Is Your Best Creative Work Being Ignored?

TL;DR

Sometimes our best work may be ignored while other pieces receive more attention and praise, but as artists, we must continue creating and finding a balance between personal expression and customer satisfaction.

Transcript

Hey, it’s Marie Forleo and you are watching MarieTV, the place to be to create a business and life you love so much you wanna make out with it 24/7. This is Q&A Tuesday and today’s question comes from Jennifer and she writes: “Dear Marie, I want to tell you how much you’ve inspired me (thank you). I'm working out every morning in an attempt to chan... Read More

Key Insights

• 💦 Creative success requires consistency and perseverance, even if some work falls short of expectations.
• 🧑‍🎨 Listening to audience feedback and understanding market demand is crucial for artists who want to make a living from their art.
• 👅 Artistic taste differs among individuals, and not all creations that resonate personally will garner the same response from others.
• 🧑‍🎨 Balancing artistic vision and audience demand is a perpetual challenge for artists.
• 😑 It's essential to find a middle ground between personal expression and delivering what the audience wants.
• 🥰 Compromising artistic integrity for financial gain is often a necessary step in making a sustainable career in the arts.
• 💩 Recognizing that not all artistic endeavors will be hits can alleviate the pressure to always produce masterpieces.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why does our best work sometimes receive less attention than other pieces?

This phenomenon can be attributed to various factors, such as personal preferences of the audience, changing trends, or the unpredictability of artistic reception.

Q: How can artists find a balance between staying true to their vision and catering to audience demand?

Artists can analyze patterns in what sells and what doesn't, and have conversations with buyers, editors, or customers to understand their preferences and feedback. It's important to stay open-minded and remember that art is a dialogue with the audience.

Q: Is focusing on selling art considered "selling out"?

No, it's not selling out but rather being smart about making a living off of one's art. Understanding audience preferences can make artists better businesspeople while still maintaining their authenticity.

Q: When should artists compromise their artistic vision for financial gain?

Artists may need to take on commercial projects or work outside their typical style to sustain their passion projects or creative endeavors. It's a necessary compromise to support their artistic aspirations.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jennifer is frustrated that her best work goes unnoticed while her lesser pieces receive more attention.

• She wonders if she has terrible taste or if she's missing cues from customers and editors.

• Additionally, Jennifer fears her novel will also receive a 'meh' response, hindering her from completing it.