A cautionary tale of two artists

Becoming a professional artist means you have to balance your perfectionism with the need to produce art on a consistent basis. This is a clip from last week's livestream. Watch new livestreams every Wednesday at 8pm CT.
The musician I mentioned in this video is ‪@UnlikePluto‬
#acrylicpainting #coloredpencil
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[@emmaleewalters9312]

Sometimes planning and perfectionism can turn into another form of procrastination.

[@Lachri]

Absolutely! I was in a band with my friend and that was exactly what was happening back then. I left that band because none of them would actually work to finish ANYTHING.

[@soowzy]

Really really needed to hear this. Just what I was coming to realize about how to go forward when I found this video. THANK YOU for the nudge!

[@lynnrushton7458]

I love how blunt you are Lisa …….say it like it is 👌👏👏👏

[@Lachri]

Thanks :)

[@ebattershill445]

Thank you for putting your art out there ,I love your art and your attitude and honesty,your so non judgemental but still speak your mind , thank you,I just found you today and am looking forward to binging all your content,you make soooo much sense.😊

[@TjVoelkerArt]

Thanks Lisa. I needed to hear that. I like to draw large pictures, but being in to realism and being a bit of a perfectionist, they take a long time. Recently I thought of starting two much smaller projects at the same time. I tend to get bored with just doing one (and you can see why when it takes a couple months to complete it). Now you have given me another reason to do the smaller ones. I can also still do a large one, but work on it in between. Thanks again for your insight.

[@BoysBarn]

Good, very good medicine. Thanks!

[@sheryl1755]

This is exactly what I needed to hear.

[@Lachri]

Glad I could help :)

[@jcortese3300]

It's funny how so much of this boils down to just "work your @ss off." The painting got here BTW -- gorgeous as always. Am taking it to get framed this weekend. 🙂

[@Lachri]

YAY!!! I'm so glad it got there! And yep, work your butt off is a common theme with success. Sadly, it's gotten so that people actually get mad when you say that because they have a list of reasons as to why they feel they can't do it.

[@marikothecheetah9342]

Solid advice.

[@rodeastell3615]

Great video and message. Thank you.

[@emmadonaghyart1954]

Thank you so much Lisa! This was THE video I needed to see today!! 😁❤️🙏

[@Lachri]

Glad I could help!

[@learnartwithme3766]

Go look at MJ's output from Off the wall and Prince's from For You, both 1979 and look at how many album's were made by both in the 80's. In Prince's case, he recorded a ton of stuff in the early-mid 80's, he released the Black album then pulled it and released Love Sexy in the same year, in 1986, he recorded 2 triple albums and 1 double album which resulted in Sign O the times, there were duplicate tracks, but 3 full albums in one year.

[@CassWomack]

I wonder if there is any room for the older artists anymore. I have arthritis, and I know my drawing and painting limitations which has slowed me down. But it seems there is no hope for even the artists who wish to work hard and faster and cant. There's been an uptick of videos like this online. Not making money = work harder you lazy. Sometimes, its more then that, not just chronic procrastination or burnout. I wish more people would address the health and mental balance when it comes to art. I know that wasn't the point of this video subject. But it is something really I feel newer artists just starting their journey also need to hear, to take care of their bodies as well. It's about figuring out that balance too. Because working harder can also lead to health complications.

[@Lachri]

For someone who physically can't do as much art, I would consider a different medium (acrylic painting is easier on my arthritis than colored pencil for example). We all have to figure out and adapt what we do to fit what we can do. We need to know our own limits. If an artist is working to make a career with art, the reality is you HAVE to work hard to make it. There is no way around that. No one will pay for work not completed. What is the saying, something like business owners/entrepreneurs work a 80 hour work week to avoid a 40 hour work week? Not everything is going to be a fit for every person and every situation. Some artists will enjoy working a different, less demanding job while doing art as a hobby. There is NOTHING wrong with that and there is MUCH less pressure then. Whenever I give advice like this I often hear that I just don't understand what it's like to have health issues. Many don't know this, but my health was so bad from fibromyalgia and ankylosing spondylitis that I was near bedridden many years ago. I still struggle with pain (you notice me getting really wiggly in the videos, that is because of the constant pain from arthritis in my back. My brain randomly shuts off (thanks fibro) and makes it hard to function. The fatigue I struggle through makes EVERYTHING harder. I only bring that up because many jump to the conclusion that I just don't understand. We all have to figure out what will be the best fit for us physically and mentally and go from there. What is best for one person may not be the best choice for another, but that isn't going to change the fact that we're not going to get paid for what we're not producing.

