What I love about being an artist.
This may sound really strange but I'll say it anyway. I wouldn't dare post this on my official website. I guess because it's a little too personal.
But.
I seem to be having a kind of renaissance experience in how I deal with other people. And I think it's because now I have something tangible that I can provide for them. Always before, if people liked me or were my friends, I was always trying to figure out WHY. I couldn't understand why they chose me to be chummy with, because I personally don't think I am all that warm and amiable. I realize I can be friendly and courteous, but I also know that at the same time there is something 'aloof' about me that makes it a little difficult for people to totally relax with. I guess what I'm saying is that I am slow to trust, and when people are friendly towards me, at the back of my mind I am thinking, "What is it they want? What are they expecting?" Now...that is still an issue to be dealt with, for sure. There is still more to figure out on that part of it.
However, now that I am painting regularly (and for a living!), I realize I have something tangible to offer. No, it is not the solution to my strange sense of not trusting. But it moves me in the right direction. I have so much more confidence in meeting new people. It has happened because as an artist you have to sell yourself. I have never enjoyed 'sales,' but as an artist I believe in what I'm doing...so when I sell art, I am passionate about it, and it comes easily. People see that in me, and they become interested. And then, at that point, I am able to provide them with a service, which is original art. The byproduct of all this is that I am much more comfortable in socializing and taking the extra step to really get to know people that I ordinarily would not. Even Brian has noticed it.
Yesterday morning we were drinking coffee on the front porch and two guys walked by with a dog. I yelled out "Hi!" And then they came up the steps and we all talked for about 15 minutes or so. After they left, Brian asked, "So how do you know those guys?" And I said, "I have never seen them before, until this morning." He was shocked, and started laughing. Because that is just so NEW for me. Ha.
But.
I seem to be having a kind of renaissance experience in how I deal with other people. And I think it's because now I have something tangible that I can provide for them. Always before, if people liked me or were my friends, I was always trying to figure out WHY. I couldn't understand why they chose me to be chummy with, because I personally don't think I am all that warm and amiable. I realize I can be friendly and courteous, but I also know that at the same time there is something 'aloof' about me that makes it a little difficult for people to totally relax with. I guess what I'm saying is that I am slow to trust, and when people are friendly towards me, at the back of my mind I am thinking, "What is it they want? What are they expecting?" Now...that is still an issue to be dealt with, for sure. There is still more to figure out on that part of it.
However, now that I am painting regularly (and for a living!), I realize I have something tangible to offer. No, it is not the solution to my strange sense of not trusting. But it moves me in the right direction. I have so much more confidence in meeting new people. It has happened because as an artist you have to sell yourself. I have never enjoyed 'sales,' but as an artist I believe in what I'm doing...so when I sell art, I am passionate about it, and it comes easily. People see that in me, and they become interested. And then, at that point, I am able to provide them with a service, which is original art. The byproduct of all this is that I am much more comfortable in socializing and taking the extra step to really get to know people that I ordinarily would not. Even Brian has noticed it.
Yesterday morning we were drinking coffee on the front porch and two guys walked by with a dog. I yelled out "Hi!" And then they came up the steps and we all talked for about 15 minutes or so. After they left, Brian asked, "So how do you know those guys?" And I said, "I have never seen them before, until this morning." He was shocked, and started laughing. Because that is just so NEW for me. Ha.