10 Things Artists Should Be Thankful For
“Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind. ” Lionel Hampton
By the time most artists come to see me, they are usually beaten down and depressed by the struggles of the artworld. They have been abused by their galleries, taken for granted by their collectors, misunderstood by their families and exhausted from juggling real life with creative need. It is so easy to forget how special you are, when there is no one around to remind you, but you. So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I give you my list of 10 Things Artists Should Be Thankful For. Print this out, fold it up and put in your wallet. Send it to your artist friends. Read it whenever you feel all your work is for nothing and you are thinking maybe you should just stop making art and grow up. Post it in your studio when you are wondering what the heck you are going to do with all this work? But, most of all…believe it. Remember, it is impossible to feel thankful and be depressed at the same time.
1. I am thankful that I am not one of the majority of people in this world that wakes up every morning, goes to a job they hate, just to come home and do it all over again.
2. I am thankful that when I am away from my studio, my ideas come with me, they keep me company everywhere I go.
3. I am thankful for this passion that gives me so much joy (and angst) but mostly joy.
4. I am thankful that when I have left this earth, I will leave something meaningful behind.
5. I am thankful that I have a mind that can not sleep, I will never be bored.
6. I am thankful that there is a part of my life that nobody can control, except me.
7. I am thankful that no one in the world can ever take this gift from me.
8. I am thankful that I am brave, it takes courage to pursue my gift.
9. I am thankful that I am never satisfied, it forces me to move forward and grow.
10. I am thankful I discovered this list! Pass it on.
Fiona Pattinson said:
Sep 22, 11 at 12:35 amDear Sylvia – You just GET it and for me, your timing is always spot on!!!
reuven dattner said:
Sep 22, 11 at 1:46 amallways good to be reminded of the upside of being an artist.
we are preparing for the new year-so its the right time to see the bright side of life
shana tova
aNna rybaT said:
Sep 22, 11 at 8:24 amLovE tHis!!!! thank you for the reminder! (i needed that!)
Naomi Schlinke said:
Sep 22, 11 at 8:29 amI’m going to post this in my studio! Thank you. My Dad, who also painted, once said to me, “Oh, isn’t it wonderful to be so obsessed!”
Brenda Mercado said:
Sep 22, 11 at 8:35 amThank you, Sylvia. Your words are much appreciated. I have a garage full of paintings and need to get out! Maybe, it is time to make an appointment with you soonish? Take care, Brenda
Sherrie Phillips said:
Sep 22, 11 at 8:43 amI was just giving myself this pep talk this morning. I have recently transitioned from a corporate job to painting at home. I have traveled all summer and am finally living the life of my dreams but something in my consciousness hasn’t quite caught up with all the changes. Sometimes I still wake up with that heavy feeling that I had before schlepping to the old job. But I was listing the things to be grateful for (most of them on your list) and saying that it is ok to be patient with myself as I transition. Thanks for the confirmation!
Carlos Grasso said:
Sep 22, 11 at 8:45 amAnd I am thankful that people like Sylvia roam the surface of this Earth with an unrelenting spirit of service to the Art Community at large.
The best prescriptions for a healthy and inspiring attitude towards one’s creativity.
Incredibly inspiring…
Thanks.
CG
Christa Frazee said:
Sep 22, 11 at 8:56 amThank you, Sylvia…this is a fantastic and positive approach for us crazy, (but beautiful) minded people! I most definitely will print this out and pass it along.
Sandra Grotsky - Visions Photography said:
Sep 22, 11 at 9:02 amThank you for sharing your uplifting thoughts. My housemate asks of every photo I take – so what are you going to do with this? Can you sell it? Some people just don’t get it. I MUST create. Your words are a reminder that who I am is okay.
Tiffanee Griffiths said:
Sep 22, 11 at 9:06 amThank you SO much Sylvia… i really needed that. Made me cry
11. I am thankful for Sylvia and all her “advice”
Carla Christina Contreras said:
Sep 22, 11 at 9:23 amTears……………. I do think about this all the time, thank you for putting it in black and white!
Elise said:
Sep 22, 11 at 10:02 amTalk about timing!
This week I have been down. Yesterday I swear, I felt like I was shrinking instead of growing.
Thank you for sharing your insight and wisdom. But mostly, thank you for the encouragement!
It is time to get up and do some growing! 
Elise.
Erick Sanchez said:
Sep 23, 11 at 9:29 amLove it! Thank you.
