Be Miserable: Not Just for Artists (via Keri Smith)
I found this great Keri Smith survival tool via Elissa Elliott, one of the members of Ronna Detrick’s Conversational Space (a women’s discussion group centered around Faith, Feminism and Truth-please do check it out!).
I’ve loved Keri Smith for a long time. She is 100% authentic, pragmatic, private and creative and the author of many non-traditional inspirational books about creativity and living as an artist. Highly recommended.
One of her survival tools is this “card” which it seemed to me was brilliant as a way (not) to live. Adapted with respect:
HOW TO FEEL MISERABLE AS AN ARTIST A HUMAN BEING:
1. Constantly compare yourself to other artists people.
2. Talk to your family about what you do and expect them to cheer you on.
3. Base the success of your entire career life on one project event, year, relationship.
4. Stick with what you know.
5. Undervalue your expertise inherent worth.
6. Let money dictate what you do.
7. Bow to societal pressures.
8. Only do work that your family would love.
9. Do whatever the client/customer/gallery owner/patron/investor asks. (I’d add: your mother-in-law, significant other, co-workers, boss, friends, other flawed humans)
10. Set unachievable/overwhelming goals. To be completed tomorrow.
3 Responses to “Be Miserable: Not Just for Artists (via Keri Smith)”
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I came to you via the Productive Flourishing article. Your comments were spectacular; certainly my favorite of the bunch. Objective and smart – I had to take a closer look.
This article in particular piqued my curiosity. Given I’ve just launched myself (oh, the irony), I’ve been paying very close attention to how the waters are rippling; how I’m being received by the people I WANT to work with; how I’m being received by designers in my own very particular niche. My findings are fascinating.
I’m years beyond #1 but recently had a struggle with point #2 and #8. Hell, none of my ‘IRL’ friends or family members even know what Twitter IS for crying out loud so how could they understand a business that operates (mainly) digitally?
I loved this. It’s validating to find someone who articulates a fleeting thought AND a deeply-affecting experience. Thanks.
Thanks for being here Erica. I LOVE your site (as you might note on my Twitter blurb, I am a “design whore”, among other whore-ish things).
Yes, the rowdy, thought-provoking comments on PF have my mind swirling and my dander up. It feels good to not be alone. I’d imagine I’ll pull out a post on the subject some time.
I do hope you will spend some significant time with Keri Smith, her books, her site. Her site especially. She is an interesting example of how to “launch” to a tribe while maintaining real privacy and not being pushy.
You are on my “friends” list on Twitter so I’m sure we’ll talk there!
That means a lot given your love of the design world, so thank you.
Keri’s site looks juicy… I’m always looking to learn from those who are doing it “right” and I seem to find those people through the oddest of channels.
Like comment threads.