Comments on: Opportunity Cost

By: caterina giglio

caterina giglio — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:26:06 +0000

what a relevant post! I was just commenting about this very issue with another artist online this am. though people do like to pigeon hole artists, i think it is our nature to want to explore, grow and change. evolution is normal. just create what you want and the collectors will follow… nice blog!

By: Robert Jones

Robert Jones — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:43:50 +0000

That poses a good question, since exhibiting artists have to show up at their own openings. Of course, you could always spoof everyone by sending out some performance artist to be your “other you” at these exhibits.

On the other hand, you can always pitch both your artistic selves as “Deidre Adams,” but exhibit in different artistic circles. Start a new career purely as a painter, sculptor, whatever, and don’t include your textile mixed media stuff in your resume, and vice versa. One day, when you strike it big, you can merge your bifurcated self! :)

By: Deidre

Deidre — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:20:51 +0000

Hi, Carol. Thanks for the encouragement! But I do want to make one clarification: It’s not the school program (by the way, I’m in a BFA program, not MFA) that’s doing the compartmentalization. On the contrary, we are highly encouraged to explore and stretch. I meant to say that it is the gallery system and the art world that do this. When an artist becomes known for doing a particular thing, and galleries know they can sell it successfully, they don’t want any disruptions in the flow.

Robert, I love this idea. I’ve always wanted to create another personality for myself, one where I can make up who I am, maybe be exciting and flamboyant, instead of shy and mousy. But what do I do if I have to go to an opening and somebody recognizes me, and in a terribly deflating encounter, says “Oh, it’s only you!”

By: Robert Jones

Robert Jones — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:41:09 +0000

Hi Deidre:

While it is true the art world tends to compartmentalize its denizens, your talents are too far ranging to be stuck in one genre for long.

I think Evan Hunter had the solution for this problem: As a writer, he went by his own name for such 1960s novels and movies as “tranger When We Meet,” “The Young Savages,” and “The Birds.”

Yet, there lurked within him a hard-boiled crime novelist. Since he struck a different tone in those books, he went by the pseudonym of Ed McBain for that series of novels.

This is not far different from what Stephen King did in the 1970s, writing pulp novels under the name of Richard Bachman.

Your name is your “brand.” No reason in the world you can’t have more than one brand to diversify your artistic production.

By: Carol

Carol — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:37:46 +0000

Last year, the “New Museum” in NYC featured 15 (or so) emerging artists. What I found so refreshing is that all of them worked in multiple mediums. No matter how “MFA” programs try to put you into a box — resist! Just think of how our methods of communication with the world has changed over the last 10 years. Artists who want their thoughts and feelings to reach a broad range of people must also change as the “market” changes.

I am still in awe that you are close to accomplishing your degree. Lots of hard work and putting yourself on the line is never easy. Go girl!

By: Deidre

Deidre — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:11:21 +0000

Rebecca, that’s a good idea. I do continually tell myself to “focus,” oftentimes even out loud (picture crazy old lady muttering to herself), but I lack the mind control of even a common squirrel. I blame the Internet.

Lee, that’s a good question – how can I not? In the program I’m in, it’s very important to be able to explain the concept of what you’re doing. I wanted to stretch myself and not just keep doing the things I’ve been doing for years, so I came up with a concept and tried some new things with a lot of handwork in them. These turned out to be too time-intensive to finish up by the deadlines imposed, though. So I turned to paintings, which I enjoyed with equal enthusiasm. I’m still thinking about what I will do for my thesis. Tick, tock.

By: lee

lee — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:42:09 +0000

Until your last paragraph, I assumed your thesis work would contain fabric work! It is such a part of what you do so well, and seems to consolidate a lot of the techniques you like – how can you not?

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:50:41 +0000

Excellent post. I try to offset “opportunity cost” temptations by reminding myself to focus. I use the word “clarity.” I’ve found, though, that you gotta forgive yourself when you get sidetracked. :)