After the rain
Well, it finally rained. Nothing to write home about although there has been some impressive thunder. It sounded like it wanted to storm and it almost did.
Yesterday was another big day for me. I busted my ass getting ready for a presentation for a public arts commission and all I can think about is what wasn't said that needed be said. Something happens to me when I am talking to a group of my peers ... my mind races and I get ahead of myself. I become spastic! This type of race to the finish doesn't happen when I am teaching, thank God.
I would love to be able to speak freely and intelligently, even humorously in front of an audience like my dear husband. He is completely unself-conscious and actually embraces the audience! It is always obvious that he enjoys himself, always has something worthwhile to say... and people love him for it . He has had two people leave messages this week regarding public speaking engagements. Of course, he is an actor, so this type of skill falls into his repetoire of talents more naturally than mine. I had much rather be in the studio making art than talking about it....especially the work being made.
Stimulating dialogue is great but it is very difficult to engage in conversation from a stage. WHEN the miracle of exchange (questions!) happens I am most the comfortable... and at least I know someone was listening.
I do know the committee was paying attention yesterday but haven't a clue who won. Odds are not in my favor for many reasons. The competition was very stiff.... the budget is not very large... and my proposal was likely the most complicated. I do think it would be great thing for the client but I am confident that the other two proposals would also result in something very worthwhile. Both the other canidates are excellent artists and I was honored to be included in a pool of such fine repute.
Yesterday was another big day for me. I busted my ass getting ready for a presentation for a public arts commission and all I can think about is what wasn't said that needed be said. Something happens to me when I am talking to a group of my peers ... my mind races and I get ahead of myself. I become spastic! This type of race to the finish doesn't happen when I am teaching, thank God.
I would love to be able to speak freely and intelligently, even humorously in front of an audience like my dear husband. He is completely unself-conscious and actually embraces the audience! It is always obvious that he enjoys himself, always has something worthwhile to say... and people love him for it . He has had two people leave messages this week regarding public speaking engagements. Of course, he is an actor, so this type of skill falls into his repetoire of talents more naturally than mine. I had much rather be in the studio making art than talking about it....especially the work being made.
Stimulating dialogue is great but it is very difficult to engage in conversation from a stage. WHEN the miracle of exchange (questions!) happens I am most the comfortable... and at least I know someone was listening.
I do know the committee was paying attention yesterday but haven't a clue who won. Odds are not in my favor for many reasons. The competition was very stiff.... the budget is not very large... and my proposal was likely the most complicated. I do think it would be great thing for the client but I am confident that the other two proposals would also result in something very worthwhile. Both the other canidates are excellent artists and I was honored to be included in a pool of such fine repute.
posted by "" at 7:56 PM
3 Comments:
Amieo:
Public presentations are hard. You have to let people in on a little bit of yourself when you do it. I make presentations in the course of my work to groups as large as 80 or 90 people and while I always feel good aferwards, it's sometimes a fright getting there.
Good luck on your proposal. I admire your willingness to hustle for commissions.
Amie:
Good luck. I'm glad you're having the opportunity to present for these commissions, and I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Any good blessings, charms or voodoo you all can send my way would be seriously appreciated. I'll be pleased as punch if it all works out but if it doesn't I'll use the experience to improve my chances next go round..
One of the things I've learned about the business of being an artist is that the return on all applied opportunities is about 10%. (really) Somehow an artist must learn to keep on keeping on although there isn't going to be a carrot at the end of the stick a lot of the time....not an edible one, anyway. We must accept the experiences of life, art! and of course rejection as just cause for most of what we do outside of the studio.
I am also a finalist for another commission that could be a really big deal with a budget of about 100k. It turns out we have a new mayor who will tangle the funding for this project into controversy. Art and politics are a tiresome theme these days so I think its time for lunch!
Post a Comment
<< Home