How long should your Art take you?
Seth Godin, an entrepreneur, author and speaker shares a great story about an author called Robert Caro in his book “The Practice.”
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Caro had quit his job as a reporter and begun writing his first major biography – “The Power Broker.”
He took a modest advance and moved his family to a tiny apartment. But, years later, the end didn’t seem in sight. In 1975, he wrote a poignant story for The New York Times describing his despair.
Then, he was given a key to a back room at the New York Public Library. Only eleven writers had keys, and each was given a desk to write.
One day, he looked up and found James Flexner – one of his idols – ask a question he’d come to dread – “How long have you been working on it?”
“Five years”
“Oh, that’s not so long. I’ve been working on my Washington for nine years.”
The next day, another of his idols said quietly – “Eleanor and Franklin took me seven.”
He could have jumped up and kissed them. In a couple of sentences, both men – his idols – had wiped away five years of doubt.
The lesson “Find your cohort. The generous ones.”
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Art takes more time than you expect, and whoever you admire or comparing yourself to is most likely taking just as long, if not longer to get there. They may well look a step or two ahead but have likely just been working on it for a little longer.
I’ve been working on mine, professionally for over 10 years and I still haven’t ironed out my ‘signature style.’
How about you?
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ForM is by far my favourite group exhibition of the year to visit and I am honoured to have been one of artists involved in it this year.
If you missed the exhibition, here’s a round up.