So, for the past week I've been pondering exactly what the role of competition is in developing my skills and creativity. All sorts of musings interrupt my typically logical approach: what if I get a ribbon will that stifle my striving to get better what if the judge doesn't recognize my approach (contemporary) because s/he's a traditionalist what if what if what if.
Ah, I know! I should go back to my usual show-off position and pick the ones I think will thrill the audience. It's all about audience. Yeah, that's logical.
2 comments:
i like the "it's all about the audience" approach. i've wanted to explore that approach in writing, but the problem is that your audience remains limited if you're not in the spotlight. while i get a lot of joy out of sharing with the 4 people that read my blog, winning contests, getting published, etc but you in front of a larger audience. what if you have to jump through some hoops (sell out) before you can be yourself? do the ends justify the means?
Sell out, eh? How about just SELL! If we look at good ol' Will (Shakespeare, that is) and notice that he always considered his audience in his effort to sell his product (those fabulously pertinent plays), cannot we emulate that? He certainly makes the ends attractive to me, even if his enduring fame and glory in our present didn't pay bills in his time--close enough. He ate, had shelter, had friends and foes, and was popular enough to keep going, to keep writing. When will we know if our approach to writing--or designing quilts--deserves a few hoops. Make 'em large and flaming and at least it will be fun.
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