Sarah bines said:
Sep 23, 11 at 7:10 pmAmen
philippe jestin said:
Oct 01, 11 at 10:17 pmthank you for this list and what you do, art, life with grace and joy , it is time to occupy….and fullfill
philippe jestin said:
Oct 01, 11 at 10:20 pmI also like the 10 principles to improve drawing and be a good artist by Robert Crumb
Josie Taglienti said:
Oct 01, 11 at 10:36 pmThank you, Sylvia, for composing this thoughtful list for us.
It is greatly appreciated, most uplifting and true.
josie
Ben Stroud said:
Oct 01, 11 at 11:11 pmThat was nice..Before reading this later in the day I had said a morning prayer in thanks for my Artist life- dissapointing though it may be at times..
Jon Nelson said:
Oct 02, 11 at 12:01 amThank you so much for this. I was in this place where I gave up on my art recently. I believe that taking breaks on art is healthy. I have been inspired by you and John for all of your dedication to us artists. I started to draw and it drove me back to painting. I am excited to create again. Thank you.
Jon Nelson
Mike Absalom said:
Oct 02, 11 at 4:02 amToo true!! I decided upon this in 1961…and have worked 16 hours a day seven days a week in order never to do a day’s work since!! Mike Absalom
Jakki said:
Oct 02, 11 at 4:31 amPerfect timing for me to read this, wonderful post. Thank you!
Evelina Craven said:
Oct 02, 11 at 4:48 amGreat article, exactly what I think and believe all artists should fell and be thankful for.
Thanks too for sending this to me,
Evelina
Aryn Chapman said:
Oct 02, 11 at 4:55 amThank you.. I needed this today, of all days.
I just took down a solo show in Chelsea and have a studio filled with works wrapped in bubble wrap that I am not at all sure where I am going to store.. so it is good to be reminded to be grateful. Thank you.
Ashley Ernest said:
Oct 02, 11 at 6:12 ami love this!
David Brady said:
Oct 02, 11 at 7:06 amSilvia,
This list arrived at the perfect time…yes it is a difficult time for many artist’s as well as others. Yes, being an artist continues to be a struggle of being misunderstood, questioned and often simply laughed at.
Yesterday I said goodbye to a dear friend that years ago brought me into the art world by hiring me to work in an art gallery (something I had no business doing or qualifications). yet he took me in and since then my life has never been the same. His life ended and I was left to reflect on this and how grateful I am to have continued on now as an artist.
I am so thankful that I have continued to have the support of so many friends throughout my growth, successes and failures. Art is truly a religion for some and a soothing beautiful flower for others. Most of all I am blessed to be an artist.
Thank you for the list and continued success with the gallery.
Brady
Randal said:
Oct 02, 11 at 7:17 amGreat list!
Thomas Bigatel said:
Oct 02, 11 at 7:29 amThank you for the list. It affirms everything I believe to be true for myself as an artist.
Karen Banker said:
Oct 02, 11 at 7:38 amThank you. Your list is a great reminder of so much.
Catherine Ann said:
Oct 02, 11 at 8:55 amThank you so much for these 10 wonderful, meaningful tips! I was inspired by them, will print and hang it on my frig.
The best ‘Food for Thought!’
Catherine Ann Esquivel (Artist)
Ngabre Pitts-Kahu said:
Oct 02, 11 at 9:22 amHappy Thanksgiving Sylvia…I’m thankful for this great list! And
for your great insights into the heart and minds of artist and for all the great work you do!
Please take a look at my work on http://www.youtube.com/ngabrepitts...
Peace and Love,
Gabre
Roger Lee said:
Oct 02, 11 at 9:52 amThanks Sylvia.
Karen Stubert Barnard said:
Oct 02, 11 at 9:56 amDear Sylvia,
Never have so few words meant so much to me. I am going to print this list out and read it every day to remind myself how lucky I am.
Thank you for all you do for artists and our community!
Sincerely,
Karen Barnard
Gary Raymond said:
Oct 02, 11 at 10:51 amHi Sylvia and John,
What a nice thought. It does help to recalibrate. Thanks for sending this out and the best to you and John.
Fondest regards,
Gary
Laura Lynch said:
Oct 02, 11 at 12:33 pmthank you sylvia! great list! good to be reminded! peace out, laura.
Roe Anne said:
Oct 02, 11 at 6:25 pmThanks, Slyvia, for the remindeer. Always good to keep those thoughts in the forefront. I wanted to share this with others but the “share this post” connection can’t be made here or on some of the other things I hoped to share from your site. Not sure if it’s my end or your end but thought you’d want to check.
