The Moon and the Virgin

I've been spending the past month immersing myself in what I'll simply describe as being an ongoing, life long journey of spiritual creativity that Maureen Murdock speaks of in her book The Heroine's Journey, and learning how to actualize this in my life as an artist. It all very exciting and rather daunting at the same time. But I have never felt more proactively engaged in, and connected to, the creative process.

In practical terms, it translates into knowing and connecting the dots with these four things that Ann Rea from Artists Who Thrive has taught me.

• Why -  Knowing who I am and what at I stand for, and what I stand against and Why, my Purpose.
• What - Knowing my Why determines my What, my Mission, the one problem that I believe is really worth solving.
• How  -  Knowing How I can help to solve that problem, through a particular process of creating value above and beyond my art.
• Who - Knowing Who has the problem worth solving.

As mentioned I am re-reading The Heroine's Journey written by family therapist, educational consultant, and writer Maureen Murdock.
Below is a poignant quote out of the book by Nor Hall.


"There is a void felt these days by women and men-who suspect that their feminine nature, like Persephone, has gone to hell. Wherever there is such a void, such a gap or wound agape, healing must be sought in the blood of the wound itself. It is another of the old alchemical truths that "no solution should be made except in its own blood." So the female void cannot be cured by conjunction, by an integration of its own parts, by a remembering or a putting back together of the mother-daughter body."
                           - Nor Hall, The Moon and the Virgin: Reflections on the Archetypal Feminine


I posted my review of The Heroine's Journey on Good Reads. It was interesting to read the other reviews. This is what I wrote.

My second reading of this book, but this time intentionally studied, with much note taking. One of the most important books for any one to read, in particular, women who wish to understand what the heroine's journey is, and to learn how to heal the mother/daughter split and the feminine wound in order to "revive a spirituality of creativity."

Because this book was written in 1990, sixteen years ago, it is seen by some to be irrelevant, in a 'post feminist' society. Having lived through the second wave of feminism  myself, and historically aware of the first wave, I must disagree with that. This book is actually as relevant today, if not more so, in many ways.


It would be easy to make the assumption that circumstances have moved progressively forward for women, but my observations tell me otherwise. There still exists numerous discrepancy's between men and women, discrimination based on gender, sexuality, race, religion, poverty, and great income and socioeconomic disparity throughout the world. This reality check seriously makes me wonder why we haven't come further ahead.

Maureen Murdock states that our society is androcentric, which means seeing the world from a male perspective. I believe this to be very true, it explains a lot and still very prevalent today. You don't have to look far to see the evidence.

What Nor Hall says is true. Many of us do suspect we are like Persephone, and have gone to hell.

Art Contests Who Needs Them?

If I don't like art contests does that make me a spoiled sport, a chicken, a coward or plainly a wimp? Short answer no. Competition is just one part of the 'cultural iceberg'.

I've never been the competitive type, though in the very distant past I have entered contests, mainly for singing, not visual art. Generally these contests left me feeling really crappy and I know I'd never enter another. I'm not saying all competition is or needs to be a negative experience, but when it comes to creativity and art it just isn't healthy or good for an artist's confidence or self-esteem. Contests are win/loose scenarios. The artist looses and as Ann Rea states, the organizers win.

Today I found an email from Artists Who Thrive -Ann Rea, who talks about this very thing and succinctly expresses her ideas and thoughts about what happens when artists enter art contests and why they are a waste of time.  Here is what she has to say.

" Entering art contests is a waste of damn time. The only ones who win are the organizers.
Too many artists are wasting their precious time, money, and energy by entering art contests for a blue ribbon or an unlikely cash prize award, when what they really want is just to sell their art.

Art contest organizers make money by banking on your insecurities and desperate need for validation. If you really believed in the art that you are trying to sell you wouldn’t participate in this nonsense.

I get it. We all want to be loved, seen, and heard but this is not the way.
If what you really want is to sell your art, then steer clear of art contests. Here’s why.

1.) These enterprises charge hefty sums of money and you get little to nothing in return, and yet you pay for that privilege.
So you get blue ribbon. How does that help you sell your art? It doesn’t.
No one cares about your blue ribbon but you.

2.) Art contests use language and positioning to imply a false sense of prestige.
Art collectors are moved to buy your art, and the value you offer above and beyond it, or they’re not.
A list of “awards” isn’t going to change how collectors feel or get them to buy your art.

3.) Art contests harden the scarcity and permission based mindset which is biggest self-limiting obstacle to an artist’s success.

4.) Competing with other artists fuels toxic and petty jealousy.
If you’re going to compete, compete for your collector’s attention and discretionary budget.
I’ve never had a collector who was trying to decide between my art or another artist’s art.
They’re trying to decide if they’ll going to indulge in purchasing the luxury retail product that I’m offering or another non-art luxury retail product or experience.

5.) Who are these self-appointed art judges anyway?
Art critics are often frustrated creatives.
What gives them the authority to pass judgment on your art?
Art is in they eye of the beholder. There is lid for every jar. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. You get the picture?
Unless they’re actually going to buy your art, don’t give them an opportunity to judge it.

