Do You Have A Game Plan?

What do you mean exactly by "art world"?

"Bashing your head against the wall." = to waste one's time trying hard to accomplish something that is completely hopeless.

I still have hope, at least for now but that may change.

But, to answer your question, no.

Artistry is an evolutionary process. Stagnation IMO halts the process. There's always a project in the works at the Drew's residence and yes, there is a flexible and dynamic long term plan in place.

David King, are you satisfied with where you are as far as art is concerned? Do you desire more sales, higher prices, gallery, art center, museum shows? Books and other forms of publication, face on a box of wheaties? If for whatever reason you desire more than your current status do you have a plan to try to achieve it?

I am on the learning side now a days. Piano.

I am also on the marketing side, art. Joining the Wadsworth is definitely worth it. Gives me an occasional reach into the NYC art world without having to travel. Over time that might pay off. I have other marketing ideas I wont get into here. My game plan is marketing.

Dave

I have an idea for a gallery that will sell a particular print product to interior designers and architects. I am at a point in my art experience that I feel more confident and considering paying art professionals for their advice in how to go about the business part and marketing. I have messaged some members here who sell in other types of galleries in addition to FAA as to who I can contact. It is a project I have given a lot of thought. It will take some investment of believing in my idea, money and time.

I haven't given a thought to my place in the art world since I stopped selling in art shows and galleries, which was like 15 years ago. In fact according to some people here photographers are not even in the art world. I have plans and goals for my photography and some of that includes selling giclees. But that has little to to do with being in the art world. And I am not too ambitious. I am not much of a goal setter. I threw out my dozens of blue ribbons when I started selling on FAA. I don't care what anyone thinks except those that buy.

Ronald, I would have to say I am exactly where I want to be, I continue to be inspired and driven to create new and challenging art in a variety of mediums and always curious about new mediums. I am not in the least bit perturbed about selling my art or marketing it. I always welcome sales when I can make them with little or no effort and the best thing is I follow no ones's rules but my own in the creative process. Art is a liberating force for me not an enslaving force.

I'm happily not burdened with the art world game plan of show, add to resume, show, add to resume, enter art contest, add to resume...on and on.

I like the freedom of simply selling directly to buyers who enjoy the work.

My game plan is to create work that is appreciated to the point my wife can retire.

No need for ego stroking goals beyond that.

I can't say I'm where I want to be with art, but I'm not entirely sure what it is I want out of art beyond being an enjoyable pastime. As far as selling art, I do feel like I am banging my head against the wall, I try not to focus on that anymore. Anyway, I have no game plan to speak of.

At 83, I must look back.

Making a drastic change in life, at 40, going from designing and the construction of major buildings to sticking crab claws into mussel shells, I never,never felt it was a mistake.

Creating "Art" that made the casual viewer take a second look

Deciding to make "Art" priced for that casual viewer, instead of going the "gallery" route, made the direct selling a challenging endeavor, yet a very, very satisfying one.

Satisfying enough, to allow me to take 3 trips a year to far flung places on this globe.

And how many artists here can spend a third of their time, out in nature, scavenging for their next project?


As I approached my 80s , I had to decide what's next.

Never ever considering not creating, I'm now exploring this digital thing.

And I'M GOING TO GET BY HELL OR HIGH WATER, MY BOOK "FERAL COOTS-The Saga of Modern Feralgenaria" PUBLISHED FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC!!!

"Do You Have A Game Plan?"

Yes... and it is working big-time.

Yes, I always have a plan. I plan everything. If something doesn't work, I just change the plan. I analyze everything all the time. Sometimes it's best to cut your losses; sometimes it's best to soldier on. The decision is yours. Trust your instincts. Good luck! :)

P.S. I found this article. It's interesting. It's also what I do when needed. http://blog.highperformancelifestyle.net/quit-already/

I think there's some irony between formulating a plan and the artist's relationship with serendipity.

The game plan primarily is to release my soul while out taking photographs (no plan to do any kind of commission work) and enjoy the environment while I can. Then perhaps I might find one or 2 from the lot that make for a good presentation that someone might perhaps enjoy in their own home or business. Probably do a bit of shop work on it and then post it for sale in the different media streams.

I just had a good time along the way. (Found myself laying in the middle of the desert taking photos yesterday. It was an ant-less day)

If someone perhaps ventures to purchase an image, I'll enjoy the sojourn a little bit better. And if I strike gold... well, I will be one of the fortunate one's in this sea of madness.

One never knows...

I find bashing my head against the wall creates holes in the wall which leads to freedom.

JC, rumor is that Miro use to do this to know himself half silly. This would enable him to get past his conscious mind so his subconscious mind would be able to reveal itself. If this is true he must have had some great painkillers for headaches!

Or a very thick skull.

Careful with some terms there.

Seems both Miro and Pollock liked the unconscious mind.

You can not paint while unconscious. You can not lift the brush, or move the shutter for some of you.

Miro and Pollock were trying to say subconscious. But did not understand things. The beauty of being human, when you find a subconscious thought, it is immediately in the conscious mind. Miro and Pollock were whacking themselves with head pounding and whiskey. Not needed to be an artist. Kind of takes away some of the pleasure involved.

Dave

I stopped showing my works at gallery five years ago and couldn't be happier. I decided only paint for myself and produce when I want to with no stress of deadlines, no expense for shipping, framing mounting shows I am produce better works and people found and brought my works.My artistic life is great!

Who said Unconscious?

