Burnt out or grounded by age and experience?

Hi, all,
I'm in this graduate seminar class right now. The professor, male, age 40, is all gung ho about us entering art competitions, joining art organizations, and receiving recognition. I suppose, for the 20-somethings in the class, it is good experience and encouragement. I'm 56, been there, done that, and have no interest in seeking awards and recognition for my art. Is there something wrong with me?
I find the whole self-promotion thing to be a shallow pursuit, and ultimately unfulfilling, even when the recognition does come. I've spent much of my adult life in that mode, and having achieved it to the degree to which I cared to take it, found it ultimately unfulfilling. I actually sent the seminar teacher a letter to this effect today. I'll probably get a lesser grade because of it, but I was being honest.
Have any of you here evolved to this stage with regard to recognition, or am I just burned out?!!!
Patty

i'm reluctant to search out shows to enter and such. it used to be fun and the recognition was good but as we mature, i think our priorities change. i'm more interested in turning out a superior product for myself now. and it's fun to see the younger ones getting out there.

i'm in agreement with you. i shudder to think of doing a lot of that again........xoxoxo pat

p.s. recently a man recognized my name and said that he had seen four of my photographs (from a private collection) in a museum......that was a rush and the best part was the way he got all giggly and "starstruck".....

he described each photo to me in painstaking detail. he got so carried away that i was tempted to remind him that i had seen them.

There's nothing wrong with you, seeker. As long as your art fulfills you, that's all that matters.

I can understand why your professor is encouraging the students to enter competitions, though. For the younger students, getting some awards to list on their CV will help them out in their careers. I work for a visual arts university that I graduated from 10 years ago. There's a lot of emphasis on getting the students to seek awards and recognition and learning how to market their art so they can make a living as artists after graduation.

It sounds like you've already been there and done that and your professor should understand that. I lost interest in awards quite a while ago too. Last year, I won an award for a poster design and my boss excitedly announced that it was going to be part of an exhibition in Brussels. My first question was, "Do I get a free trip to Brussels to go to the exhibition?" The answer was NO. Then I asked, "Is there a cash price attached to this award?" The answer was NO, so my reaction was, pfffft. I couldn't care less about having yet another framed certificate -- just one more award to clutter up my closet.

I decided long ago -- shortly after I started my career -- that my drawing and painting were for me only. I had been doing illustration for clients, but I realized in a very short while that tailoring my creativity to the needs and vision of a client were taking all the joy out of the process for me. So, I stuck with being a designer, but had to keep something just for myself -- something I could do to fulfill my own needs.

I spent much of my childhood performing in music festivals -- voice and piano. I stopped when I was 18, though. My father still doesn't understand why I don't want to "share" my talents with an audience any more. I don't need the applause, though. Music is something I do for my own soul. My soul and my creativity don't need an audience. I don't need praise from others -- that's not the part of being creative that brings me joy.

I don't think I'm burned out at all... and I don't think you are either. As we get older and wiser we have a better understanding of our needs and a better understanding of the role our own creativity plays in our lives. It sounds to me like you know what you hope to get from your creative pursuits -- and garnering awards and recognition from other people isn't part of it. If entering competitions is only going to use up your precious time and there's nothing in it that's going to fill a need in you, then why bother? I think you're too wise -- and you know yourself too well -- to waste your time and energy in that way.

Seeker,

Unless you think this is important at this stage in your life, I wouldn't bother.

Hugs,

EJ

Hi Patty

I am 53 and just finishing my Masters degree in Literacy. I think that when people our age go back to school we are looking for a different experience than when we were 20 something. I don't think of myself as burnt out but just having a different outlook. I love my classmates and get energized by their youth. I have some girlfriends who are the same ages as my sons. However, we don't have the same goals for our education or feel the same push. I think that communicating with your professor is a good idea and you shouldn't get a lesser grade because of it. Your goals and your needs are the most important thing for you. Schools should design instruction that meets the needs of all of their students. Stay the course.....Good luck!
Sister

you guys should see Patty's work...........my god, the stuff she does just blows me away. Patty, do you have photos in the gallery of the stuff that you've e.mailed me?