6.) Art contests imply that there is only one winner, one success. Look at how you’re defining success.
My definition of success is getting paid for inspiring other people with my art. It’s not beating other artists at game someone made up for their profit and our loss.

7.) You only have so much energy, money, and time left in this life. Instead of spending it on futile activities like art contests, invest it in building your own creative enterprise and learning how to create value above and beyond your art.

• Have you entered art contests?
• How much have you spent on entry fees?
• How much have you spent on supplies, photography, and or shipping?
• How much time have you spent? "

This great post I found today on Swarez really sums up my feelings about why art competitions are a waste of time..

Lessons Learned - Now I Have a Choice

Ann Rea - Artists Who Thrive

After many years with all my art education, I was forever attempting to navigate my way through the art world, figuring out what I could and couldn't accept. I found relatively few answers to my questions, in spite of how much formal art education I got. If I didn't want to pursue an art career, I didn't think I had any other choice or option. But I know now, I do have a choice!


 Sadly Universities provide next to no information for artists to survive within the art establishment, and I believe more importantly, how to thrive or support themselves through there art work. It was my opinion you might survive if you were a man, or if you were willing to do a lot of ass kissing. Neither was an option I wanted.

Ann Rea has been the one person I found affirmed my way of thinking, and provided practical suggestions to apply to making and selling art. I can not say enough about her, and the work she does to re-educate artists who simply want to support themselves creating art work that they love to make and that has value  over and above the art they make. Finding this out was a confirming enlightening moment for me as an artist.

This recent video she posted on her site, Artists Who Thrive, about Canadian artist Linzy Arnott, I couldn't find a more compelling reason to opt out of the 'art establishment' and become a fully immersed in the the 'new creative class' that Ann Rea advocates.

Here Come The Judge!

Sammy Davis Jr.

I think it's so important for artists to have a good sense of humour, because we can tend to take ourselves far too serious, especially when it comes to competion and being judged. Creatives are sensitive, possessing  delicate and sometimes fragile egos.

I've never been comfortable with competition of any kind, and I don't take it too seriously. I suppose some might say, well if you don't take competition seriously, maybe it's because you fear rejection. That may be true, but is any one fond rejection? I don't think so.

Especially artists competing creatively is frankly high up on the ick factor for me, and I think it always will be.
I realize there are some folks that thrive on this kind of stuff, and well I say each to his/her own, live and let live. I just know it's not for me. I also know there probably isn't anything I can do or say that will change the competitive art establishment. But that won't stop me from voicing my opinion about it.

For instance, there is nothing terribly wrong about entering, say exhibits where juries decide whether or not to accept your art work as part of an exhibition. I think it is good exposure and gives you an opportunity to network with others involved with art.  But it ends there for me, full stop.

I've always had disdain for the idea of artists competing. I've come to the conclusion I don't need that stamp of approval, asking someone's permission and even paying others for me to enter an art competition. It's bull crap in my opinion. And now I'll tell you how I really feel.

I believe Ann Rea who started Artists Who Thrive has the right idea. You can be part of the art establishment or the new creative class. You can choose to have an 'art career' or an art business.

A long time ago I opted out of the idea of having a art career, and opted in to having an art business. If my art sells then in my opinion this makes my work and my ability to create art work 'good enough'.

Are You Perpetuating Destructive Falsehoods About Artists?

I've been out of commission since Friday, not even wanting to write any blog posts, so that's why you haven't seen any recent posts. I've been feeling a little bit out of sync, which is how I always feel if I don't do my regular amount of writing.

What I really wanted to be doing was to be digging into the good earth, planting peas and parsnips, transplanting my Winter squash and my cukes. Gardening puts me in direct contact with myself and my creativity and it's so good for me, mind, soul and body. But on Friday my body had other plans after I came down with the second cold in a few months, that frankly has knocked the bejesus out of me energy wise.

So I'm trying very hard to take good care of myself and have been doing as little as possible in my fashionable house coat and slippers. And so I am as contented as I can be with vertigo, a smidgen of nausea, a lot of post nasal drip and along with the usual accompanying aches and chills.

Although I didn't have much appetite, I've managed to get some good sustenance down my gullet, and even had a lay down.

Regardless if you have any one close by to take of you or not, you've got to do your best to take care of yourself.
Living alone when your sick sucks, mostly because you haven' t any one to comfort you. But fortunately I have learned how to take care and comfort myself.

It's a falsehood that artists don't take care of themselves, or they're self-destructive. And if we don't take care of ourselves, the fact is that, it is no less, or no more than other people, and has nothing to do with being an artist.

 I love to tell stories through the subject matter of my art, from myths that speak of eternal truths. I am not interested in falsehoods, and there is a difference.

I don't know who comes up with all these falsehoods, but it isn't artists!

Oh there are lots of other falsehoods, that I've listed below.

