As artists, we shouldn’t be careless with our works. Somehow we dedicate ourselves and want to show the world we are something. At the end our work is our legacy. Here are things that differentiate us from the amateurs.
1. An amateur never sticks to schedule; a professional is always on time.
“There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who, with the help of their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into sun.”
—Pablo Picasso
An amateur artist only shows up when he feels like it. He doesn’t maintain a regular work ethic and is never consistent. But professionals put themselves to work on days they don’t feel like it. Whether they feel like it or not, they show up to work.
2. An amateur feels he is good enough; a professional knows he is never good enough.
“The artist is always beginning. Any work of art which is not a beginning, an invention, a discovery is of little worth.”
—Ezra Pound
While an amateur stagnates and becomes overconfident of his ability, a professional knows there is still a lot to learn and improve upon. Professionals empty themselves and want to get better at their craft and are never too proficient to accept corrections.
3. An amateur is in a hurry; a professional is always patient.
“Art doesn’t have to be pretty. It has to be meaningful.”
—Duane Hanson
An amateur wants to get the job done as quickly as possible. Sometimes this may mean they access seemingly shorter and unlawful routes to get them to their destination. But the professional knows that brilliance and excellence requires patience.
4. An amateur is easily distracted; a professional is focused on the goal.
“The whole culture is telling you to hurry, while the art tells you to take your time. Always listen to the art.”
—Junot Diaz
The professional wants to finish something and he will commit himself to completing a task before moving on to the next one. They are not distracted by doubters, negative talk or other exciting offers. They focus. But the amateur cannot finish one assignment before jumping to another one.
5. An amateur doesn’t connect; a professional connects.
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
—Thomas Merton
An amateur isolates himself from every other person within his network. He is arrogant and presumptuous and feels networking is not important. But the professional sees the need to network and connect with his peers to improve the quality of his art.
6. An amateur doesn’t take himself seriously; a professional sees his art as his reason for existence.
”When it is working, you completely go into another place, you’re tapping into things that are totally universal, completely beyond your ego and your own self. That’s what it’s all about.”
—Keith Haring
His art may be a hobby or simply a side thing. He doesn’t see it as a way to contribute to humanity and to existence. He is simply content with being known as a part-time artist. A professional breathes and lives his works. He cannot imagine doing any other thing or having another career.
7. An amateur believes in big outcomes; a professional doesn’t mind starting small.
“I am interested in art as a means of living a life; not as a means of making a living.”
—Robert Henri
An amateur wants quick gains and always believes he deserves more than he is getting. But a professional keeps on going regarding the outlook or prospects of his present commitment. He wants to get better and wants to offer the world something and it really is not about what the world has to offer him/her.
8. An amateur doesn’t pay attention to the detail; a professional is concerned about every detail.
”Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It’s a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got.”
—Steven Pressfield
An amateur wants to get the job done and doesn’t see how one piece of the artwork could make a difference. But the professional gives everything to a particular task and keeps on going to make sure the work shows his brilliance and class.
9. An amateur is concerned about what other people think; a professional is self aware.
“Art attracts us only by what it reveals of our most secret self.”
—Jean-Luc Godard
An amateur can’t really quantify his product. Rather the product quantifies him. He listens to critics and could be confused or dampened by their comments. The professional looks for self accomplishment first. He/she wants to feel validated from within rather than from the outer world.
10. An amateur waits for inspiration; a professional hunts for it.
“To draw, you must close your eyes and sing.”
—Pablo Picasso
An amateur is always waiting for everything to be perfect before he gets going. He complains that his “wow” moment is simply not coming often. The professional knows that inspiration exists everywhere. Because he is self aware, he knows how to tap into it.
Featured photo credit: http://www.flickr.com via flickr.com
