Comments on: Don’t Hold Back Your Art

By: Ron Dawson

Ron Dawson — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:30:47 +0000

In reply to David Cearley (@hdctx). That's a great story David. Thanks for sharing. Ahhh. Fodder for another blog post. ;)

By: David Cearley (@hdctx)

David Cearley (@hdctx) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 06:08:32 +0000

Sorry, neglected to include the link, and a thoughtful quote.

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made . . . then how many other things are we missing as we rush through life?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/15/the-things-we-miss-a-viol_n_158188.html

By: David Cearley (@hdctx)

David Cearley (@hdctx) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 06:05:41 +0000

I’ve been thinking about this subject since church on Christmas Eve. During the service, our minister shared the video and story of Joshua Bell playing Bach on a Stradivarius, for an hour, in a Washington DC Metro station. Out of more than a thousand people that passed within a few feet, only six people stopped to listen for even a few minutes. People tossed $32 in his violin case. No one applauded when he finished. At church, the message was that few recognized the importance of Christ’s birth. In a secular vein, few recognize great art, or talent, or vision. There IS an audience, but you have to find it, reach out to it. The world will NOT beat a path to your door. Even JK Rowling was turned down by 27 different publishers. In the US, Scholastic was the only publisher willing to take a chance on Harry Potter.

I envy Creatives lucky enough to be surrounded by supportive families, friends, and co-workers. Most of us are surprisingly solitary in our pursuits.

By: Ron Dawson

Ron Dawson — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 04:00:46 +0000

In reply to Alan. I wouldn't worry too much about that. As I commented on my post explaining how and why I use satire, even the most cleverly written satirical pieces by satirical pros get take as "real". It's par for the course when writing satire.

By: Ron Dawson

Ron Dawson — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 03:59:30 +0000

In reply to Long T.. This is a good point Long. Anything I post is something I feel confident enough to know my client and other potential clients will love it. They are also projects I like myself, I just may not be thrilled to death over them. Or maybe I get into the comparison trap and start feeling like it's not as good as so and so's.

By: Long T.

Long T. — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 03:36:41 +0000

Although I agree with the fact that there will always be people out there who probably love my work, I personally wouldn’t post something if I’m not satisfied with it.

I just want every piece I post to best represent my personal taste. I think this will also allow my future clients to know what inspires me the most and what kind of work I truly enjoy doing.

By: Alan

Alan — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:02:18 +0000

In reply to Ron Dawson.

Man, Ron did you ever take it over that whole Citizen Kane thing. Satire is very hard to pull off effectively nowadays. I’ve written things that I thought were brilliantly satirical only to have people ask what happened, and if I was feeling alright.

Let’s not let humor die people. Keep being silly. Or, to quote the late [ 8-( ] Steve Jobs, “stay hungry, stay foolish.”

I couldn’t agree more.

ps: I stop being a perfectionist a few years ago. Why beat yourself to death, when you can accomplish 97% of what you set out for, still amaze the client AND have time leftover for the family. Perfection ain’t worth it.

By: Ash Starkey

Ash Starkey — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:31:07 +0000

Nice work Ron

By: Ron Dawson

Ron Dawson — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:23:15 +0000

In reply to Eric Temple. Ha. Let me check the category. Nope Eric. This is the real deal. ;)

By: Eric Temple

Eric Temple — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:13:09 +0000

By the way, I hope your article wasn’t satire… 🙂