Lynn Basa’s Tips for Eschewing Artistic Success
So you may not believe this, my thousand Facebook friends, but I often actually read your profile. Among strangers I have approached, was Lynn Basa, who’s biography included, “The Artist’s Guide to Public Art: How to Find and Win Commissions (New York: Allworth Press) 2008 The site includes topics menus for a workshop which include, “navigating the organizational hierarchy, getting quotes and samples from subcontractors, presenting one’s work in perspective renderings, overall portfolio appearance, interview preparation, and much more. This session assumes that participants already understand the basics of applying for public art commissions. Limited to 50 participants. So I said, “Wow. That’s really something. Lynn, will you bring it on home for our readers, share some tips?” And she said, “Oh, Cripes, do I have to write a blurb?” (I am wildly paraphrasing.) And I said, “No, blurbs are a pain. Say whatever you want.” So she said the following:
Some background
www.guidetopublicart.com
10 Ways to Become a Starving Artist
based on a talk by Lynn Basa, Indiana Conference on Public Art, Nashville, November 13, 2009.
#10 Starving artists don’t go to professional development workshops.
#9 Starving artists don’t set goals.
#8 Starving artists don’t know how much money they need to live on.
#7 Starving artists don’t create multiple income streams.
#6 Starving artists think that if the general public likes their work then it’s not good art.
#5 Starving artists don’t negotiate.
#4 Starving artists don’t follow up and follow through.
#3 Starving artists don’t ask for the sale.
#2 Starving artists don’t pay themselves.
#1 Starving artists don’t believe that they don’t have to be starving artists.
There you go, ladies and gentlemen, Lynn Basa.
I believe this may be her artist story on CAR. http://www.chicagoartistsresource.org/visual-arts/node/350
