Entombment
Tour guide explaining works by Rubens in Getty Center, LA
G. Boersma
acrylics on masonite
35.6" x 27.6" or 90,3 x 70cm
2009
SOLD
I Work For Myself, Solely!
I always laugh when I hear an artist proclaiming that he only works for himself and his own enjoyment. No, you don’t.
If you would solely work for yourself, you would keep your works to yourself too. There would be no need to show it to others as well, because you already reached your full audience: You.
But of course if you're like any other artist you're quick to show it to other people as well whenever you have a change. That is, if you feel confident enough about it in the first place.
But when you do, you immediately work for those people too. Even if they don’t purchase your work or respond to it in a negative way.
You do, because art is a medium, a way to communicate with others. One of the oldest we have I might add. And just like any other medium it starts serving its purpose as soon as the message is being received by an audience.
There’s of course nothing wrong with that. As a matter of fact that’s how it’s supposed to be: an artist should show his works to as many people as he possibly can. That’s how art receives its true value and meaning.
Of course this can be very frightening or exciting, because you don't control how your art is being received by an audience. As an artist you just hope people are touched, moved or inspired by your work. Or at least feel some type of connection to it. That would be great.
Yes, you should enjoy what you’re making and you should make the best paintings you possibly can. But you don’t work solely for yourself if you show it to other people too. It’s called sharing. And you should enjoy this too.
kind regards, Gerard
