Comments on: If You Were a Real Artist, You Wouldn’t Need a Blog

By: Christy

Christy — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:39:45 +0000

Wow, Christine! I am the mom, wife and business owner you described in the video interview who never goes to clubs but Googled and found you by accident. Lucky me!! I feel so connected to your blogs and your music. Thank you for writing so selflessly (and so funny!). It has been very enlightening to read your thoughts. By the way, I think you look so much like Renee Russo!

By: Christine Kane

Christine Kane — Tue, 27 May 2008 02:17:15 +0000

Thanks for all of these amazing comments, everyone! (Jannie – I look not at all like Shawn – but thanks for that compliment!) It’s great to read everyone’s take on the work of the artist – and the many degrees of success and connection out there.

By: diana christine

diana christine — Mon, 26 May 2008 12:34:18 +0000

Oh my goodness, that’s one of the funniest things I’ve ever heard. Not telling anyone about your art is a bit like hiding your light under a bushel. Our spirit calls us to do the work we do (the art) as much as calls us to do what we need to do to share it. Some people have the gift of the art but carry not the courage to market it, and they have some growing to do. Our best efforts are to create the art, do all we can to market it, and remain detached from the outcome, leaving the final results in the hands of the Universe. Your blog, though…I’ve always felt your blog is much more of a gift, a connection and a communication with your audience, rather than a marketing effort. And I thank you for so beautiful a gift.

By: Jannie Sue

Jannie Sue — Sun, 25 May 2008 21:42:33 +0000

Nowhere related to this post, but you totally look like Shawn Colvin in the thumbnails of your CD covers.

Cute!

By: Chris Cree

Chris Cree — Sun, 25 May 2008 18:09:19 +0000

Many “real” artists don’t market their art effectively. History is full of artists who died paupers only to have their art discovered and become valuable after their deaths.

Effective marketing is simply a way to connect the artist with people who are willing to pay for their art. A blog is simply a tool that can help accomplish that.

Now if an artist happens to have people clamoring for their art already then they have no need for marking, or blogs. Or if they aren’t interested in money then they can just wait until they leave this life for their work to potentially become popular.

By: Petra

Petra — Sat, 24 May 2008 21:58:29 +0000

I simply don’t understand why blogging ISN’T considered “artistic”. Seems that we (general society, not Christine’s readers) have a very narrow definition of what constitutes the arts, namely music, painting, sculpting, writing, acting, photography, and dancing, but only in traditional media. Even performance art is viewed by many with suspicion, if not outright disdain!

By: tre

tre — Sat, 24 May 2008 15:41:29 +0000

I chuckled at this. reminded me of being in college and hearing ’so what are you gonna do when you get out in the real world.’

and then i think of your song ‘the real world’….

defining ‘real’ is individual…
but i truly think you are right on in your interview when you say that today there’s a different tone/pull and a lot of ‘neil young’ types….

we don’t listen to music the same way we did 40 years ago….

the fact that you’re embracing multiple avenues to express the art of your being suggests to me what is a natural inclination of the times…to have a presence in all arenas through which people communicate and share ideas…..

great interview…tell the story of how that evolved…:)

hugs, tre

By: Judy

Judy — Sat, 24 May 2008 04:28:28 +0000

I started out making art as a kid, but went into business as an adult….and finally got back to making art. They are so intertwined into who I am I guess I can’t fully peel them away from one another. But, I think part of being an artist is to make your work public. To have other people engage with your work. To love it. To hate it. To respond in some way. I think it adds another element of life to a piece when it goes out into the world, and it is the scary part of some artists because they are no longer in control. The same thing with blogging. It is scary because if we are authentic we are risking the negative with the positive. But, when we make our work public we are opening ourselves up to huge growth as an artist and as a person. The same with blogging. Much like you described in the video. So, how much of the dismissal of blogging is about fear of the unknown?

By: Caryn

Caryn — Sat, 24 May 2008 04:11:22 +0000

I don’t think anyone *needs* a blog except, perhaps, someone who makes money from blogging. But having a blog is a great outlet, and it can also provide a little publicity. If it doesn’t take away from your art and you don’t present you in a negative light, then it can be an asset — or, at the very least, it can’t hurt.

By: Julie

Julie — Sat, 24 May 2008 02:20:43 +0000

Hi Christine,
Loved the entry.

I might just have a little different spin on this. Artist or not, don’t we all market ourselves? In all reality what is marketing other than a presentation to make something more appealing? To hit your target audience. That audience might be potential fans, readers or the other people that might vote for you in a neighborhood association. They are all touched by marketing.

So when someone can ask if a “real” artist should have a blog, then perhaps the question should be countered with , what “real” person shouldn’t.

Have a great one!!