A plan is just a starting point. It doesn't hurt to draft a self proposal. Create small but easily achievable goals; goals that are self supporting but may fit into a larger vision. Incorporate a larger vision. Make sure the vision is doable. Not a half-baked vision-of-grandeur conjured during a manic episode. A larger vision that has flexibility and can be revised many times over. A vision that will evolve as you, your skills, and your artistry advances. Do nothing in haste! As questions arise, remember them for the answers will come in time. Some may even say, take on your plan with a dose of faith. Incredible things have happened to me because of this approach.

I simply do not play the game, and so I have no game plan. (^_^)

I do art whenever I want, for whatever reason I want. I didn't have a plan going into it, and I have not created a plan to go out of it.

In other words, art plays ME.

Robert, this I believe! Nothing wrong with living in the now except for me. I have lots of children to think about so I plan and I revise. The next three years I will have three kids at the universities without taking on any debt to make it so. That takes foresight!
Anyway games are fun. Most of the challenges I have faced I've treated like puzzles, mathematical games, problems to be solved. Play On!

I believe the, "unconscious", reference was referring to a numbing of the senses, as opposed to an awakening thereof...

The adults in this thread have done nothing but provide information.
Others have spread rumors, redacted comments, and continue to make assumptions about other people.

Joe,

What assumptions?

Dave

I assume there is a plan in place for all artist. The plan is that all artist exercise free will. It is predetermined that this is the way.

Excuse me Joe,

I redacted my comments because I got just a bit too much onto my past than I wanted.

I understand LSD a great deal. It is nothing but a hallucinogenic that deceptively makes one feel as though they have tapped another side of their brain. It's simply a mind altering drug taken by folks who are desperate to escape reality. I had quite a few High School friends that never seemed to come down from some bad episodes. It destroyed their lives.

Glorifying it or any of it's effects is tantamount to saying someone is prolific at producing when they are constantly high on cocaine or crystal meth being the catalyst.

Like virtually all dependent drugs and their derivatives... it's starts out fun but ends up in disaster.

Drugs can be terrifyingly destructive.

Drew,

Yes, my game plan is psychedelic! I do have some experimental stuff that I think is pretty clumsy. I've thought of removing it. Perhaps I will.

In the meantime, I have found a real pleasure in finding back roads with interesting landscapes. The seasonal change here, along with the rains, has made this especially good recently.

California landscape is hard to beat.

Glenn, some friends of mine sent a video of painted ladies in Ventura, it is amazing! Are there lots of these butterflies where you are? Have not seen it up here in Sacramento as of yet.

...

Ronald,

I was lucky to have a couple hundred panted ladies visit my small wildflower garden here in Iowa year before last and they stayed for almost 2 weeks. Butterfly heaven! I got tons of shots and have probably a dozen or more up on FAA. I saw the stories on the massive migration out west a few days ago. Great stuff.

Cheers

Ronald,

I haven't noticed much in the way of butterflies. Loads of Poppies... along with loads of people in the more visited spots. Thousands the other day in Walker Canyon. The dirt roads looked like Main Street Disneyland. One of the reason I struck out to the back roads again.

Just posted this one from Walker Canyon though. https://fineartamerica.com/featured/rolling-hillsides-of-color-glenn-mccarthy-art-and-photography.html

Don,

I did not compare Meth, Cocaine and LSD... except to note the prolific amounts of work done due to their effects.

I have personally dealt with the effects of crystal meth in family members. It is an unforgiving hell. It makes LSD look like childs play.

To say that psychedelics are not mentally addicting is completely wrong. They are mind altering... taking defenses away. You may not die physically from overdosing... but they will slowly kill your sensibilities and sense of reality... and steal your self worth.

I heartily disagree with your analysis regarding mind bending drugs. As for those who do scientific research on them... they are generally the same ones (in different suits) who hoisted them on unsuspecting people.

They are hardly a good part of a plan, I think you'd agree.

Great shot Glenn!

Thank you Ron

I grew up in Ventura and some years my mom would get the family up to see the wildflowers, if she was around today she would of loved this!

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This discussion breaks the sites terms of use... That's Sean's main rules

No drug talk please

I'm not much for the "art world".

I make pretty pictures. I like it when I make a little side money by selling prints as passively as I possibly can. Enter FAA.

I would like to make more sales per year in a more consistent manner. I do have some ideas that I hope to implement this year, that will hopefully drive more traffic to my work.

I never feel like I'm banging my head against the wall.

Glenn,

Great shot.

Dave

I have noticed that many of you are generalist, meaning many subjects, styles, and mediums and some of you are quite specialized, IE bird painter, portrait photographer or whatever. I was wondering if this works for you, how you got to this point and if you think this is the direction you will continue to go?

"No drug talk" I would have to agree with Abbie and Sean. The youth of today do not need to have older artists condone their foolish follies of yesteryear.
We Kewl! Fist Bump!

Thank You David Bridburg.

My master plan in motion!

I don't think my plan has worked for me. Give me another five years, okay?

I am in a Gallery, I did my taxes and hopefully I can still paint in prison.

No seriously, I made more this year, but spent more putting me even more in the red than ever before...so no...I'm not figuring it out, but I'm grateful to be able to do this and to speak on it.

My art has done more than I could have ever planned.
I do feel as though I've reached the end of a cycle, though.
Not sure what the next revolution will bring...

And that is a very cool pic, Glenn.

Over the years I have often reevaluated my goals and directions. It is a rather fluid thing, never seems to effect my work just where and how I submit or promote it.

What did I miss? In terms of a plan...I think maybe that should be on my grave marker.

Tony,

I am seeing you for the first time. Is that you?

Dave

Flexibility within a plan allows foresight from the past to fit into the present or increases the likelihood to find a place in one's future. The old parable comes to mind. One reaps what one sows.