LYNN GOLDSTEIN FINE ART
lynn@lynngoldstein.com
  • Home
  • All Available Art
    • Newest Art
    • Vibrant Landscapes
    • Installation Art
  • About
    • Studio
    • Resume
    • Press/Media
  • Workshops / Classes
    • Your Art, Only Better (Critique)
    • Build Color Confidence-Online Course
    • Hidden Gems—Online Course
    • Supply Lists
  • Subscribe
  • Home
  • All Available Art
    • Newest Art
    • Vibrant Landscapes
    • Installation Art
  • About
    • Studio
    • Resume
    • Press/Media
  • Workshops / Classes
    • Your Art, Only Better (Critique)
    • Build Color Confidence-Online Course
    • Hidden Gems—Online Course
    • Supply Lists
  • Subscribe

Commitment versus Completion

22 Comments

 
Picture
Look Closer, Pastel, Acrylic, Watercolor, 24 x 24 inches, ©Lynn Goldstein, $1500 Included in PSA Exhibition 2016
I got an email the other day that discussed commitment versus completion. I’ve been thinking about this idea of commitment and completion being different ever since I received that email. The writer clearly felt  that completion and commitment didn't work hand-in-hand. Having thought about this, I believe that completion is just a step that we take toward commitment. In other words, one completes chores or assignments in order to reach a goal. That's one way to show commitment to something. 
 
You see, I love completing tasks. I make to-do lists as long as my arm. I enjoy checking off what I have done. When I make a list, I am committed to completing what I have written. Making that list helps me to ascertain what is really important to me to finish, which adds up to commitment to a larger goal. 


Now, sometimes those chores have nothing to do with my passions (the things I am committed to doing)  For example, laundry often lands on the list.  That’s not really a commitment except to maybe living my life cleanly.

Anyway, one of the things that I am certainly committed to is improving my artwork and always doing the best that I can when creating. After working hard, I want that effort to be recognized. So, I have for many, many years worked toward having my artwork respected within the pastel world in which I was living.  For those who know me, you know I have branched out into other media, but I digress.

I had a goal, and the goal was to be awarded the coveted Pastel Society of America (PSA) signature membership. You see, I have tried to get that designation for over 15 years. Needless to say, this was a goal that I had for the long haul, and that, my friends, is a commitment.

Why was it so important for me to get the signature membership from PSA? At this point, I’m not sure. I certainly don’t like to think of myself as someone who needs to have validation from others so badly. Some of the artists I most admire are those that bucked the trends. Think of Gustave Klimpt, Van Gogh, Louise Bourgeois, Emily Carr, or any one of the Impressionists, and you get the idea.

Maybe I did need it for validation. I certainly felt that it was helpful with regard to my teaching as so many of the teachers that I admire have signature status.

So, over the years, I kind of forgot why I really wanted it, and instead just kept working toward it. The goal became almost like my “White Whale.” I tried to gain signature status through the membership jurying process no less than 3 times. Thwarted every time. Curses!

After getting some much-needed advice, I decided that my best course of action was to enter the annual exhibitions. These exhibitions are exceptionally competitive. To give you an idea, there are generally over a thousand entries and only around 180 are accepted. Felt like a long shot. You see, as an associate member (which was no easy task either),  you are awarded signature membership if you are accepted into the annual exhibition three times, and it doesn’t matter how long that takes.


Just so you know, it took me 4 years, and I finally, FINALLY have my signature membership. 

Commitment paid off, but so did completion. Without completing what I did, with commitment, I would never have reached my goal.

Thanks for coming along on this ride with me. Do you agree? Do completion and commitment go hand-in-hand? What milestone did you reach by completing tasks to a bigger goal? Let me know in the comments below. 
Picture
Layered Individualism, Pastel, Acrylic, Watercolor, 16 x 40 inches, ©Lynn Goldstein Sold
Included in PSA show in 2014 and was selected for an award

22 Comments
Alyson B Stanfield link
8/1/2018 11:17:56 am

Of course they go together! This is a great post and I can't wait to share. Congratulations, Lynn!

Reply
Lynn Goldstein link
8/2/2018 12:18:50 pm

Thanks so much for the share and for the compliment on my post. You have helped me to become a better artist through your thought-provoking guidance. I am grateful beyond measure.

Reply
Susan Woodward link
8/1/2018 12:19:50 pm

Congratulations, Lynn! What a wonderful article - kudos to you for sticking it out!

