Show and Tell Sundays – Inquiring Minds Want to Know

I’m still playing catch up after my surgery and taking the time to heal. Feeling great too, except I have not been consistent in my communications with you. Please pardon my absence. Back on track and ready to roll.

As I said above, I’m turning the tables on this Show and Tell Sunday and asking you instead of telling you something.  And this is what I want to know –

Do you belong to a support group for artists?

If yes, good for you.  Would you like to share your information?

If not, have you considered starting one?

I am a one of the founding members of BRAVA, a group that has been meeting for 14 years now. We meet on the last Friday of each month to discuss our latest work, upcoming shows, and in general support each other on this often lonely path of being an artist.

What a WONDERFUL thing that we do for each other!

I highly recommend all artists belong to such a group. And if you can’t find one, make one.

It’s easy, really. Especially now with the help of social media. In fact, you might end up with too many potential members, so be picky. Don’t accept everybody or nobody will benefit.

There are as many different ways to go about forming a group as there are individuals doing the forming. And all groups are valid; just make sure you are surrounded by like minded people in order to get the most benefit out of it. Let’s face it; you are taking time away from actually making art, so use your time well.

Here are a few things I think are important to consider as you are in the planning stages of forming your potential group:

• Do you want to show together?
• Do you just want to have fun and be social or grow your art?
• Do you want constructive criticism? (This sounds great, but many people don’t deal well with any criticism, no matter how it will benefit them.)
• Can you devote half a day once a month to participate in the group? (Life does get in the way, so consider your other obligations before committing to a group. If you aren’t devoted, you aren’t a positive contributor to the group.)
• All women? All men? Or a mixed group?
• Large group? Small group?
• Everybody shares work at each meeting? Or only a few members are featured at each meeting?
• Mornings, evenings, or weekends?
• Meetings rotate from home to home? Or held in a restaurant or library?
• Etc., etc., etc.

Much depends on how many members, and again, all the above are valid variations, just tailor the meetings to fit the group in general. It might take some tweaking along the way, but there are always growing pains, yes? Keep with it and I think you’ll be thrilled with how a group can help you along your artistic path.

Good luck to you and let us know how it goes.