Yesterday I wrote a blog for the Fine Art View's newsletter about how artists who are cordial and friendly attract more opportunities than artists who are critical and angry.  I can't be sure when Clint Watson will post that blog; however, I've decided to write a follow up on my blog anyway.

Workshops are socially stressful occasions for me, and I'd be willing to bet I'm not alone.

Each workshop I've attended has a similar set of student personalities. First there's the student who thinks she  knows more than the instructor - each time the instructor explains a concept, this student immediate follows with "pertinent" information. Then there's the student who takes it upon her or himself to critique other student's work - without their permission. Finally, there's the "bragger"...this student has studied with the best on earth and therefore knows everything there is to know.

Perhaps you fit into one of these types - I do - I often find myself in the bragger role because I do paint with some amazing and famous painters, but I need to curb this habit -- not depend on the fame of my mentors to win me favor with fellow students. The other bad habit I need to be careful about: taking over the teaching of the class. After all, I do have a lot of knowledge which could be helpful to the other students, but this behavior is in bad taste, and if I want to have fellowship with my peers, I'd better practice being a better listener than talker.

The students in a workshop have paid large sums of money to hear the instructor, not me or any of the other students. Nobody really cares how much I know or how well I can paint. The attendees are more concerned with how well they're doing. Unfortunately, the air of competition in a workshop setting can't be completely eliminated... we all want to be "one of the best" and get compliments from the instructor and fellow students.

So how should we students behave in artist groups and workshop settings?

First, I need to remind myself that I am there to quietly learn from the instructor. I am a social person. I love people but when I get a little nervous, I talk even more. As I said earlier, I need to practice: talking less and listening more. Nobody really cares what I know, and if they do, they can ask me at dinner or outside the classroom setting. But I must avoid giving unsolicited information.

It's important to realize that when we are gracious and build others up instead of ourselves, that we open doors of opportunity for ourselves. Then the people who have the power to build our careers remember us as enjoyable and positive. Many times I've been privy to conversations about how a certain artist, even though a masterful painter, is not going to be considered for an article or opportunity because of a bad attitude.

We all want to excell, be heard, be admired, and have folks "ooh and ahh" over our work, but in situations with peers and mentors, it's best to forget about all these things and practice humility. One the other hand, when you're the star artist of a gallery opening, well that is an entirely different situation. Then you'll need to impress folks, but there is right time and place for tooting ones horn. Group artist events and workshops aren't one of them.

I've emailed my closest artist friends, my colleagues and said I'm going to practice - listening more and talking less. One of them got back to me saying "ha ha ha... I bet you can't do it".  Now I feel like it's a challenge, and maybe I can't change right away, but I'm going to try my darndest.

Sincerely,
Lori