Artistic Growth
Emotional Challenges of Creating Art
24 x 24 Oil On Board
SOLD
As artists, we all seem to go through a variety of emotions regarding our Artistic growth or lack. We want to be more proficient sooner, get into great galleries before our work has matured. As practicing artists, we’ve all been down this road.
By contrast, how many times do we become engrossed in our work and love what we are producing? We’re on a positive roll, paintings are flying off the easel and workspaces abound! The muses have been with us! This is the blessing and we’re elated!
Suddenly, we’re on the fence teetering, trying not to fall into the void….this is the curse… Self-doubt arises.. “why did I ever think I could make this crazy job work? It’s so hard! There is more to this artist business than I ever imagined! I stink at it, I should just quit!”
At this point, we need to dredge up our inner fortitude. Personally, if I can remember WHY I’m painting and printmaking, (for the love of how it feels and getting lost in the process of creating), and let the wisdom of “it’s not precious, it’s only paper, or canvas and pigment”, often something wonderful starts to happen. We let go of the preconceived image we had stuck in our mind’s eye and some other growth fills the void..something unexpected takes a hold of our mind, soul, body and what is in front of us “takes on a life of its own.” Looking at it afterward can seem foreign like our hand did not really produce such a thing. This is when I think an artistic growth spurt has just happened. Some refer to this as a spiritual feeling.
I find that when I can remember to just be in the act of creating and not critiquing my work at the same time some real breakthrough naturally happens.
I wish the same for you!
Have some fun with your art…let go a little!
All the best,
Darlene
DarleneFurbushOuellett.com
