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Robert Genn as art coach….

I am one (of a bazillion) of the folks who receive a bi-weekly e-mail from artist Robert Genn. Some of the letters are gems, and I really liked this one, so asked and received permission to share it here. I guess I liked it because what he suggests is similar to how I approach things. Here’s the letter:

Personal coach

September 28, 2007

Dear Sarah,

My friend Ralph, who doesn’t mind me talking about this, is way
out of shape. His personal coach, Alberto, is a ladder-chested
ex-lightweight boxer with blinding white teeth and lots of
hair. Alberto comes over to Ralph’s twice a week. Sometimes
they work out on Ralph’s expensive equipment. At other times
Alberto drives him in his beemer to an upscale gym. Personally,
I’d say Ralph’s still the same. Maybe not. Maybe he’s bigger.

“Tennis players got ’em, why not you?” Ralph says. He’d like me
to book Alberto, but Alberto’s booked solid, just one of many
solidly-booked Albertos around here.

It’s no surprise when people ask me to be their personal coach.
It happened again only yesterday. The lady was talking art, not
abs. Come to think of it, a lot of us buffs are in demand. So I
was thinking of all the inefficiency and disappointment that
must ride on Ralph and Alberto’s contract. And while I sort of
like the idea of tailored guidance, I rather wanted to offer a
more general workout. A sort of “Jenny Craig Success Course of
the Arts.” Mine’s free. Here it is:

Find a sanctuary where you can comfortably work.
Dedicate at least two hours a day to your art.
Have more than enough equipment and supplies.
Set short- and long-term goals and keep track of progress.
Think of your work as exercise, not championship play.
Explore series development and exhaust personal themes.
Work alone with the benefit of books and perhaps tapes.
Replace passive consumption with creative production.
Use your own intuition and master your technology.
Feel the joy of personal, self-generated sweat.
Fall in love with your own working processes.
Be forever on the lookout for the advent of style.
Try to be your own person and claim your rights.
Don’t bother setting yourself up for rejection.
Don’t swing too wildly and damage the well-being of others.
Don’t jump into the ring until you’re feeling fit.

If you can stick with this regimen for a couple of months, I
can pretty well guarantee your progress. If not, then at least
the exercise will let you know the job’s not for you. We all
have the potential to be slim, barrel-chested, rich, satisfied
or evolved.

Best regards,

Robert

PS: “……Yes, please go ahead and forward this letter to a friend.

If you think a friend or fellow artist may find value in this
material, please feel free to forward it. This does not mean
that they will automatically be subscribed to the Twice-Weekly
Letter. They have to do it voluntarily and can find out about
it by going to http://www.painterskeys.com

One Response to “Robert Genn as art coach….”

  1. Cathy in NE PA Says:

    Sarah, just today I printed out that list. It’s sitting next to the stack of Inspiration Cards from Alyson Stansfield.

    BTW I’m glad to read (die-hard lurker that I am) that Your Guys and your four-footed Smiths are doing well. Wish I could take your class in Paducah next spring, but it looks like I’ll make it to IQF/Chicago instead.

    And it’s all Marie’s fault.
    Best regards,
    Cathy in NE PA