A Chair with Your Name On It

Perspectives from The Artist's Road

Painting in Abiqui, NM

From Mary Pettis: “No matter where you are on this journey, there will always be artists who are better and artists who are worse than you are. Comparing yourself unfavorably with others is not only a downer—it is a distraction that robs you of your clarity. Why allow a beautiful painting to make you sad or insecure? Try to replace judgment and discouragement with inspiration. Be happy for those better artists who show the way. We are all one big family. In spite of this competitive current culture, do not have beating others as your goal. They are not taking your spot at the table. There is room for you, and . . . a chair with your name on it.”

We, too, have been guilty of finding ourselves in funks after rejection from exhibitions, galleries or competitions. A simple search on-line may show us paintings that should inspire us, but, without the proper perspective, can deflate us as we let our minds make comparisons and …