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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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PO Box
337 Franklinton, NC 27525 USA 919-880-7431