Reply
Lynn Goldstein link
8/2/2018 12:19:49 pm

Thanks so much for reading and for your kind comments, Susan. It was a slog to be sure!!

Reply
Lina Ferrara link
8/1/2018 12:29:31 pm

Congratulations to you! What an inspiration you are! I’ve been feeling the same way about signature status. Thank you for inspiring me to recommit to my goal.

Reply
Lynn Goldstein link
8/2/2018 12:20:36 pm

Oh, what a lovely thing to say. Thank you. Go for it! I will cheer you on.

Reply
Jessica
8/1/2018 12:50:42 pm

Congrats! Happy that you have achieved this goal! You deserve it!

Reply
Lynn Goldstein link
8/2/2018 12:21:10 pm

Thanks Jessica! You are a sweetheart. Thanks for reading too. : )

Reply
Elizabeth Anderson link
8/1/2018 02:42:23 pm

Congratulations, Lynn! I'm new to your blog and I arrived in time to celebrate with you. Your post is tmely for me. This month I apply for membership in the Federation of Canadian Artists after shying away for a few years. It also is a long process and I wondered whether it was worth it or if I was worth it. It takes two years as a member before you can apply for associate membership. I think these long term commitments gives meaning to "life is a journey not a destination".

Reply
Lynn Goldstein link
8/2/2018 12:23:43 pm

Thanks so much for reading and for the congratulations, Elizabeth. I wish you all the success in reaching your goal. Incidentally, I just returned from visiting Canada, and your country is spectacular. Every time I visit our neighbors to the north, I am not disappointed. Yes, life is a journey, thank goodness!

Reply
Simonne Roy link
8/1/2018 03:07:01 pm

Congratulations Lynn!!!! This is well deserved validation.

Reply
Lynn Goldstein link
8/2/2018 12:24:44 pm

Thanks for reading and for the congrats, Simonne. I see that you have been braving heat to get some plein air work in France. I am loving following your journey! Sending a hug across the pond.

Reply
Patrice Burkhardt link
8/1/2018 04:38:39 pm

I see Commitment and Completion as being Siamese twins.

Reply
Lynn Goldstein link
8/2/2018 12:25:14 pm

I LOVE this! Read it and it made me smile. Thanks for reading my post.

Reply
Patricia Raible link
8/2/2018 09:03:26 am

I enjoyed your post, but the artwork, just WOW! My thing with artwork is that I want simple and complex at the same time. You have certainly succeeded.

Reply
Lynn Goldstein link
8/2/2018 12:26:20 pm

Thanks for the compliment on my post and for my artwork. Glad that you liked both, and am touched by your kind words regarding my painting.

Reply
Helen George link
8/4/2018 12:02:32 pm

Inspiring article! And a most beautiful painting!

Reply
Lynn Goldstein link
8/5/2018 09:12:39 am

Thanks so much for reading and for your kind comments on my work.

Reply
Jay
8/5/2018 07:31:52 am

Lynn,

That is just great. I am always impressed with your dedication and perseverance. What a fantastic honor and accomplishment.

Reply
Lynn Goldstein link
8/5/2018 09:13:55 am

Thanks so much! I appreciate your following my journey and reading my posts. Yes, I am very happy to have finally reached this particular goal!

Reply
Pauline Johnson link
8/7/2018 07:17:32 pm

Congratulations Lynn. You are an inspiration in your commitment to this wonderful artistic journey we make. It tells me to just keep enjoying and learning.

Reply
Lynn Goldstein link
8/7/2018 09:03:00 pm

Thanks so much for your kind words. I am glad that I can help inspire you while we share this journey together. Sending you peace and beauty!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    MEET THE ARTIST
    Happy to have you here. This is where you will see work in progress, tips about making art, seeing art, and enjoying art. You will also see ways to live life like an artist. 



    EXPLORE THE BLOG

    ​

    All
    Abstract Painting
    Art Help
    Artist Tools
    Exhibitions
    Inspiration
    Landscape Painting
    Making Art
    Painting
    TFAA
    Torpedo Factory
    Washington Society Of Landscape Painters


    To see work in progress, and more activity in my studio, follow me on Instagram. 

    Stay in Touch

    ABOUT          ARTWORK           CLASSES            WORKSHOPS            BLOG              SHOP            CONTACT     PRIVACY             TERMS

    EMAIL ME AT LYNN@LYNNGOLDSTEIN.COM 
    ALL ARTWORK IMAGES ON THIS SITE ARE © LYNN GOLDSTEIN