Episode 242: The Challenges of Consistency

The Messy Studio with Rebecca Crowell

As artists we know it’s important to be open to new ideas and changes—but for marketing purposes we’re also expected to have an identifiable style that is consistent and recognizable. This basic dilemma is frustrating when you have wide-ranging interests and like to explore new ideas or media. Your work can appear to be “all over the place” and seem to lack focus. At the other extreme, being overly concerned that your work is consistent can inhibit your growth as an artist.

These are issues that are contained in the idea of personal voice, in which you can have flexibility and change while working within the realm of what is meaningful in your work, that is, your core ideas and content. The search for basic intentions is an ongoing aspect of creative process but is more involved as an artist in is the beginning stages. The stage of incubation of core ideas may take years, and during that time, exploration and experimentation are essential at that time.

Marketing enters the picture when galleries and collectors need your work to be consistent and within parameters that define your style and approach. This allows them to market your work as a sort of brand. But allowing for your growth and changes when dealing with galleries is important. Growth that is the kind that evolves organically over time is typically more accepted. For you as the artist, understanding what makes your work consistent and building from that base is helpful. Working in series is an excellent path to this discovery.

This issue of consistency and growth is of those balancing acts that creativity requires, and it means we find individual solutions to that balance. Thinking of consistency as continuity and organic growth is a helpful idea that encompasses change and flexibility. Your work can move forward yet also have common threads. Those threads are what makes your work you, and unique.

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What's new at Cold Wax Academy?
Rebecca and Jerry are now midway through their winter quarter of online sessions at Cold Wax Academy, where as always members have access to in-depth and varied content for learning and growth. Upcoming sessions include a presentation by guest author Shaun McNiff, tips on photographing your artwork, a painting clinic for works in progress, and the final critique session for this quarter with a special focus on composition. As a member, you can also access the private Facebook page and the community there of informed and supportive artists who post paintings, ask questions and initiate discussions.

It's never too late to join Cold Wax Academy! All live sessions are recorded and there are now nearly 100 previous sessions in the member library. Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information as well as basic information about using cold wax medium.

Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information.
Here is what a member named Sandy has to say about her own experience with Cold Wax Academy:
"Rebecca and Jerry have presented the most professional, authentic and structured approach to a creative activity I have ever come across. Their selfless sharing of all their knowledge and encouragement is a gift in my life unsurpassed."

Also-- please visit https://www.espacioart.org to learn about Rebecca and Jerry's newest project, Espacio, dedicated to providing beautiful living and working spaces for artists and writers. Espacio's first offering is Casa Clavel, a modern, fully equipped house opening this September in the beautiful cultural city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. A few booking openings are still available in 2023, so please incquire if you are interested.

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For more from The Messy Studio:
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For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.coldwaxacademy.com
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The Messy Studio Podcast is a Tick Digital Media Production.