Social Interaction

 

As a painter or a dancer or a singer or a musician or any other performing artist, there must be social interaction to succeed in delivering your message.

Most of the social interaction must be about sales. 

A painter cannot sell a painting without some reason for it interactive with the viewer. The colors and style of presentation will not appeal to everyone, but with some explanation of the preference for the piece, the viewer may get a better understanding of the artist approach and appreciate the work better. 

A musician can write a song or piece of work but without a listener it does not fill the air. Again a title that draws a listener in can help or a video but the notes of the piece are what convinces the song to be played over again or purchases or shared.

A dancer can have acrobatic moves but until someone else watches and appreciates the amount of work put into it there is no interaction.

Artists engulf themselves in the passion and technique of their art, yet many times do not realize there is another side of presenting it to the public. 

There is the immediate satisfaction of an artist when someone stops to look or listen but that should not the full commitment of the producer. There must be social interaction to insure the viewer or listener receives the true message of the art.

Imagine it, compose it, perform it, then sell it.

Applause please

Having worked on both sides I wonder why certain jobs get applause? Celebrities or performing artist or political figures get applause when they inter a room. Rock shows and symphonies and Broadway shows get applause when their act is over.

But what about the rest of us?

Does anyone show approval for the daily struggle to provide for the family by working for someone else for a paycheck and if you accomplish the goals can possibility get a raise every now and then. Does that show appreciation for the effort?

Recently I was at an outdoor art fair walking pass tent after tent of people displaying their creations. Some were full time artisans while others portrayed works as a side business or hobby. How many hours or days or months did each put into their carvings or paintings or jewelry or textile works only to be passed by as a stream of others who do not take the time or effort to be creative walk by. 

And those who wander through the museum observing items chosen by ages to be classics do they show approval of what they see? In silence they shuffle through talent long since gone but still admired. Perhaps their presents offer enough appreciation for the artist’s vision.

So while we momentarily approve of the famous or their presentation by clapping our hands together, shouldn’t we show the same for the factory worker or the insurance salesperson or the doctor or trash collector for they all do a valuable contribution to our lives. 

Put your hands together. 

Bravo.

What is your favorite color?

Again it has been a while since I used this platform, but I realized there are lots of others out here who have ideas, opinions, and tips for trying to be creative. 

So I will continue to present ideas or listen to opinions or even share some old tips from my catalog of knowledge on the subject but will temper my writing with some odd comments that might just make the reader think. That was the idea in the first place.

So I will ask, “what is your favorite color?” 

As a graphic person I started out with a box of crayons. Eight little waxy color sticks wrapped in paper. Primary colors on a limited size newsprint paper were my pallet. 

Then there were more colors and more colors. The medium changed from crayons to pencils to ink to paint. The paper changed to canvas and the art turned into blending available colors into new variations. 

A vast array of possibilities presented themselves to me, but was it too many?

I look upon an orchestra and think of the third chair violin. He or she will not get the solo parts or the accolades from the conductor but will accept the applause the same as the first chair. There is a reason to be there and without that part of the orchestra something would be missing.

The same is true for the performer who works in the background behind the leads. They fill in and present the substance for the lead dancer or singer to work from.  

Like the painter who exhibits in a gallery next to others, some know and revered and others struggling, without their presentation there is no variety. 

So as I look at the box of colors they are all important.  

Have you ever watched?

Someone creating something allow you the access to look over his or her shoulder and observe the process.

There are videos of painters, musicians, and dancers practicing their trade but it is different when the creator is oblivious to you being there.

A friend of mine calls it “parallel play” which is being in the same space without bothering each other and feeling free to follow individual inspiration.

To stand next to a creation taking place, I suppose that is what festivals and concerts are about, the performing artist in live action before an audience, but so few quietly appreciate what is appearing before them.

An artist who can absorb themselves in their art without the annoyance of another presence can be revealing and inspirational.

Promote Yourself

As an artist, you realize what inspires you to create but can you show anyone else how to get that feeling.

Your art will speak for itself but in the world of changing ideas and expectations, your inspirations into a career to make a suitable living to survive may need to be promoted.

Make a name for yourself.

Not just a name; an image. A brand.

Take a look at the magazines at the grocery store while waiting to check out. Pretty faces and big headlines that are interchangeable, but people pick them up and flip through the pages while stacking their cereals and cheese slices and diapers on the moving rubber belt, mesmerized by the activities of these people.

Of course, this just doesn’t happen.

One must put down the creative side and put on the “business” side.

One must appear in events, rub elbows with those in the production industry, those who are already in the local conversation columns, those whose names are passed around to impress others in the name.

So what is the magic formula?

There is none, BUT with that said, there are some typical actions to take.

1. Know others (networking) in the same art form. Hang out with them. Observe their art.
2. Evaluate what their work offers, then take a close look are your work. Do you want to continue to go down the same road or change?
3. Present yourself and your ideas. Don’t sit back, explain your art as you see it and listen to responses.
4. Take the criticisms and comments as positive instructional education.
5. Most important, observe what other’s trend to. This is your audience and to be successful, which means you will produce art that will pay the bills; you must perform to their approval.

You can be shy and create your art at home, but to be successful, you must promote yourself.