[@wereflea8496]

Cass from one oldster to another, I need to hear her fast talking work harder enthused determination. That said, I'm sadly too old to take her advice although I would really love to do so. That also being said… I am too old to give a damn about most everything unless I want to. I shoot for the pleasure of my doing it despite my body's betrayal (I mean I try waking up young again but I must be doing it wrong because so far that hasn’t worked out so great). No I can't like once I could no matter what the medium I’ll use. It is just reality… who knew right? But damn the medium really is the massage as the first and original title of McLughan's book went (go forth and be misquoted?). My art isn’t the art I used to make (that young guy is long gone lol) but it is what I still can make. Arthritis is such a pain, ya know? Said the old sculptor who ended up with weak and clumsier hands. What's that you say? Cain't paint worth a damn but then I never really could anyway. Bought me a shit load of colored pencils because the tremor jerk with a pencil is somehow different and more controllable for me (and less catastrophic) than when I am trying to paint a delicate curve with a tiny sable brush. My point is that she is serious inspiration in and of herself, God bless her. She's cool even if she talks faster than any yankee. 😎 To create is great. We are both too old to let our taking it all too serious find a way to stop us. Heck at his age and infirm, even if the old coot (le Coote?) couldn't see the Water Lillies too well… still he created masterpieces just by doing them. Be like Monet… do it anyway.

[@Lachri]

Another option for artists who work slower is to focus on creating cool merch (stickers/pillows/prints/mugs etc) of their work. Sharing the merch and how you make it could be a great way to go to keep yourself active. I will talk more about that in next week's video ❤

[@CamberGreber]

Preach it ❤

[@DelilaBishop]

I really needed to hear this! ❤

[@1sacoyle]

For the past couple of years I have been entering my work at a local art center. My work has placed several times. Then a few months ago a couple of new artist join the art center and have placed first & second & honorable mention every month. The husband works in oil and the wife does digital mixed media. Yes their work is quite good. I work in acrylics and get loads of complements on my work. Your videos have been a big help. I would love to get a critique from you.

[@gallagherwitt]

This is so true. Writing is another art form that people often spend TONS of time on, but the fact is, most writers who make a living are very prolific. Unless you score one of the mega deals (spoiler: the vast majority of us never will), you have to produce a lot to keep the money flowing. Not all authors write a lot, and that's fine. Most of the writers who actually make a living, though, release multiple books per year, which can mean 1-3 for some authors/genres, or 4-6, or 12+ for others. The motto we've tattooed on our foreheads is "the best marketing is the next book," and it's probably the truest piece of writing advice I've ever heard. Especially since a book can have a somewhat tepid release, but then another book 6 months later takes off, and everybody discovers the previous one and it takes off, too. I've had that happen a number of times. And much like with painting or drawing, the more you do it, the better you get. People think "More prolific = not caring about quality," but that's simply not the case. Many of us produce a lot, but we also work hard on each book, and you get better as you go. It's hard NOT to get better when you've been through literally hundreds of rounds with editors, you know? lol So I 100% agree. Perfectionism is a time vampire, and the more pieces you produce -- whether it's paintings, songs, or books -- the more visible you are to people who want them. Regardless of your medium, your best marketing is your next piece.

[@ElleWhyBee]

Yes! I plan too much, and end up not doing it. I need to channel younger me and just do it.

[@toshabeans]

Lisa, I'm having problems creating through several chronic illnesses! I have the ideas and supplies (and i think i have the skills lol), but my body just yells at me, and i think I'm worried to create something and only be reminded of the pain i was in when it was created. When i do feel well, i get caught up in getting caught up in the rest of life, like chores or home\yard projects. How can i overcome this mental hurdle and allow myself to create without the worry\guilt? Thanks for being such a wholesome role model ❤

[@rainangel159]

You just murdered me 😂 But great advice, thanks 👍

[@fuzzydragons]

i try to produce at least one piece a week, 2 weeks at the most. if its a big project, def have smaller things to show or have a bunch of reference photos to use. having something so the weeks wasnt a complete waste

[@Ceares]

This applies so much to writing too. As an indie author. Art right now is a hobby, while I'm trying to get my writing career going. AS a slow writer it's a constant struggle to produce fast enough that I stay on the radar. It's harder I think as independent/freelance artists in general because there's just you to both market and produce.

