I can throw around words like “abstract expressionism” in the semi-secret language of people who create, go to museums and understand decades and centuries by style of painting. We can speak with to each other. We have a particular language. If you don’t speak it, it may be hard to eavesdrop our conversations.
Artists and creative thinkers connect with clients in the genuine language, a language of laughter, stories and dreams. If we are going to be creating an art piece for corporate headquarters, or for cities and towns who understand the importance of art in public places, we need to trust our patrons, and they need to trust us. That happens with open conversation, mutual respect and admiration and a few guffawing laughs. It comes with speaking in the common tongue, not in abbreviations and in-crowd speak. When we find our common spark, the desire to understand each other is strong.
There is a reason Steven Spielberg called his company Dreamworks – what we do is a dream made real. The artist’s strength is having real conversations and making dreams real. What we do is dream work. It’s a calling and one we are called to share.
Yesterday I had a wonderful chat with a new client. I almost didn’t send a proposal to this particular organization. I was put off by something my contact had written in her email. However, I decided to send a proposal anyway and boy oh boy, was I glad I did.
My title at Avant Garb Mascots is, “Queen of Fuzz”. My contact’s family had recently given her some pink sock with “Queen of Everything” spelled out in rhinestones. We spoke the same language. I got the job designing and making the mascot. We also had some laughs. We trusted each other.
When we trust each other, and learn each other’s way of speaking, that is the beginning of genuine understanding and the way toward negotiating contracts sending invoices and living as artists in the material world.
Who knows – maybe its the way to peace on earth.
© Jennifer Smith 2025