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Advice. I like to think of myself as consistent. But, apparently I am not when it comes to advice.  You may have noticed that my articles rarely, if ever, offer advice. I have actually sidestepped the main purpose of most blogs: to offer the reader advice.  

Something deep within me balks at acting as an advisor or expert.  Perhaps it started when I was a graduate student in a counseling program. I was taught that advice is toxic. Over the years, philosophically and pragmatically, I have come to believe that unsolicited advice is not beneficial.  I am not an authority. Unsolicited advice is disrespectful. People learn as they need to. A person who is receptive to help will seek it. Advice can turn sour, resulting in guilt and blame. Etc.

And yet…I tend to glob onto blogs that give advice.  Why? I don't know.  And that's the reason: I don't know.  Since I don't know a lot about art marketing, I read about how to sell paintings, social media, gallery protocol.  Since I am interested in oil painting, I read about how to mix colors, how to select good products, etc. And on and on.  I run into blogs that tell artists what to do if their feelings are hurt by rejection.  I do not read those articles.  Everyone knows that when our feelings are hurt we cry, stuff it, go into a deep depression, or take it out on someone.  

I am especially attracted to inspirational articles…not those riddled with religion, cliches or sentimentality. I seek advice from articles that are original, startling, informative, and wise. I save those articles in my Inspiration file. In reviewing these articles, I found some tidbits, soundbites, and bits of advice to share.  Oh no!

• It takes at least 3 glasses of wine to complete a painting.  …RL Weber (I might try this)
• Creativity is about making links between things. This happens best when there aren’t other thoughts present to distract the brain from doing its work…Alex Mathers
• In my opinion, museum quality work is work that talks about contemporary issues, yet is timeless. The work should be contemporary through its content, technique, and material….Clara Li
• Notan may be an unfamiliar term to you, but you will find that practicing and using it will help you achieve balance, unity, rhythm and movement (principles of design) in your paintings. Notan is a Japanese design concept involving the placement and balance of light and dark in an image…Lisa Marder 
• Books, classes, and workshops are great as long as they don’t prevent you from actually creating your art...”Skinny Artist”
• Thou shalt not:  Repeat certain subject matter. Flowers with a bug, landscapes with a deer, barns, still lifes painted at eye level, portraits done like Rembrandt or any other master, and etc. These subjects have been done so many times, they have become dull and dreary…Judy Balance
• Stop the painting before you think you should….Sara Genn
• According to research published in the journal, Frontiers in Neuroscience, people who exercise regularly are better at creative thinking. (I’m working on this)
• The power of authenticity should not be underestimated and it's at your disposal….John P. Weiss 

I am just sharing…no advice from me!