It is a delicate balance – I currently believe – between pleasing oneself and pleasing customers. Certainly, I am not going to create artwork that does not please me. There is no point to that. I am also creating work not just for myself but for others aslo. It is part of my mission statement. I want people to be uplifted by my work. When I create, I feel that I am creating for all of us (who are inspired by my work). I feel I am allowing myself to be a channel for the life force – it is not mine.

Abstract Design I, Digital © Diane Clancy

I am continuing the ruminations from the last two days posts about the unifying themes of color, uplifting, whimsical and poetic quality in my artwork. I am showcasing these abstract designs during this discussion as part of a unifying theme for these thoughts. As I mentioned, sometimes I think it is enough that in certain ways my work does hang together as a body of work with many subgroups.

But other times I think I should specialize much more tightly. But which part to give up? This is another aspect of being an artist in business. Many people love my enhanced animal images – they are some of my best sellers. Am I supposed to drop that part of my work because it is a “lighter” type of art? I first showcased my goddess collages, and some people then wanted more choices. That is how I got into printing cards myself – to be able to supply people with the variety they desire.

For me it is an odd balance of being an artist  of pleasing me and pleasing my audience. I am going to continue these thoughts tomorrow.

~ Diane Clancy

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