None of Your Business

"What other people think of you is none of your business".  I like that quote.  It is true.  We can wear ourselves out worrying about other people's perception of us.  We can even forget who we are by trying to conform to what we think are other people's expectations.  No one want to be the beautiful bird that has decided he's ugly because of other peoples comments. That is just too much work!

I was visiting with a good friend of mine and since I turned another year older this month the discussion of age came up.  He said that when he turned 50 it was great since he realized that he really didn't care what other people thought anymore.  He was happy with who he was.  I can relate to that.

But here's the rub. When you paint pictures for a living you need to care about what other people think about your art.....right?  NO, I should just paint what wants to be painted.  BUT I need to paint what people want to buy.  Not ever one will 'get' your random creative moment.  TRUE, but good art is art you feel.  You see this giant circle that traps me.

Of course my two favorite subjects are Greve and Celli and animals.  Not everyone wants a gorilla in their living room.  And not everyone wants a whimsical, playful bicycle scene.  I have a gallery that is a wonderful supporter but tells me, "no mammals".  Some customers are only interested in my fine art pieces and others only look at Signore Greve.  I almost need a flow chart!

Don't see this as complaining. I really do have the best job in the world.  I have so many wonderful customers that say kind things and buy my work as gifts and to hang on their walls. But some days I stand at my easel with all this swimming in my head,  "The beluga, elephants and seal haven't sold yet.  Should I paint another animal?  I just did an entire book worth of new paintings of Greve, I need a break but......."

I try hard to be a good person.  I treat others like I want to be treated. And I try not to worry about what others are thinking when I walk away. So could I adapt the quote to "What other people think of your ART is none of your business"?