Cheers,
Roe Anne
Marilyn Noad said:
Oct 02, 11 at 6:51 pmI was at a dinner party once and an artist had been singing the blues about his life. Why do we do it he asked. I answered immediately before thinking too much…. because we can and was rewarded with a lovely dawning sort of smile.
Susan Moss said:
Oct 02, 11 at 7:44 pmI am thankful I can see. Many people are blind and do not have this wonderful gift.
I am thankful I inherited so many talents. Few people have the rich mine of golden talents my family passed on to me.
I am thankful I can work every day. I love my work and it is as necessary to me as breathing, eating, or sleeping.
I am thankful for the dealers I have had who believed in me enough to show my work and to sell it. Whether they stuck with me or not.
I am thankful for friends and family that I have, some have always supported me. Some didn’t. My mother always believed in me and I am thankful I had her in my life until I was 67.
Ann Lutz said:
Oct 02, 11 at 7:45 pmI really enjoyed that list. It is a great reminder of all of the things we need to be thankful for each day of our lives. Thanks for sharing it.
P. Lyn Middleton said:
Oct 03, 11 at 8:51 amHi, i love your idea and gesture re gratefulness. wonderful.
however, i suggest that instead of the word “should”in your title that you use “could” instead. Feels much brighter or just say “10 Things to be Grateful for as an Artist”. or something like that.
thank you.
Tracy Sweet said:
Oct 03, 11 at 12:32 pmYou certainly are “spot on!”
I would add #11. I am thankful that you have such a real understanding of artists and what we feel and that you have articulated it so well.
Thank you,
Tracy Sweet
Tracy Sweet said:
Oct 03, 11 at 12:35 pmThanks for your understanding of artists.
Barbie Hooper said:
Oct 03, 11 at 8:37 pmThanks Sylvia, this is one of the best motivation pieces of writing I have seen for a while. It is perfect for me at this time and I will definitely pass it on.
Compliments
Barbie
Kit Boise-Cossart said:
Oct 04, 11 at 9:05 amSW,
Thanks. Nice touch. Art is a fuel that lights up our lives. Thanks for providing a match.
Kit
RL Barton said:
Oct 04, 11 at 12:03 pmThanks, could not agree more with this list…. Thank you!
Judith Gait said:
Oct 05, 11 at 7:00 amYes Sylvia it is very good to be thankful and to remind ourselves and others to be thankful. Perhaps another thing to add to the list would be the gratitude from art students for whom learning about art and drawing have brought health benefits.
Pam said:
Oct 05, 11 at 3:15 pmOh how true this is. I am so thankful that one of my fiber artist friends thought enough of me to share this list with me. I will also be passing this on to other artist and creative friends. Pam
Heather said:
Oct 06, 11 at 3:26 pmNice list of things to remember when hating ones day job,,,thanks.
Kathy Leib said:
Oct 07, 11 at 3:03 pmThank you so much….feeling a bit downtrodden today and tearful this morning when I looked at high end gallery requirements….felt like chucking in the towel… My friend Jill Pabich sent me here and said your workshop was invaluable to her.
Thank you for chinning me up!
Sincerely,
Kathy Leib
Frances Bourne said:
Oct 08, 11 at 6:24 pmI am thankful that I can be thankful!
Kristina said:
Oct 08, 11 at 11:37 pmHi Sylvia, thanks for making this, makes me feel so much better, I’m 15 and an artist myself, and because of living in 3rd world country my parents were never able to buy me fancy drawing materials or tablets, right now I just draw the best I can on paper and take a picture w/ my cell. I see many artist’s online that I praise, and I always set the bar too high for myself so that I can achieve more, my work is good(you could even say great) because I’m a little bit of a perfectionist, I just don’t have the tools, but other people online who make lousy and badly made art infuriates me because they dare call themselves artist just because they have the tool that I don’t have and it’s unfair because they get all the attention and they call themselves artists? But I know w/ hard work and a-little more effort I’ll slowly and surely I’ll be known too, I know those people they won’t carry art throughout their life, they’ll forget about it when they’re passion drops, but I will carry out art for the rest of my life and maybe make a living out of it, that’s my hope. Thank you for giving me inspiration.
Judith Szabó said:
Nov 24, 11 at 4:13 amTHANK YOU!!! Just what I needed!
mary wise said:
Dec 04, 11 at 4:00 pmI still amazes me that we can take something from the brain, move our hands, and stand in awe what appears…
Kathleen said:
Dec 07, 11 at 5:18 pmThank you for the wonderful list.
Carole mcpadden said:
Dec 31, 11 at 4:20 pmThank you for reminding me of what I don’t remember often enough but know in my heart is truth.