i had a photographer instructor that set it all straight for me in the 90s. we were in a workshop in NM and a French student was obsessing about pleasing everyone else. Douglas (Kent Hall, the instructor) told us about going to a gallery in Santa Fe and they rejected his work and he was so hurt and down. and then, BAM, he had a lightbulb moment.....he told us that his approach is "if they don't like my work, bleep 'em"........

now that sounds harsh, but it totally turned me around and i completely relaxed about my portfolio......and that's when my stuff really started flying off the walls. i was too caught up in trying to please the buyer/looker/colllector......as soon as i switched my M.O., i turned the corner. if i love it, hey! that's why i'm here.

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fayerody said:
recently a man recognized my name and said that he had seen four of my photographs (from a private collection) in a museum......that was a rush and the best part was the way he got all giggly and "starstruck".....

he described each photo to me in painstaking detail. he got so carried away that i was tempted to remind him that i had seen them.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

LOL - how fun!

I don't really like big lights, but I do want recognition - guess I still see it as a form of love which intellectually I know it is not. Also I'm younger - as I get more confident with my own recognition (recognition from myself) I don't think I'll need outside recognition so much. I'm talking in general here since I don't do art at anything but a novice level.

I think the intended audience really influences what I'm looking for. If I did something for public consumption, I'd want to know it was well received. When I do something for myself - then I don't need anyone else's praise although I appreciate it when it comes. When I do something for someone else, I like to know they liked what I gave them and that it pleases them.

I'd love to see some of your work, both of you, because I love beautiful things.

PS - I don't think it will affect your grade. You were meerly expressing your own views in response to his pushing you to enter your work. Now he knows where you're coming from. He's was probably trying to be encouraging.

Im like that too.....i am only 18 but i dont know...i have had a bad experiences with making my artwork and writing open in public...i used high school as a way to fullfill my needs and the art teacher thought i was good....and would let me stay after school and listen to music and do art so i wouldnt have to go home....but i was tormented too badly and a few of the kids would ruin my photography and such....they cut them all up into little pieces....and a few times i had some clay gone missing and one time someone took my photo and placed it in the art show under her name and the teacher was the one who pointed it out to me...i think she even got a prize for my pict. (turned out to be a friend of mine).....and at home i would sketch and i had some pretty good ones too i thought but they ended up getting thrown away..so after all that i keep everything i do in secert and too myself....its better i make myself feel better and doing it for myself i dont need anyones approval or their praise....thats not what artwork is about anyway....but i applaud those who recieved recognizition for their hard work and beautiful art.....keep at it...its good for the soul.

i'm so sorry, inny, that you went through that. that is disgusting. your art belongs to you for all time. no one should ever destroy or steal it.........xoxoxo pat

oh thanks fay...well i chalk it all up to expierence ya know?? When things like this happen you just have to sit back and look at the whole picture...and i hope that all of them have found their way in life doing something that they enjoy and that they love...because if they are happy and content they wont find reason to try to diminish others...
God bless...
love, Inny

What great responses, and from fellow artists! Thanks to all of you for sharing your own experiences.
InaCorner....I'm sorry you have had these bad experiences at such a young age! Do you plan to go on to study art in college? Please don't let these hurtful experiences deter you from expressing your artistic nature.
Like Pat, who is a very talented photographer, I also found that once I stopped worrying about others' opinions, and creating what I wanted, the stuff just flew out of here, and I couldn't keep up! Eventually, it became a commercial grind of pruduction, rather than the joy of creating, so now I am just enjoying the academic atmosphere and exploring the new medium of Fiber Arts. Yes, my professor is all gung ho about building a CV and entering shows, etc. The other students are 20-somethings, however, and will really benefit from his guidance. I lacked such guidance at that age, and know it is valuable for them. I think he understands the stage in which I find myself. I too have made good friendships with these young art students, and am amazed that they accept and relate to me as easily and openly as they do. One young girl sent me an email that I "inspired" her!
Thanks to all of you who have shared your thoughts here. It occurs to me that we should start a photo album here showing some of our work in the members' photo gallery!
Patty