Comments on At last...making art full-time: Rudeness Never Pays, or A Fresh Start in My New St...

How about Barbara Cowlin? Oh and wasn't Georgi...

2009-06-11T14:36:27.287-07:00

How about Barbara Cowlin? Oh and wasn't Georgia O'Keefe a neighbor? ;)

I love Louise Bourgeois. I wasn't familiar wit...

2009-06-11T12:22:44.031-07:00

I love Louise Bourgeois. I wasn't familiar with Mary Heileman, but just checked her out at the New Museum's website. I'll google her, too, to find out more about her. Beautiful work.

Now we need to find older female artists living in obscure places who made it!

2 women artists I think about with regards to ramp...

2009-06-11T09:57:04.685-07:00

2 women artists I think about with regards to ramping up late - Mary Heileman http://www.newmuseum.org/exhibitions/401 and Louise Bourgeois http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louise_Bourgeois

Thanks to Liz and Mary Anne for your comments. It&...

2009-06-11T09:07:37.520-07:00

Thanks to Liz and Mary Anne for your comments. It's great to make friends via the DeKooning book club. Isn't Alyson Stanfield great?

Yes, I'm really lucky to have this studio! It's been a lifelong dream and I can't begin to say how much I'm appreciating it.

I don't think many people (except other woman artists) appreciate how hard it is to juggle family, jobs, and justify taking the time and resources for doing art. Now that I'm 58, my boys are grown, and I'm going full speed on my art career. Just hope it's not too late.

Delighted to meet you via the Dekooning Twitter bo...

2009-06-11T08:25:14.512-07:00

Delighted to meet you via the Dekooning Twitter book group. Love your thoughts and concerns about, well, just about everything I have read so far, albeit briefly. I have been at it for 30+ years, mostly ceramics but painting as a dirty little secret I pretty much keep to myself. I have a 14 year old son, work hard to be a good mother, respectful wife (hehe) and a contributing member of my community. Oh, then there is that thing which I can't ever let slide to #2- my art. sooooooo, look forward to connecting now and again. Cheers! ps- I don't think you were rude to your sister's friend, IMHO. But, I admire your willingness to be more civil. I relate. :)

Hi Barbara, I am happy to have met you through the...

2009-06-10T17:23:55.640-07:00

Hi Barbara,
I am happy to have met you through the DeKooning Book Club....I enjoy reading what you have to say in your blog. I recently had to remind myself to NOT talk reality/shop at a garden reception. Hard to find the right words sometimes that are both real and not shocking. I, too, think you were not that out of line, but that internal "uh oh" is a pretty good guide, so I am all for you honoring it.
I envy your wonderful studio, too.

Lee Ann, Thanks for your input. Yes, it did make m...

2009-06-10T08:43:46.563-07:00

Lee Ann, Thanks for your input. Yes, it did make me feel better. But I think I need to work on a good reply that will be honest but will further understanding of what it's like to be self employed and to be an artist.I'm just not quick enough on my feet to ad lib. Especially if the comment hits me when I'm in a pessimistic mood!

By the way, I've subscribed to your blog. Can't wait to spend some time looking at it!

Hi Barbara - not that it might make any difference...

2009-06-09T11:30:55.309-07:00

Hi Barbara - not that it might make any difference to you, but I don't think what you said was rude. People do pop off thoughtless comments, and sometimes an abrupt answer like yours is the only way to get them to consider that a situation is much deeper than they realized. It happens not only for us as artists, but I would suppose in every profession. Maybe those of us trying to make a living at it are more sensitive than people collecting a regular paycheck, but anyone self employed has the same sensitivity.

I think your reply was fine and appropriate. Look forward to seeing this painting develop!