Working with someone else in the arts is not always an easy task. Learning to work cooperatively with a partner, or partners, begins in elementary school when projects usually carried collaboration with another student. Some people have a hard time with this and it is oftentimes an artist that does. There are several reasons for this. Think about yourself when we discuss this.

Most of us work independently. We are the parent of the project so to speak, its our brainchild, we thought of it, we know how it will look/sound or whatever art we are talking about here. We don’t need help in achieving that. All of that is well and good until we get into a situation where there are several people in the mix. If there are a lot of people working in tandem toward a common goal then yes, there will have to be collaboration. This could also include sponsors, the folks who may be paying for this project. You will have to work with them so they have a say in the way the end product will turn out. You don’t want to bite the hand that is feeding you.

It depends too on how large the project is. If it is a huge production working by yourself wouldn’t be feasible or even reasonable. It takes a village to pull something like that off. For instance, if you are an art person working with other artists in a summer camp for kids, all of you will have to work together to plan and carry out the program you intend for your audience.

But of course, this isn’t exactly the kind of art project that could get our hair up if we were pushed into working with someone else one on one. If you had designed a mural and had to have help in the painting of that mural, would you be upset if the other artist suggested a design or color change? Would you be offended, or would you accept the suggestions with an open mind? Again, this is your baby and you had this all worked out. It could make strained working relationship with the other person, but the job is too huge to do by yourself.

The only way you can get off working totally by yourself is to hibernate in your studio and keep your artwork private. Don’t ask for opinions or help. This may be your choice. Is it the right choice? Don’t know. Its your decision. If you are geared to do it this way, consider working with a colleague sometime to get something done. Who knows, you may actually enjoy the company!