Wednesday, April 13, 2016

frequently asked questions: how to keep your work authentic



I get all kinds of email and asked TONS of questions about all sorts of creative things and once in a while I will take the time to answer many of the frequently asked questions here on my blog!

Something I get asked a lot is how I am able to keep my work authentic, grow my style and resist the temptation to copy. Today I am sharing some of the best advice I can give for staying authentic in your work.


ABOUT MY JOURNEY:
I have always known I wanted to be an artist. I am not sure the exact age but art and creativity have been in my blood since the beginning. I have two parents who are potters and ran their business from home. This meant creativity and self employment was a big part of my life. Thankfully my parents fostered my interest in art at an early age. Growing up I took drawing classes, participated in art shows, contests and sold my art at craft fairs.

It wasn't until I graduated from high school that the concept of being an artist became real for me. While I had always identified myself as an artist, I fell in love with art in college. From that point on I knew I would do whatever it took to pursue a creative career. Like most, I worked lots of day jobs while working on my portfolio, showing my art and taking on freelance jobs. I landed a really great job in marketing that allowed me to be creative but it never satisfied my craving to make art on my terms. I finally got serious about my dreams and set out to quit my job- a long 5 year process that started with making a plan and setting a lot of goals. After time spent working long days at an office job, lots of rejection, tears, persistence and never giving up, I built a successful creative business. I was able to get to the point (financially and creatively) to quit my day job and take the leap into full time artist and entrepreneur and have never looked back



a little background from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.


 

get off the computer from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.



be an observer from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.




be productive from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.



put your blinders on from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.




put your own twist on trends from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.



don't be tempted to copy from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.



14 comments:

Unknown said...

Great advice...isolating myself when I'm creating gives me the most satisfaction. I think we get caught up sometimes in this fast-paced world and it's hard. Sometimes I have to go on walks to clear my brain. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Danielle

Giddings Art said...

I agree....great advice!

Cheri Paxton said...

I really enjoyed listening to your thoughts on how to be authentic in this media driven world. You have given me a new outlook on how to be inspired. I totally agree, it starts by getting the heck off the computer! Thank you.

Jeans 'n Tshirt said...

After video 2 I thought to myself... "My art is..." I am not into starting a business or selling stuff I want to create for me and maybe others in the form of cards but it is a process of using my empty nest of 4 children to find me at damn near 60!
I love your art your inspirations... My authenticity is in my world. I must get out observe and make my art work for me
Thanks Alisa!

Joanne said...

thanks for a very inspiring post alisa

Unknown said...

this was beyond excellent! you touched on topics that have been floating thru my head for weeks. im trying to find my style and was looking to instagram and pinterest for inspiration. what was happening is that the images i was looking at were being created by my brain amd i was left in even more frustration because all i did was create someone elses work. i deleted instagram and pinterest off my phone and told a friend that i need to hermit up a bit when it comes to my art. for once im excited to see what i can unearth from my mind when it is left to think for itself without being bombarded by images of others work.

Bonita Rose said...

trying to keep up and I think all out greed for more money/fame is what drives some. Just the other day I noticed a well known IGer copying another artist in her creations. Made me so sad.. with no mention of the original artist at all. It's sad how some get away with it.

clara said...

Thanks a lot! I wish I had your balance in everything! I will try to follow your wise advices!

melissa said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jo Murray said...

Great advice ...thanks for that. Sometimes it's difficult not to be influenced by other artists, particularly when they are VERY inspiring.

Unknown said...

Great words of wisdom and reminders about staying real.

Unknown said...

Great words of wisdom and reminders about staying real.

jacquelyn said...

Thank you for these videos! I am so glad you took the time for that. So inspiring and encouraging!

bambino said...

THank you for these videos, you are so right!

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