ArtBistro

The long, long wait to be discovered can be an agonizing thing. We keep plugging away at our craft, playing by the rules, playing outside the rules, looking for innovative ways to get our work recognized, and the world continues to stream past without pause.

We endure comments like "Why aren't you famous yet?" or worse: "Have you ever thought about just doing art as a hobby and concentrating on a real job?"

Of course, society has taught us to expect Instant Gratification. "Powerball." "American Idol." "Who Wants to be a Millionaire." "You May Already Be a Winner!"

But take heart. Not everybody is an Overnight Sensation. For some, recognition comes only after years of hard work and dedication. Examples:

He was 65, a retired fisherman, when his friends and family urged him to write down the wonderful stories he told. The result: Zorba the Greek, the first of seven international bestsellers for Nikos Kazantzakis.

He couldn't read music. He was a welder trying to support a family. He taught himself guitar listening to Charlie Christian records. He'd had one shot at fame already. His first break came when he was 36 and he died seven years later at 43. But in that seven years Wes Montgomery revolutionized the sound of jazz guitar and is revered today, four decades after his passing.

He was born poor and never got beyond sixth grade. He was retired from the gas station business when he hit the road in his old black car, selling his secret recipe to restaurants and cafes all over the United States. He was 64 when he opened his first restaurant. His name was Harland Sanders. Colonel Sanders.

I'm sure there are thousands more examples of people who continued to hone their craft and pursue their dream. I'm sure many of them had adversity, setbacks, and detractors along the way. But the point to remember is this: THEY NEVER QUIT.

I didn't know Wes Montgomery died at 43. What a shame. I love his style, so smooth. Stories like these can give people hope, but it's a bit like hoping to win the lottery. I accept the fact that I will probably never succeed at least financially in Art but I'll keep trying. If it happens, great. If not I can still live in peace.

The fact is most people don't study or really appreciate Art. Most don't care. Asking people to fork over their hard earned money for something they don't understand, need or even want is quite a challenge. I sold a painting once and a year later the customer wanted to sell it back. My ego took a big hit that time. 

Art is meant to endure but our society only wants sound bites. Today Art covers our boxes of cereal, blasts our eyes with glitter and beckons us to spend our money. Is it really necessary that tooth paste boxes have foil stamping? I'm sure Andy Worhal would have loved that. 

Yes, most of us will never be appreciated. Just remember the artists changes the world. The world does not change the artist.  

Good article Jon, thanks for posting it.

jpenneba says ...

I accept the fact that I will probably never succeed at least financially in Art but I'll keep trying.

I think this is society's problem, not ours - the world measures sucess by how much money you make. And that's the only standard they judge your success or failure by. It shouldn't be our standard.

I may never make a comfortable living. But BY GOD, I aspire to be the best at what i do! if that's not high ambition, I don't know what is.

jpenneba says ...

If all society felt this way instead of chasing the next raise the world would be a much better place.

You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.