My Artwork is Better than THAT.....!

Theresa Brown
ARTCAREER EXPERTS

My Artwork is Better than THAT.....!
We've all said it. We all meant it. But what it really means, when all is said and done, is that we are envious of that other artist. A stronger word is Jealousy.
It happens to all artists. It is a trait in mankind that has the power to build or destroy.
In our own mind, and perhaps a few others such as our mothers, our amazing talent defies the odds. In fact, in our view, our incredible God given or man trained talent is so remarkable that we could be Michaelangelo or Picasso re-incarnated! So if we are, how come we aren't making any money?

When we see an artist making money or gaining recognition, and whose work, we feel, is far beneath our own talent, abilities and performance, jealousy comes to the forefront.
Oh, the jealousy may be cloaked in indignation or supercilious behavior or a scathing critique but no matter how you cut it, it is jealousy nonetheless!
And YOU are the one who is jealous!
Career jealousy is a fact. But you can use it to your advantage or disadvantage. The choice is yours.
How many artists have said in some similar format, "If I have to stoop to THAT, I won't create at all!" or "I can do that if I put my mind to it!" or the really popular cop out, "I won't sell out just to make money!" What you are also saying is that you are fearful. By not trying, you have not failed so those smug comments are also a cloaking device for "fear of failure."
So really, who cares if you don't create? Who, exactly, are you hurting with that attitude? Your fans? What fans? They don't know you exist. You are only hurting yourself or fooling yourself that you are what you think you are! And that is the underlying point in the jealousy issue.
People don't know that you, the Great Artist, exist! So there comes a point in all art careers where the old expressions we all have heard begin to make a huge amount of common sense.

"Put your money where your mouth is."
"Actions speak louder than words."
"Put up or shut up."
It is far safer and easier to criticize the efforts of another artist than improve your own artistic techniques or get out and market yourself!   So how can an artist get past the roadblock of jealousy and begin to reap the rewards of success?
Stop complaining and get to work!
Make an attitude adjustment: Jealousy of others happens. Get over it if you want to succeed!
Learn from the marketing efforts of the successful artist.
Make a Business plan for success in your art field
Keep your negative thoughts to yourself. Don't walk up to a marketing artist or post comments on the Internet with an insulting attitude. It is the most childish form of jealousy.
Determination, perseverance and positiveness need to be your new motto!
An artist happy in his own skin is a pleasure to be around. A jealous artist is an emotional drain and a wet blanket. Do not be one of the unhappy ones and do not spend time around one of them!
Lose the attitude by turning your jealous thoughts towards positive action! Once hard work, perseverance and positiveness replace the negative attitudes, you will be well on your way to pushing the career stumbling blocks of jealousy into the background. The new changes will be life altering for you, your new fans and your family!