What a day it was yesterday. I interviewed several applicants for Intern/Assistant position & also added 15 (8x10) Cocoa & Hearts paintings to the site, which sold out in less than 20 minutes! As always, I'm amazed & thankful. It's been a wonderful experience being able to pick up the paint brush again & actually sell my work at this level. My mom paints as well, she's very creative... in fact, I got my creativity from her.
But there's an ugly side to having a business & being relatively successful - people begin to HATE. Certain people you thought liked you or were your friends all of a sudden start to remove themselves from your circle. This has happened to me on a number of occasions in the last few years & it's mind boggling. Even for those who don't know you in person & just share an occasional hello or two online - even some of those people become extremely distant. Heck, I've even had (so called) friends that have been jealous that I have such a wonderful husband. Could this be jealousy in it's ugliest form?
I sure hope not, but we all know that this world is broken & so we have people with hidden agendas who have no interest in one's heart but instead what they can squeeze out of you.
Almost EVERY time I launch the newest paintings, I get a hater email. HATER mail, can you believe that? Telling me how my art IS NOT art! I laugh & don't bother responding. However, today, I'd love to ask them, have you ever been to the MOMA, Getty or The MET?
It's interesting, some people I know don't consider Cy Twombly's work to be art because of it's sheer simplicity, but I do. I think it's genius. Interesting how that works right?
My point is, art comes in various forms. Sure, not everyone will LOVE my art, but I'm not making paintings for everyone. My art is relatively simple, colorful, modern, vibrant, happy & full of emotion! Again, not for everyone.
On the other hand, I get lots of SUPPORT from some amazing bloggers & readers who have written about my work or expressed their thoughts via email. Someone even asked the other day, 'Jen, why don't you have your work in a gallery?" The answer to that is - I don't know. I haven't had (yet) a gallery approach me about my work, or I approach them. Being in a gallery is a lot of work, and even though I'm not against it, it is something I'd definitely have to think about if approached. Speaking of amazing support, here is a beautiful post that was emailed to me from a reader who expressed what my art meant to her.
And to the HATERS, jealousy is probably the reason you're taking time out of your day to email me. It's that simple. As for me, I will continue to do what I love.
Have you felt similar feelings of jealousy within the online community? How about in your own circle of friends? How have you dealt with it??
-images by jen ramos
