Special Guest Article

This issue's Guest article comes courtesy of Robert Genn, accomplished Canadian Artist. We're pleased to bring you one of Robert's articles from his own Industry-recognized “Twice Weekly Letters of Insight and Inspiration”. We'll be regularly sharing some of Robert's wisdom and experience in upcoming A&CNet e-Zine Newsletters.

“Competence”

The feeling of competence is the first evidence of professionalism — that lovely space that comes when we can look at a job well done and can say that it fulfils or exceeds what was first envisioned. Professionalism is where we take ourselves seriously and are more likely to be taken seriously by others. It’s not won overnight. Competence through professionalism is a form of labor, but for us it’s a labor of love. If you wish yourself well you must teach yourself the habits to bring it along. Here are a few of what I’ve found to be the elements of competence:

Workman-like approach: A strange attitude to some — it’s boilerplate to others. A project might run like this: Assembly of reference material and ideas. Contemplation. Production of sketches. Contemplation. Preparation for the art event. Contemplation. Confident execution. Contemplation. Reparation. Final vetting. Delivery.

Respect for time: “Clock” is the secret device of many professionals. Time is not to be wasted or haphazardly dreamed into oblivion. Self-orchestrated deadlines are planned and met. Projects are neither under-timed nor are they dragged out. There’s the full and profound understanding that in the bigger picture the great life-project is ticking and ebbing.

Respect for space: The tools of the trade are ready and set to handedness and efficiency. Most everything is right to the artist’s own devising. The place and atmosphere is conducive to work — right down to your idiosyncratic and personal details — privacy, music, light, health, muse, etc.

There are of course other factors that lead to competence, and I’ll allude to these in future letters. Funnily, many of these seemingly minor ephemera are what makes our often frustrating profession a continual and unqualified joy.

P.S. “The artistic temperament is a disease which afflicts amateurs.” (G K Chesterton)

Editorial Comments:

We thank Robert for his letter contribution, and look forward to bringing more of his penmanship to our humble little e-Zine. If you would like to receive Robert Genn's Twice-Weekly service for artists, visit  http://www.painterskeys.com/

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Robert Genn, is recognized as one of Canada's most accomplished painters. While his work is well known internationally, and his subjects are universal (he has painted in many countries), he excels in portraying Canada. He is perhaps best known for his work on the West Coast and in the Rocky Mountains.

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