and paint the rest of your life (Drew’s high school guidance counselor)
- DON’T EVER WORK WITH YOUR WIFE! (From the founder of one of the most prominent sandal companies in surf) Boy, was he wrong on this one.
- Don’t stop working for …Lost. You’ll never get work anywhere else (same guy, above, in 2001 when Drew decided to sever ties with …Lost, a company he no longer shared the same values with)
- GIVE UP THIS ART BUSINESS AND GO GET YOURSELF A JOB! (a former accountant)
- You can’t make a living as an artist. BE A TEACHER INSTEAD. (A teacher in High School)
- GREEN PAINTINGS DON’T SELL. Paint blue. (From a gallery owner who told us that he couldn’t sell Drew’s “green” paintings. He had them stored in his back room for months. We took them back to our studio and within one week sold 3 out of 4 of them.)
I asked some of the successful artists out there to share the worst advice they’ve ever gotten:
- “Paint what is mainstream, paint what everyone else is painting.” (A member of a Santa Barbara artists’ association, when denying membership to artist David Lozeau.)
- “Nothing in life or making art, that’s worthwhile, is fun.” (An art instructor at Pratt Institute to then student Phil Roberts – who has fun everyday with his art.)
- “You need to progress from painting in Acrylics to working in Oils, a more ‘mature’ media.”
(Laguna Beach gallery owner to Tom Laura, aka BIG TOE ) - “ART IS A BIG WASTE OF TIME.” (Professional artist Al McWhite’s father, to Al as a kid.)
As a general rule, I strive to be open to other peoples opinions and ideas. But I draw the line when someone says “you can’t” or “there’s only one way to do something.” There are many ways to make art, to earn a living, to live your life. Your life doesn’t have to be dictated by how everyone else is doing it or has done it.
My husband Drew and I don’t listen to negative advice. I guess that’s what’s gotten us this far.
Never listen to stupid advice from smart people!
WHAT’S THE STUPID ADVICE YOU’VE GOTTEN? Please share in the comments below.
Maria xxoo
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