I was sweeping up my studio a couple of days ago and to be honest, not in the greatest frame of mind about it. Thoughts like, “I’ve told him so many times to take off his shoes before coming in.” Or, “If it weren’t for this I’d already be painting right now.”
Those thoughts were not helping the situation or getting the chores done any faster. In fact, they were making me feel, bad. It wasn’t the sweeping up or the tasks at hand that had me down but my thoughts about them. This scenario was not reflecting well on my supposed evolved level of maturity. “Cleaning up my family’s messes brings out the worst in me,” I thought.
It occurred to me to play a little game. Instead of thinking “this brings out the worst in me”, I changed the thought to: “this brings out the best in me.” After changing that thought, I could see how the new thought was also true. The best was coming out of me. I was able to notice how the frustration coming from my ego (needing things to be a certain way) was not serving me. My body relaxed, a smile came through, and I put on some old records. I proceeded to enjoy the music and the act of cleaning and organizing. I didn’t paint until much later but I did paint and the studio felt better than ever.
I realize I’ve had a similar block with art marketing. There is something so anti-art about it for me. I’m a peace-loving person but there is also a rebel side to me. At times I find the self-promotional aspect of social media so lame. Yet, independent artists and small businesses use it to survive. I'm sure my conditioning conjures up what “real” artists are like. You now the ones. They are starving in the east village in a rent controlled apartment. Or living on an exotic island in some distant land and not using social media!
Seriously. It is staggering the sheer number of posts made by mega successful artists on Instagram. In a recent NYT article (thanks for sharing with me Kayte VanScoy). An Instagram executive reached out to a popular, young Instagram artist. He recommended the following to increase her audience:
~ 4-7 reels a week.
~ 3 photos or videos a week.
~ 8-10 stories a week (preferably twice a day).
~ 1-3 longer videos to Instagram TV a week.
*And he said, “consistency is key.”
There is absolutely no way I will be churning out that kind of presence on Instagram. But I am willing to be more present with myself when resistance to sharing arises.
So, let’s say I try to turn around my thinking about Instagram marketing in particular. Take away the dread. If my previous thoughts were, “Art marketing is so lame and narcissistic. How will I be able to dedicate myself to painting AND make time to promote the art?”
Change: “Art marketing can be an extension of my art and sharing art spreads joy to others. I can dedicate myself to painting AND find a way to market the work that inspires me.”
And the truth is, I know I can do it. I know, because when I changed my thinking the dread turned to challenge. And then the challenge turned to enthusiasm. This is not an overnight transformation, of course. And there is no way I will post what the executive recommended. But, I can use social media as a tool for both business and personal transformation. Always, noticing what causes discomfort and then try to transform it. And if something still doesn't feel right? I won't do it.
Art marketing as a spiritual practice. Who knew?!
~ Kim
