Belief is Contagious
‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ Acrylic, walnut ink, alcohol ink and posca marker on Linen 100cm x 80cm x 3.5cm 2021
Looking at my website and reading a little about me you will find that I am highly influenced by primitive art such as Art Brut and Outsider art. You will read that music also plays a major role in my work, I listen to music when I work, mostly the music of David Byrne and at present his American Utopia Show. I was fortunate to see this show live when it was on tour in 2018 at the 3 Arena Dublin and also to see the show at the Hudson Theatre in New York on the 8th of February 2020. EPIC is how I describe it. The man and his cohort of musicians are geniuses. Anyway to cut a long story short Spike Lee has done a movie version of the show so it is now accessible to everybody. Of course I bought it and it is this I listen to when I work.
My interpretation Sketchbook image of David Byrne, Angie Swan & Bobby Wooten - cast from American Utopia 2019
So how is this relevant and what am I on about? In the past few months I have been trying to figure out how do I work this art thing? How do I perceive things? I have been trying to shake off any preconceived notions that were instilled in me through education, ignorance, fear or lack of self confidence. Writing this I laugh to myself thinking how foolish I was to listen to people that didn't give me constructive criticism, or how I allowed myself to get upset by dismissive attitudes or rejections towards me and my work (e.g. sitting in on a zoom meeting with some one who so obviously didn't want to be there but they had no option - part of their job - So Fucking Obvious!!!.) The worse part is it can have a massive negative affect on your confidence and work. Knowing your own self worth is pivotal in this business, the actual realisation that my work is relevant was a huge breakthrough for me. Familiarising myself with other people’s work and visiting exhibitions gives me a much better perspective on the way the art industry works. Seeing what is exhibition worthy art has boosted my confidence 10 fold. Every artist is relevant, every artists work is important no matter what it is. I admire and love the work of some artists but as a very clever artist and mentor said “I do not revere any artist”.
Pay Back Monkey Acrylic on Linen 100cm x 80cm x 3.5cm 2021
So how do you make success happen? Initially you have to make work, know your craft, be able to network and be confident about what you do. For many artists networking is a very difficult exercise to do, most of us hate it but I’m afraid it has to be done. And it seems to be a major part of the criteria for success! It is obvious that snobbery still exists in this crazy business. (I have always maintained you need to be insane or at least not playing with the full deck to even want to be an artist).You have to develop a thick skin to persevere with it, to be stubborn, resilient and you have to learn to play the game. 12 months ago, jays-us what am I saying 3 months ago I wouldn’t open my mouth, I wouldn’t give myself credit for doing what I do and actually how good I am at doing it. Listening to David Byrnes’ American Utopia while I work, attending Lodestar Hybrid Residency and discussing art with a good friend while we travel the length and breadth of the country to see exhibitions has really opened my eyes, given me the insight to know where I’m going, who I want to go with, what tribe I want to belong to and to enjoy the journey I am on. Spending time deliberating and working things out, knowing what kind of artist I am, has given me the confidence to say “My work is fecking brilliant”. Believing in oneself is a must because if you don't believe in yourself and your work how can you expect others to. Believe me belief is contagious.