Comments on: Putting Yourself Out There – Demoing in Public

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 03:10:08 +0000

Jean, I love your story! Kids are wonderful with their innocent and full-on comments that happily flow over us if the words, if um, not too complimentary, easily forgiven. And I smiled at the woman’s comment – too bad the park wasn’t paying you for provided an added bonus for park-goers 😀

Interesting what you say about how our level of art-making experience can affect our feelings about painting in public. I certainly think that’s a valid point!

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 03:06:22 +0000

In reply to Julie Freeman.

Julie, thank you so much for sharing your own experience with demoing. And what a story it is! Great reminder that yes, people are there because they love your work, and want to see how you do it. And if they haven’t met you before, there’s that possibility as an added bonus!
And oh so right about what can happen when you put a thought, an intention, out to the universe. Yes indeedy!!

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 06:01:09 +0000

In reply to Marion Boddy-Evans. YES!! Marion, thank you for sharing this as I had thought of including that idea and then totally forgot. So yes! and thanks :-D

By: Julie Freeman

Julie Freeman — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 19:41:34 +0000

Hi Gail, I so enjoy your posts you have a wonderful way with words especially when talking about artwork and what you see. I can so relate to this post as someone who was petrified to stand up in class at school, I would get physically sick. I had never really spoken in public let alone demonstrate until about 4 years ago.
When I made the decision to do my art full time with the support of my husband who is still working, I was encouraged to teach to supplement the income. With his support and the positive confirmation from my life coach I put the thought out there. It is amazing how positive energy and thoughts can alter your life. Within the week I had emails from people asking me to do a talk and demo, and I had a student booked in for lessons. I had to dig deep and face the fear and after the first one you realise it wasn’t so bad and more importantly these people were coming to learn from you because they like your work. So I have to remember that every time I accept an offer, this is how I work it is not right or wrong and they are coming to see me because they respect my work. I am also humbled that I inspire others and this is also great motivation. I can also relate to the previous response that the level of fear can be different especially with artists whose work you look up to. 🙂

By: Marion Boddy-Evans

Marion Boddy-Evans — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 08:07:06 +0000

When we were discussing demo anxiety one time, friend said “remember everyone is willing you to succeed, not fail”.

By: Jean Sullivan

Jean Sullivan — Sun, 06 Dec 2020 21:50:19 +0000

A while back Paul and I took our art supplies to Artists Point on Mt Baker Washington and settled in for an afternoon of painting. Many people slowed down and tried to take a look but we were off the trail and most of them kept going. The ones who came closer to look were mostly kids. One of them said ‘Oh, it that supposed to be the mountain?’ , as he looked at my abstracted view of Mt Shuskan. The kids were great. The funniest comment came from a woman who asked, “Does the Park pay you guys to paint here?”

That was when I first started painting and I wasn’t really very nervous. I didn’t have high expectations for my art and so I wasn’t bothered about what others might think. It may be harder now, to paint in public. I expect more of my art. But it is still a whole lot easier to paint outdoors in public than it is to post a painting to a Website where other artists are the audience, or demo in a gallery. That’s when I start to have palpitations and ask ‘Do I really want to do this?’ 🙂

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Sun, 06 Dec 2020 21:39:20 +0000

In reply to Elaine Fritz.

Thanks so much for sharing your own first experience Elaine! And thank you for pointing out what I didn’t, that it makes a difference in our fear level depending who is in our audience – artists or non-artists. I’m glad you could talk yourself through your initial paralysis! Love too that you found your confidence as you worked, and also discovered the knowledge you had when it came to answering questions. And by sharing your journey through this, I hope it will inspire others to accept an invitation to demo. As you say, to non-artists especially, what we do really IS magic!!

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Sun, 06 Dec 2020 21:35:06 +0000

In reply to Elizabeth Spona.

Liz, you summed it up so well – connecting with people who are interested, safety in numbers, and ohhh those quiet watchers….!
And you knever know…. 🙂

By: Elaine Fritz

Elaine Fritz — Sun, 06 Dec 2020 20:39:08 +0000

Yes, I was asked to paint before a group of visitors in Punta Gorda, Florida when I was a fairly new member of an art organization. At first, I was paralyzed, but then remembered that I was a stranger there and, as such, had no reputation to uphold and, since few of those present were artists, they may think whatever I did looked fine to them. So, I relaxed – I may have stumbled when attempting to draw and talk at the same time but they didn’t seem to notice, they were so engrossed in watching what I was doing at the easel – to them it was like magic! And so, my fears were all in vain and my audience had intelligent questions to ask, believing I had the answers and, in most cases, I did. For the most part, fears are unnecessary – everyone loves to watch an artist at work.

By: Nancy Malard

Nancy Malard — Sun, 06 Dec 2020 13:54:44 +0000

In reply to Gail Sibley. Well, Gail, I do share your belief. :)))