1. Making art isn't real work and it's easy.

Many people think artists shouldn't worry their pretty little heads about money, and think because you are really doing this as a hobby and just for fun,  it's not really a job. This falsehood devalues art and especially devalues artists, and perpetuates the falsehood.
The misconceptions surrounding making money and making art perpetuates the falsehood that these two are seemingly viewed as not being economically feasible and are somehow diametrically opposed one another.
Artists simply want to make art that they can be proud of and to make a comfortable living.

 2. Artists aren't smart, they can't do much of anything else, so they make art.

This is so untrue and insulting. Creativity is an absolute essential to education and learning. The countless creative thinkers like Albert Einstein and numerous others prove this to be true, throughout history, and within our contemporary world. Creativity is not only for the artist it is present in everyone and it's a fact that the arts can significantly improve academic learning in every field of study and profession, and it is good for the intellect.



3. Artists are starving and poor, because we can't ever expect to make a real living at making art.

This falsehood is so destructive and defeatist. If you are of this opinion, it is not only extremely untrue, it can be so destructive and self-defeating  that it can be a self-fulfilling prophecy we tell ourselves that leaves us no where, but dead in the water.


4. Artist's suffer for their art like martyrs.

 I don't have much to say about this falsehood other than, no we don't, and that would be masochistic. Artists are not masochists.

5. Artists are alcoholics, addicts, self-destructive and mentally ill.

Artists are no different than anyone. The majority of people in the world have some kind of dysfunction. Those individuals who purport not to be dysfunctional in one way or another, including addiction or mental illness, depression etc., are in denial.

6. Artists are slobs, disorganized and unreliable.

No. this is another untruth, and falsehood. Slobs, people who are disorganized and unreliable exist in every class, culture and profession.

7. Artists have a certain look. They look like artists and are eccentric.

Well maybe they do, maybe they don't. Maybe they are, maybe they're not. Who cares? I ask why is this important? Accepting one another as we are is what's important. Diversity is a very good thing. Out of diversity comes creativity and innovation.

8. Artists have mental illness.

See falsehood number 5.

I'm sure there are lots of other falsehoods and untruths. Feel free to add and share any that you might have yourself or what you've heard. We've all heard them, at one time or another. I want to challenge and dispel these falsehoods that are founded on anything but the truth. Falsehoods are not necessarily lies, but untruths based on misunderstanding and ignorance.

Why Ann Rea Inspires Me

Opening - Ann Rea ,Water Colour

I don't exactly remember when I found out about the Artist Ann Rea and Artists Who Thrive, but I know I was doing a specific kind of artist search. I wanted and needed to find out more about art and business. I had reached the point as an artist that I wasn't settling for mere survival, I wanted to thrive. And so when I found Artist Who Thrive I figured I'd found the right place when I saw that word THRIVE. I was right, and the bottom line, like Ann I wanted and needed to find out how to make money as an artist, creating the art I love and to make a comfortable living.

Ann is clarifying for me the lessons of art and business easier to learn and she provides tangible, practical, information, explaining in plain language what it is I need and want to know to create an art business. They don't teach this stuff in art school.

 She's such an authentic human being who has such a big heart with a big heapin' helpin' of integrity. Her life experiences reflect exactly the kind of admirable, courageous individual she is. I certainly relate so much to her, what she has been through, and the great depth of her personality.

When you listen to this interview, she gave some 17 months ago on NPR with Alex Blumberg from This American Life I think you'll understand what I am talking about.

Eminem M&M's or MM?

There's Eminem, M&M's and then there is MM. ( Making Art Making Money). The latter, this is the one I want to talk about.

 The business of art requires having an online presence as an artist. It is a good thing and essential. It gives you great opportunity to network, to get your work and your name out there into cyberspace exposure, and to hopefully make some serious scratch.

 Ok I confess I haven't been one to sell my work on line, with the exception of one occasion. I met up with the client, and it all worked out very amicably. If it works, great, but it's not for everyone. There are advantages and disadvantages. It light of all that, it's still important to have an online presence.

I am a person who'd rather interact face to face and often many who purchase my work are actually friends, which is really very satisfying. I still have lots of room for improving my business skills and there is loads of information on the web to learn how to do this and I love that.

I shy away from physically commercial gallery settings. I find them somewhat elitist, and I'd much rather avoid the middle person who can often be the one who financially benefits or decides what they will or won't accept when it comes to exhibiting your work, and I don't like that.

The internet can level the playing field, and generally is the great equalizer. It can remove the intimidation and competitive factor. As well, you don't have to have a lot of money in order to get exposure. The online art community I have found to be welcoming, supportive and so informative, which is extremely beneficial and encouraging.

As an artist I love it when I can share what has helped me and when others return the same. To me that's what makes the world go round, helping each other. And so I want to share with you today a great link, 25 resources for artists that I think you will find helpful to your business of being an artist, if you are so inclined.

Artist/Entrepreneur Ann Rea, whom I LOVE,  has recently, and very generously offered some wonderful videos from her site Artists Who Thrive entitled MM ( Making Art Making Money). These are fantastico! I made that word up. :)