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Related Painting Resources

Selling Paintings: Big or Small?Sketching: Is there a Right Way?How to Right an Artist's Statement

Related Painting Resources

Making Art or Giclee Prints Copyright for Artists FAQ Signing a Painting

Do You Feel Guilty for Being an Artist? Part 4.

From About.com

The discussion on creativity and guilt continues...

"I worked for nearly 30 years in various engineering, design and R&D departments. Let me tell you, all the really good ones had plenty of artists in them. Being an artist is being creative. If you don't think it takes the soul of an artist to come up with a creative solution to the needs of society, you don't understand the question. Bridges, buildings, roads, the fabric of our world needs artists. Some work with paint, or stone or steel, others work with math and sound and genes. No, I don't feel guilty about being as artist, as such. I feel guilty that I have created so little when the world needs so much." --Starrpoint.

"The only guilt I have is that I didn't recognize my own creativity years ago when I did my first couple of paintings and didn't continue on.

But better late than never. We only have one run around the block ... why not enjoy it? ... I have always encouraged my children to follow the arts, regardless of what type of art it is, I think it is important for the human spirit to be able to express yourself no matter whether it's through painting, writing, music, etc. And no one should ever feel guilty about that." --Tootsiecat

"No one expects to know math or any other subject before they start to learn, but we are all expected to be great artist without any effort. It comes hand and hand with the idea that artist don't work. IT IS WORK. We have to learn. It is very hard work. Talent is only the beginning! Its what you do with the talent that counts, and you cannot tell by looking at someone if they can paint, play an instrument, etc. Artist are not popped out in a mold, one size fit all."--Starrpoint.

"It always amazes me: people who don't know their butt from their elbow, sound so AUTHORITATIVE and say the most damaging things like art is not real work and other gems like that ... If you suddenly gave them a brush and a canvas, they would wet their pants and after a few hours of trying to paint something discernible, they would be begging for help or stop altogether. I actually saw that happen in real life with my Italian painting teacher. Someone on the street was taunting him saying that art was easy and that he could do that too if he wanted. My teacher then shoved a couple of brushes into this person's arms together with a canvas and he turned into a miserable little worm and slithered away." -- Victor

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