The Easel

Jerry Saltz: My Life As a Failed Artist

The challenges of being an artist are legion. There is shortage of money, self-doubt, all-consuming envy. Perhaps most difficult of all is the honest judgement of one’s inner circle. “[My wife] came into my office and started looking [at my work]. For a long time. One by one. Studying, not saying a word. After a while she turned to me and said, “They’re okay.” Stricken, I said, “Okay?! What do you mean okay?”