January 18, 2009

 ACE Newsletter

The Value of Just Showing Up

I have met a lot of artists over the years who are waiting to be discovered! It is a great place to be we imagine.  But there is a lot of work that goes into being discovered. 

I watched an episode of" Private Screenings" on Turner Classic Movies the other night where host Robert Osborne sat down with former child stars Margaret O'Brien, Jane Withers, Dickie Moore and Darryl Hickman for an interview on their lives and careers.

What an interesting show!  And how informative to catch an insider's glimpse of a profession I knew little about!  It was a whole new world of  information and insight into how the old Hollywood star system operated and how life was for a child actor during the "Golden Age" of Hollywood  in the 1930's and 1940's.  As Osborne interviewed the four stars, several consistent threads ran through the lives of each they chatted about how they started as a child star.  

The one of most interest to me was listening to how many of their opportunities became available because they "showed up."   I think it was the famous quote attributed to actor Woody Allen, "Eighty percent of success is showing up," that solidified the observation for me.  

The other consistent thread was a positive support system of both studio and family. The money earned by two of the interviewed child stars, supported their families during the Depression. The other two had families who wisely invested the money rather than run through it.  It goes without saying that a positive atmosphere creates positive results! And all the participants credited their families and directors for their efforts in maintaining that atmosphere.

So what does acting have to do with being an artist? Everything!  The desire and strong work ethic to succeed, the positiveness that needs to surround one's efforts and that very big point of showing up!

I spent  5 years at a large Flea Market, selling my art to support myself and 4 children. Every weekend, hot days, cold days, good days, bad days! And although my art friends all knew why and applauded my efforts, they would not have been caught dead there! It was not the accepted path. 

But you know what? I was there.  And in simply being there and working hard, doors into other areas opened. I created the artwork for a number of UNC and NCSU publications, illustrated and authored several books for a publisher in NY, created work for families, businesses, corporations and museums.  A long list of accomplishments and opportunities  became available to me simply because someone who knew someone happened to walk by that day!
I was successful because I was willing to work and produced the artwork on schedule and professionally. And I showed up.
The child actors in the Private Screenings interview were no different.  After "luck" presented them with an opportunity, the rest was up to their desire and abilities to work, their own work ethic and their support group as to whether or not they would go further than that one opportunity.  All success stories have the same ingredients.     
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity" is a well known quote by Roman philosopher, Seneca. 
Writer Brian Tracy, with a slightly different take, says,
"I've found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck, take more chances. Be more active. Show up more often."
So while you are creating your art, increasing your body of work, developing your skills, don't stay in your studio and wait,  for there is the value of simply showing up!

Our "Art For Sale" -How to Bring Home a Paycheck with your Art- audio/book package addresses a major challenge facing most artists. And that is the shedding of any misinformation that you have been previously exposed to from the "Art World" . Much of it may be seriously hampering your current efforts and will affect your future efforts.   
We will be posting some video after the first class and welcome your comments!

Until later,

Theresa and Steve

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