Don't Compare Yourself to Other Artists
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Don’t Compare Yourself to Other Artists
Comparing yourself to other artists is never a good idea, because everyone is given a special set of gifts and no two sets of gifts are the same. Everyone uses (and should use) their gifts differently, thus everyone has an expression that is uniquely their own.
Let’s start by looking at my favorite art/life quote attributed to the dancer/choreographer Martha Graham:
This is such an amazing quote, and I read it in all my workshops. I read it often just to myself, because it’s very powerful if you understand it and can do it.
It’s so easy in our social-media-filled-lives to compare yourself to your favorite artist on Youtube or Instagram. You may say, “Why can’t I be like them?”, or “Why can’t I sell paintings like them?”, or “Why can’t I paint like them?” The reason, of course, is that you aren’t meant to be like them or paint like them - you are meant to paint like YOU.
Your gifts and your means of expressing yourself through those gifts are unique to you and only you. Instead of comparing yourself to others, your job is to figure out how to use your gifts to take what is in your heart and put it out on a surface so others can enjoy it - THAT’S YOUR JOB.
It is also the hardest thing there is to do. You have to be comfortable with who you are, and what is inside you and you can’t be afraid to show yourself through your art. It requires you to be open and vulnerable. It requires you to get past yourself and show people what is inside you that needs to come out. It’s hard because it’s important.
If you want to be a good artist, whatever “good” means to you, you must find a way to express that unique voice within you. Actually it’s already there waiting for you to turn it loose. Find it and use it so that the rest of us can enjoy it.
If you'd like to learn about abstract painting and making your own authentic work, then please join me for a painting workshop: (You can view a list of workshops HERE)
December 8, 2020 (Zoom) Interactive Mini-Workshop: Painting with David, 3 hours. Click Here for Registration and Information
December 15, 2020 (Zoom) Interactive Mini-Workshop: Simple Color System, 3 hours. Click Here for Registration and Information
January 6, 2021 (Zoom) Interactive Mini-Workshop: Simple Color System, 3 hours. Click Here for Registration and Information
January 13-15, 2021 Murrell's Inlet, SC. Abstracting the Coastal Landscape (NEW) SOLD OUT!
January 20, 2021 (Zoom) Interactive Mini-Workshop: Abstracting the Landscape, 6 hours. Click Here for Registration and Information
January 21, 2021 (Zoom) Interactive Mini-Workshop: Painting with David, 3 hours. Click Here for Registration and Information
February 3-5, 2021 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC Click Here for Information and Registration - Only 3 Seats Left!
February 10, 2021 (Zoom) Interactive Mini-Workshop: Bigger, faster, Fresher, Looser Abstract Painting, 6 hours. Click Here for Registration and Information
February 11-12, 2021 (Zoom) Interactive Mini-Workshop: Bigger, faster, Fresher, Looser Abstract Painting, 12 hours. Click Here for Registration and Information
February 19-21, 2021 Art League of Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach, FL Email Amelie Bush: amelieartist@aol.com
March 12-14, 2021 Arts and Design Society of Fort Walton Beach, FL. Abstracting the Coastal Landscape. Email Hanna Joensuu: hanna222@cox.net.
As always, thanks for your support!
David
NEW! Interactive (Zoom) Mini Workshops
I have just added 6 new Interactive Mini Workshops (on the Zoom platform) to my website. Most are 3 to 6 hours long and are a great opportunity for learning a lot in a short amount of time. You’ll be online and onscreen with me as I instruct, demonstrate, paint, and critique your work.
Bigger, Faster, Fresher, Looser Abstract Painting
1 Day: February 10, 2021 9:00-12:00 and 1:00-4:00 EST (6 hours total)
2 Day: February 11-12, 2021 9:00-12:00 and 1:00-4:00 EST each day (12 total hours)
Abstracting the Landscape
January 20, 2021, 9:00-12:00 and 1:00-4:00
March 31, 2021, 9:00-12:00 and 1:00-4:00
Simple Color System
December 15, 2020, 1:00-4:00 EST (3 hours total)
January 6, 2021, 1:00-4:00 EST (3 hours total)
March 24, 2021, 1:00-4:00 EST (3 hours total)
Click Here for Information and Registration
Painting with David
December 8, 2020, 1:00-4:00 EST (3 hours total)
January 21, 2021, 1:00-4:00 (3 hours total)
March 4, 2021, 1:00-4:00 (3 hours total)
All About Color
March 3, 2021, 9:00-12:00 and 1:00-4:00 (6 hours total)
Simple Color System Color Wheel
If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.
You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.
