WOOL SOCKS AND OVERPRICED ART

In 1989, the National Gallery of Canada purchased a painting by American artist Barnett Newman for 1.8 million dollars.  The painting – entitled The Voice of Fire – consists of a red stripe painted on a blue background and was originally painted in 1967.  Its acquisition created no end of the controversy for the National Gallery who even now, over two decades later, still hears about it from time to time.  After having worked at this amazing institution for six years, I was able to hear first hand how people felt in regards to its purchase and further more, what people considered to be art.  Please believe me when I say that – when it comes to tax dollars – the public, by no means, felt the need to hold back on their feelings!  And as the person on the other end of the Gallery phone, it often left me in the middle of an emotional crossfire!  But having said that, I did learn something extraordinary from it all…something that I believe is partially to credit for why I am here…today…on this blog…running this business…

I can’t tell you how many times I heard the following statements in regards to the credibility of The Voice of Fire; “I could have painted that!” or, better yet “My five year-old could have painted that!”  Of course, with the implication that we should have paid their five year-old 1.8 million dollars to have done it instead {I mean really, who wouldn’t?!?!}!  But here’s the thing…you didn’t paint it.  Nor did your five year-old.  And that is more the point than one might believe.  It’s like those people who go to craft shows and then say “What…$20.00 for a pair of wool socks?  That’s crazy…I could make those myself!”  Right…but you didn’t and let’s be honest, you probably won’t!  And that’s why that woman is sitting there surrounded by eighty pairs of handmade wool socks {selling for $20.00 a piece!} and you’re not…because she did do it!

I bring this up because I get asked quite often for tips on how to get into photography or how to start your own business and I believe – at the end of the day – that if I were to be very truthful, then I would have to say that the real difference between those who succeed and those who don’t has far less to do with talent and far more to do with following through.  Of course, taking beautiful images or painting beautiful pictures is important {especially because it becomes the foundation and passion that ultimately drives you} but let’s be honest…artistic merit is rather subjective at the best of times.  What you consider inspiring  and exemplary will likely not be what I consider to be inspiring and exemplary.  And that’s okay.  It’s great even because that’s what opens up the door to all artistic creativity.  There is room for all of us.  But a big part of the reason {in my humble opinion} why Newman’s painting is hanging on the wall of a national institution with 1.8 million dollars in his pocket is because he didn’t just paint a red stripe on a blue background…but he saw potential in what he had done.  He saw art…he saw creativity…he saw an opportunity {whatever it may be} and then he pursued it.  Regardless of whether or not we share his opinion on what constitutes talent or art…Newman continued on where most of us back down.  And I think there is something huge to be said for that.

Believe me, by no means am I trying to compare my body of work to that of any other…but the point I am trying to make {and the advice that I am offering to all those that asked} is there are many, many, many incredible photographers out there.  Not only that, but, there are many, many, many photographers out there who could rock this industry like nobody’s business!  But the reason, however, that I am here and they are not, is simply because I didn’t stop after putting down the camera.  That’s it!  I followed through when perhaps someone else didn’t.

The bottom line when starting your own business is just that…it’s a business!  The wool socks are merely the first step…from there, the rest is hanging on the follow through.  You have to be willing to separate yourself from your craft enough to be able to see it as marketable…to sell it!  You have to create the website, make the logo, sign up for the craft show, approach the art agent, start the facebook page…not just stop at the beautiful images and hope that the rest will take care of itself.  There is nothing easy about starting from scratch and building something out of nothing.  And that’s likely the reason most people back down and don’t do it.  But business is also creation…just another aspect of it.  If you hold on to that vision…the rest will fall into place.  And it’s not to say that it’s guaranteed to be successful {nothing is a guarantee in life}, but at the very least, you’re giving it a fighting chance above and beyond what most others are.

So, long story short {I bet by this point you’re regretting having asked!!!}…see the potential in what you are doing.  Extend the process beyond what your are creating.  Do what most others aren’t; follow through…

Hey…it paid off nicely for Newman!