Things Artists do That Annoy Me: Begging OR the Guilt Game-- Followed by Anger
One of the most annoying aspects of being a humble art writer is that one is often faced with artists who can’t take a kindly “No” for what it is worth. Artists who beg for coverage-- even more so if they turn their petty begging into a Guilt Game against me-- happens to be one of the unfortunate obstacles an art writer faces if it is known that he or she has a following. I say obstacle because I don’t really enjoy turning artists away-- but sometimes I must in order to uphold my integrity and the integrity of every artist and art professional who has offered their time to me.
If I was all-inclusive my writing-- specifically the interviews-- would have never been as successful as they have been. Needless to say, I’ve upset my fair share of hopeful artists during my years writing for Myartspace.com and other art related companies and magazines. Sometimes those artists get trapped by their anger. Thus, I felt it important to discuss this aspect of my experience so that hopefully more artists will think before reacting.
Showing posts with label Things artists do that annoy me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Things artists do that annoy me. Show all posts
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Things Artists do That Annoy Me: The Sex Game
Things Artists do That Annoy Me: The Sex Game
I’ve decided to post about another annoyance I sometimes face with artists-- that being what I like to call the Sex Game. The Sex Game tends to be played by artists who are desperate for exposure-- so desperate that they will throw sexual advances towards a humble art writer such as myself. The Sex Game takes different forms-- but the intentions are always the same.
The idea behind the Sex Game is simple enough, ‘If I offer him this, that, or THIS he will write about my art.’. WRONG. I won’t-- in fact, petty sexual advances have turned me away from writing about some very talented artists in the past. Said advances reek of insecurity and general low self-esteem-- which does not make a good impression as far as I’m concerned. Get a tougher skin or at least use protection if that is how you are going to promote your art!
I’ve decided to post about another annoyance I sometimes face with artists-- that being what I like to call the Sex Game. The Sex Game tends to be played by artists who are desperate for exposure-- so desperate that they will throw sexual advances towards a humble art writer such as myself. The Sex Game takes different forms-- but the intentions are always the same.
The idea behind the Sex Game is simple enough, ‘If I offer him this, that, or THIS he will write about my art.’. WRONG. I won’t-- in fact, petty sexual advances have turned me away from writing about some very talented artists in the past. Said advances reek of insecurity and general low self-esteem-- which does not make a good impression as far as I’m concerned. Get a tougher skin or at least use protection if that is how you are going to promote your art!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Things Artists do That Annoy Me: What’s in a Name?
Things Artists do That Annoy Me: What’s in a Name?
Having been an art writer for half a decade I must say that I’ve seen a lot as far observing how visual artists promote themselves. Sometimes the choices that artists make in striving for exposure are downright annoying. I’m not talking about blinged out websites or ‘rate my art’ bombardments-- no, I’m referring to things far more sinister. Specifically, ways that artists present themselves in order to stroke their own ego-- or to lure novice art collectors into buying their artwork due to reasons that at heart are very trivial.
The main issue I would like to tackle with this writing is the fact that some artists use the fame of their relatives in order to try and secure their own mark in the art world. For example, I know of one artist who is quick to state on her bio that she is directly related to Georgia O’Keeffe. While it is perfectly acceptable to be proud of ones heritage I don’t think it is admirable to family namedrop simply to promote ones own artwork-- which is obviously what this artist is doing. After all, it is one of the first things she mentions when writing about herself or her art. Not to mention that she spelled Georgia’s name wrong!
Having been an art writer for half a decade I must say that I’ve seen a lot as far observing how visual artists promote themselves. Sometimes the choices that artists make in striving for exposure are downright annoying. I’m not talking about blinged out websites or ‘rate my art’ bombardments-- no, I’m referring to things far more sinister. Specifically, ways that artists present themselves in order to stroke their own ego-- or to lure novice art collectors into buying their artwork due to reasons that at heart are very trivial.
The main issue I would like to tackle with this writing is the fact that some artists use the fame of their relatives in order to try and secure their own mark in the art world. For example, I know of one artist who is quick to state on her bio that she is directly related to Georgia O’Keeffe. While it is perfectly acceptable to be proud of ones heritage I don’t think it is admirable to family namedrop simply to promote ones own artwork-- which is obviously what this artist is doing. After all, it is one of the first things she mentions when writing about herself or her art. Not to mention that she spelled Georgia’s name wrong!
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