ADVICE TO ARTISTS
1. Be prepared to fail.
- Most people do: most novels don't get published; most bands
don't get major label contracts; most paintings don't even sell.
2. Do what you love. Love what you do.
- That way your work will be something you're proud of.
And, if you do fail, then it would still have been worthwhile.
3. So be prepared to redefine what you mean by "success".
- Because a lot of people say to me "I used to be in a band,
but we broke up." or "I used to send pieces out, but they
never got published." and so they just don't try anymore.
We all start out wanting to be the next Rimbaud, Dante, Picasso,
Dylan, Plath, etc. And we should be aiming for the stars. But,
as we explore the limits of our craft and talent, it usually becomes
apparent that we won't reach them. However we can still, most of
us, learn how to tell a good story, or craft some original verse or
move someone with a song. Tell me, what's wrong with that?
4. Connections. Connections. Connections. Connections.
- With the proviso that, once your connection opens a door for you,
you have be able to deliver.. Otherwise, they're not going to come
through for you again.
And, you know, this is all pretty good advice for life in general.
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