Dreams of stardom are alive and well and living in pretty well all of us. I am no exception. We all want to be seen - to be recognized for our looks, our talents and gifts. Even though I was a shy child, I still would dream of being an actress - I got as far as being an extra in a couple of Winnipeg movies and starring in some Christmas plays at church. Some dream of being singers - I was always in choirs and small singing groups at church, and in a worship band that toured Southern Manitoba coffeehouses and churches "way back when."
Now I have a dream of being a famous artist with a loft studio (sigh), not necessarily in New York, but a loft studio in the exchange district of Winnipeg would be pretty cool. I dream of retiring from working full time, and living off of the income of my sought-after painting skills.
One's parents or elders usually have more life experience than we do, and they will often volunteer their advice when we don't want to hear it. "Don't play with that stick, or you'll poke out your eye!" "Don't hit your sister, or you'll end up the one who gets hurt!", or "Don't drive so fast - you'll have an accident!" In many cases, the younger person believes they already know it all, and will not heed the proffered advice until the day they either poke out their eye or wrap the family car around a tree.
Whether one is a writer, a poet, a songwriter, a singer or a visual artist, one imagines that his or her own art is the best and most original that has ever been created. For example, in my work at Signpost Music, I often get phone calls, unsolicited CD deliveries or drop-by visitors with scads of CDs in a plastic bag, thinking that "if only" Steve Bell will listen to my song, or if I can get my music recorded on a CD or if I can only do the "opener" at one of Steve's concerts, my musical genius will be recognized and I'll become famous. Sometimes it's just a fellow artist who would like Steve or someone to listen to their art and give some advice or encouragement.
Since Steve and his manager Dave don't have much time to do this, wherever possible, I take the proffered CDs and dutifully listen to them on my own time, not wanting to squash anyone's dream. I will send an email of encouragement, but also advise about the decline in the recording industry - that they should keep up the inspired work, but also not give up on the day job. I say this because no matter how talented, good looking and inspired you are, there are hundreds of others with the same amount of talent and aspirations. The arts industry is inundated with talent that is begging to be recognized, and only a spoonful ever make it to the top. In this industry, if you are able to make a living at your craft, you are considered blessed, especially if you are a Christian in the business. (That's another blog topic or ten.)
My employer, singer/songwriter Steve Bell is one of the "blessed" who has for over 20 years been able to eke out a living writing inspiring music and poetic lyrics (many from Scripture). But spiffy website and nice office aside, the man lives frugally and in a very modest home. Almost half of his income is provided by government grants and donations by the many whose lives are encouraged and changed by the words and music that he writes and records. The times are a'changin'. Compact discs are on the way out - digital and internet is in. Ticket sales are dropping for many arts events. The future in the business is uncertain.
The same holds true for businesses dealing in books, magazines and the luxury of selling real art. I have been discovering this first hand as I have entered the role of salesperson for my paintings. Will all art eventually be flashing on a large wall-size computer screen in one's home?
Why am I writing this? One reason is to encourage everyone to realize that just because someone is able to create great art or music, doesn't mean that it should be assumed that that person is doing well financially in this field. The second reason is to encourage people who have gifts, to use their talents to create, no matter what - just make sure you don't lose your livelihood to do it! Creating visual art and written or sung words are what make us human, supply enrichment, beauty and a sense of well being.
Personally, I am finding that making art works well as a sideline. For one, it keeps me making inspired art, instead of needing to produce to make a living. If I am on the computer and phone all week, hawking CDs for a living, it is my pleasure to spend weekends creating something that gives me joy and emotional release. The cream (Biebers and Rockwells) occasionally rises to the top, so be sure to create and keep your dreams alive, but well grounded in reality.
Sunday 27 November 2011
Saturday 26 November 2011
Starting a Blog
When I began my new art website The Art of Faye Hall, my webdesigner, Jeff Lukin, assured me that I should have a blog, and that one day I would have something to say. I couldn't imagine what that would be. I was a newbie as a professional painter, and did not know what God had in store for me.
As time went on, I discovered that God was beginning to use my art to encourage others, and I could write about it on my main website. But much of what I learned was far too personal to put on a public website that is meant to look professional and further my painting career. I feel that He is telling me to put my personal thoughts down in a blog. I called my blog "Faye's Feedback", because I was looking for a term that would emphasize that I am a constant learner, who is willing to regurgitate what I've learned and discovered through life experiences and reading.
One of my greatest learning sources is my job as administrative assistant/concert producer in the office of Signpost Music, which is the indie record label for Christian singer/songwriter Steve Bell, here in Winnipeg. I have now been there almost five years, and boy, have my eyes been opened to the struggle of a Christian artist in the music industry. There's a lot to write about on that topic alone.
Since I've jump-started my own painting career as a sideline, my eyelids have been stretched further (I laugh as I visualize this), there is even more to write about.
Sooo....for now it suffices to say that I am going to be talking mainly about my growth as a believer, from a perspective of a person working daily in the music and visual art industry. Some of this journey is already chronicled in my blogs on my website at http://www.fayehall.com/.
As time went on, I discovered that God was beginning to use my art to encourage others, and I could write about it on my main website. But much of what I learned was far too personal to put on a public website that is meant to look professional and further my painting career. I feel that He is telling me to put my personal thoughts down in a blog. I called my blog "Faye's Feedback", because I was looking for a term that would emphasize that I am a constant learner, who is willing to regurgitate what I've learned and discovered through life experiences and reading.
One of my greatest learning sources is my job as administrative assistant/concert producer in the office of Signpost Music, which is the indie record label for Christian singer/songwriter Steve Bell, here in Winnipeg. I have now been there almost five years, and boy, have my eyes been opened to the struggle of a Christian artist in the music industry. There's a lot to write about on that topic alone.
Since I've jump-started my own painting career as a sideline, my eyelids have been stretched further (I laugh as I visualize this), there is even more to write about.
Sooo....for now it suffices to say that I am going to be talking mainly about my growth as a believer, from a perspective of a person working daily in the music and visual art industry. Some of this journey is already chronicled in my blogs on my website at http://www.fayehall.com/.
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