The Frustrated Artist

I looked through my portfolio at the weekend, which I haven't done for some time.  Guess I was prompted by my reading of 'Keeping the World Away' last week.  One of the characters (Stella) in the book was frustrated by her attempts at painting and looking at my work I also felt some frustration at what I had produced.  I began questioning whether a successful artist can be self taught (is Vetriano the exception?) or whether it is only possible to consider oneself 'talented' after several years training.   I view some of my work with distaste and consider it amateurish at best.  However, there are one or two pieces that I do like (mostly my pencil sketches) so take comfort from the belief that I have a modicum of artistic talent.  One of my favourites pieces is the 'Ballerina' above.  I did this many years ago and it was just a very quick sketch with pen and ink.  Now that I have dusted off the old portfolio, maybe it's time to dig out the brushes and pastels and have another go.

Comments

[Jennifer]

Butterflys&Blossons - There is a small selection of my work here in the 'Gallery'. I have more but need to scan these and upload them. Happy to share and get feedback - thank you.

GardenSnake - You are so right! Everyone is very critical of their own work. And if someone else finds something to like in your work (even if you don't), surely that is all that matters.

Curses-Picaso-Curses - Thanks for this. I need to keep reminding myself that the end result is not always so important as the process of creating itself.

[Butterflys&Blossoms]

Maybe you could share some of your art with us?

[GardenSnake]

Your post reminds me that often it takes a whole lot of work, passion, creativity and sometimes even failures to produce something really beautiful. But even some of those so called 'failures' might just be something beautiful to someone else.

[Curses-Picaso-Curses]

Maybe there is no need to critique if you enjoy your work :-)