Torso: Pele’s Sister, hand and slab built clay/ceramic wall sculpture with charms, one of a kind, 22"t, by Tammy Vitale, $450
Pele’s Sister will probably wind up being the first prototype of Sacred. I don’t have an amulet for her yet, but am ready to write her story. And think I may have an amulet for her in the studio.
Today I’m sitting with, trying not to fight, the black hole of winter’s short days. I think this is compounded by the fact that I presented my self/my work as a short introduction at Chamber of Commerce last night and felt like I didn’t make any connection at all. Two months practically that I have been practicing the elevator speech, working on my USP (unique selling proposition), visioning, meditating and affirming and I still have a head trip around speaking to a room that contains non-art oriented males in it (females are a bit better – again in my head). That isn’t to say that men don’t like my work. Men who are themselves artists or men who are familiar with the language of "divine feminine" and the energy of "anima" are right there with me. But presented with a crowd of corporate types, my own prejudices rear their heads and I feel totally disconnected. Yes, this is all in my head. Yes, isn’t everything?! Quite the barrier. And the old "imagine them naked" somehow just doesn’t work.
And here comes a full weekend of show. And my head is not in the right place!
Here’s more of what’s going on (I know this): I really want that Philadelphia Buyer’s Market if only to find out my market isn’t what I think it is (you see that phrasing? you see this black hole?) And someone I’ve never met has the power to just say "no." I don’t like that. But if I want to get to a different level I have to put myself into situations that I’m not necessarily going to be comfortable with in the short run or even the long run, but which will stretch me and change my world view (which stretching always does) at least the 2nd time or 3rd time around, if not the first. The first time I looked in the mirror and said to my reflection: "I am an artist," it felt weird. Today I don’t even think about it. I know how this works. Knowing doesn’t seem to change the transformation steps.
I do not wish to fall into the black hole of all of this (all of this including short winter days and presently no sun for 2 days). I do not wish to give the black hole yet more power over me (added in with a less than spectacular presentation of myself last night and the Philadelphia Buyer’s Market decision).
Maybe I just need to affirm harder. Perhaps I’ll go write: I AM worthy 25 (or 50 or 100) times and see if anything shifts.
In light of the fact that I’m going to be very busy, here are 3 days of Art Every Day work. I expect to see you again Monday. Send good vibes and white light! Think of me if you download and color in!
thought for the day: As an artist you have experienced the exuberance of creating something you like, which might be the culmination of a direction in your work or might articulate something new. It felt good. The goodness screamed out. you mastered and controlled. The power felt good. Your expectations were rewarded…
Being an artist means believing you are an artist; making a living as an artists requires mastering many of the skills and professional attitudes shared by successful self-employed persons engaged in other occupations…
Over many years our society has created a myth about what it means to be an artist. Perpetuated consciously and subconsciously by artists and nonartists, this myth is based on trading off many of the things that other people value for the right to be an artist…the myth tells us that struggle, complexity, and suffering are necessary components of creativity…that the desire for comfortable lives and financial success will ultimately poison and distort art, that a true artists is concerned only with art…that real artists do not discover themselves. Other people do…
Many of the basic problems of artists trying to enter the art world and sustain a career there are created by their feelings of insecurity and helplessness…If artists go along with the myth, they must accept the consequences of leaving their careers in the hands of others…How well you tune up your psyche depends on how thoroughly you have rejected the myth of the artists, have developed personal goals, and have been willing to act on these goals and get yourself moving. Caroll Michels, How To Survive and Prosper as an Artist: Selling Yourself Without Selling Your Soul.
12 Comments
Tammy-
The Chamber of Commerce in these parts is … well … OK, I'm not even going to write it. Please don't second guess your work for even a moment. It is TRULY amazing. I look at the torso in our home more than once a day – and she is magnificent. Everyone should have a torso in their home!!!!
Hi Tammy, Pele's sister is beautiful, I like that this time you used whites and blues! And I think you are a very courageous, it takes courage to go and talk to people about your work. I am sure that the persons (non-art orientated males) listening to you have had positive reactions, even if that does not show. Non art orientated males are trained not to let show:)!