[@applesauceandhoney2407]

I love this. Can I ask if I really want to move away from youtube tutorials and get to the next level and sell art. What would you suggest. What course would really help me to learn so I can make my own art. I see so many courses and get overwhelmed. Everyone promising me that if I pay hundreds of dollars to them I will be able produce my art without tutorials. I really respect your answer.

[@Lachri]

How would someone learn without tutorials, that sounds a bit like the weird motivational speaker scammy stuff. There isn't really a good way for me to answer this though because I have no idea where your art is right now. One of the things I want people doing when they follow my tutorials is to use the techniques I teach on their own project. If i'm painting a white dog, use those techniques on your own reference photo of a white dog. Some of the tutorials go too far with "help" and move into nearly doing the work for you (like when they provide all the line drawings for you). I want you to learn to do that on your own (there are more benefits to doing your own than just that). There is no reason to pay hundreds of dollars on lessons/classes when you have plenty like me who offer them for $4

[@applesauceandhoney2407]

@@Lachri THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! I really needed this answer. Because I have seen my art improve with tutorials and i have started to use the tutorials as a base for the start of my painting and then to branch out and make my art my own. I am going to keep going and use your tutorials and not feel tight thinking I have to spend a ton to take all these " take my course and you will be a artist that can paint everything without tutorials" etc( you know all those promotions ppl put out for expensive courses. They promise after that my art will improve so much I will be able to sell and do my thing...

[@plebflayer666]

Wow. That was real.

[@MajeedaArt]

Music was basically daily life for years and sometimes fun I occasionally joke that my life had a soundtrack haha but it was also stressful especially before Spotify when we were almost entirely dependent on getting signed to a record label and had to have entertainment lawyers and agents etc but I agree in terms of artist and content creators in general, it's best to put out the content we can improve over time vs getting stuck in analysis paralysis or allowing perfectionist tendencies to take hold, this has been a hard lesson for me because I sometimes experience crippling perfectionist thinking I've rarely if ever felt 100% satisfied with my work but I push myself to put it out because it takes time to improve, and if I wait and wait I simply won't release it. the chances of doing something every day or every week of your life and not improving to some degree is slim to none example this time a years or so ago I could not paint nature study's at all not even a tree I could barely draw a tree as I was doing fantasy portrait illustrations most often and avoided doing backgrounds hence my point we can learn and improve over time ☮️❤

[@miwona_art]

I agree. 1 work per week is a perfect balance between being slap-dash or too much of a perfectionist. However, it does depend on a medium, size and subject. For me, having a day job and doing art in my free time, 1 work per week is just right. In the past I tried to post something every day, but I ended up doing mediocre art . On the other hand, Leonardo worked on Mona Lisa for over 10 years, but he did have some other project in-between ;)

[@travisnobleart]

Our work is only as valuable as our attitude and skill. If you don't yet have the skill, don't ship. Don't let others decide what's good enough for you. When you can sign your name to it, you're ready.

[@carolbenavidez2228]

So needed to have heard this years ago! 🙄

[@natomiltary4573]

Her friend got roasted hard x'D

[@Lachri]

Nothing I've not said to him in the past.

[@candyboyer]

I still say CD...& I've been thru albums, vinyl, 8 tracks, cassettes, tapes, and CDs 😂

[@Lachri]

Lol 8 tracks. Now I've not seen those in a loooong time 😂😂😂

[@alicejump7245]

Wise

[@loati94]

Hey Lisa! I know this has nothing to do with the topic of the video but I had a question. Do you know what is the consensus about using videogames as reference photos for painting or drawing? When I play videogames I often get really inspired and would like to paint some landscapes or creatures etc, even though I don't know how to approach them yet lol. But If I were to paint them, is it something that I could share on the internet? Or would I have to keep them for myself as if I were doing painting studies of current artists? There's a ton of fan art on the internet but I don't see people painting from references from videogames.

[@Lachri]

That would be considered fan art, so it depends on how that video game company handles fan art.

[@inotilaatinghaamwa9333]

I don't fully agree with how you put things. But in general yes, produce/make...

[@martiadams1534]

❤🧡💚💙💜🤍❣❤🧡💛💚💙🖤🤍❣❤🧡💚💙💜🤎🤎🖤🤍❣❤🧡💙💜🤎💛💙