The short dark winter-days, those are a real challenge. Your drawings reflect so well the things you are thinking of!
I send you hugs and energy, lots of!
Andrea
This torso is amazing as are you.
We all have our dark days and insecurity will raise it's ugly head from time to time. I have learned so much from your philosophy since reading your blog…you are wise, empathetic, thoughtful and mystical and all of those qualities show through in your art. You are what many of us strive to be. (((hugs)))
in 6 months this will be a distant memory. bravo to you for getting out there and doing the networking. not only are you an artist but you are in business, and you have just as much right and need to be there as the next business person.
~sue o'kieffe
Tammy, you have such courage in the way you are approaching your art and your business. That will take you far.
As far as the business types not responding to your introduction, think of it this way. Just as you ended your post by saying artists need to get comfortable with seeing themselves as business people if they want success beyond the studio, perhaps the rest of the world needs to make some adjustments too. Perhaps they are struggling with the idea of art as a business. Just because they don't get it, doesn't mean it is not valid.
Tammy,
It can get to be very gloomy around where I live as well and I visualize light pouring all over me as I take a shower, but you probably know about this. Your new female torso is fabulous. Be Well and take care,
Thinking of you dearie.
Chris!
When doing something new (and daring) we must throw ourselves out there — sort of like blowing on dandelion heads and then see what comes back to us. Right now I can just imagine one of those coporate types going home thinking – with a puzzled look on his face: "that was really an interesting presentation today – I'd like to see more of her work because something there touched me, but I'm not sure how to respond". Just remember Tammy – you are wonderful and so is your art!!
I admire your courage in tackling so many new areas. The mere thought of addressing corporate types sends shivers up my spine. Bravo for you! Tammy, you have been reaching into so many new areas with such energy and so many leads. Of course you ARE worthy! I do know the feeling of "let down" when it seems like one is talking to a cement wall. It's the pits. However, you never know if you reached an introspective corporate type who wears a "mask" and really DID appreciate your art. Again, you are brave and very talented.
Your torsos are amazing. I have fallen in love with several of them, showed them to my husband and daughter, who both know I love to draw and paint the human figure but sculpture is not my area. Someday, I hope one (or more) will find her way to my home.
You show an amazing amount of energy and productivity. There are many of us who believe in you.
Pele's sister is awesome.
Just read your first comment on this post, and I have to say, that makes a lot of sense – people need time to process a different or new perspective…hopefully, by the time you see them again, they'll have absorbed the truth and beauty of your statement.
Sending wishes for sunlight and many good vibes your way~xOx
it's true that we won't connect with everyone we speak to, but i'm sure you reached some of the people there and who knows where that could lead. it was great practice too!
i so understand the darkness that winter brings and the bad headspace that can get lodged in a sticky brain. but don't let it bog you down sweetie.
your work is *amazing!!!*, powerful, unique, and fascinating. i'm sure the weekend will go well. (((Hugs and love))) xoxo
I didn't , of course, hear your speech. But I agree with Marcie above. If your work and persona are new to them, your words need time to percolate in those corporate minds (antithesis of artist minds). Here's some wisdom you might find helpful;
"My soul has patience and containment: I am patient. I am able to live with abiguity. I am able to allow situations to evolve and alter. I am able to await outcomes. I tolerate quiet periods of non-knowing while solutions emerge and present themselves. I do not force solutions. I expect the successful working out of difficulties and differences. My heart is wise. It knows when to act and when non-action is the action to take. I trust my patient heart. I trust the power of my containment. Today I live in the quiet expectation of good" – Ernest Holmes.
Hi Tammy,
As an objective bystander, let me give you some feedback on your
speech. It was great! Short, to the point, and informative. The audience just doesn't know what to do with the information,yet. Stretching goes both ways. Yes, you are stretching, but your very presence and involvement is forcing "them" to stretch as well. Bravo for Tammy being added to the mix. Stir it up girl. Love, Marci