Did you ever consider that maybe you love art (whatever yours might be) too much? I am reading a book titled “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield. He writes in a very succinct, insightful manner. One of his chapters suggests that Professionals (vs. Amateurs) do not put too much emotion into their work. He is not saying that they don’t love creating, but that they know how to step back from their creations. He says that professionals are not artists. What we do does not define who we are… hmmmm. Interesting concept, although I don’t think that is true to it’s fullest extent, I get what he was trying to say. I am a Daughter of God, a Wife, and a Mom. I DO art. I paint, draw, write, plan, design, illustrate. But those things do not make up me in my entirety. Love it. This resonated with me on so many levels. I’m being really honest right now, and I think this goes along the recent blog flame “Things I’m Afraid to Tell You.” I think I have been trying to be too safe with my art, because I am too attached to it. I know it’s silly, but I was really hoping to have made some sort of Etsy sale by now. (Ok, a lot of that has to do with my husband saying that I couldn’t get a printer until I made my first sale, and there is a HUGE sale on printers that ends in a couple days and I was hoping to swing that, but still I am disappointed with myself). I am afraid of failure. I think it’s made it’s way into my art. I have a piece of artwork hanging on my wall, that I am just not in love with. It feels stagnant and flat to me. I decided that I just needed to go for it. I took it down and threw some paint it on, pretty literally. I was so happy, so ecstatic with just trying to make myself love the piece. I think I brought through some sort of barrier. My husband was immediately like “You ruined it, I’m sure!” Then he looked at it more critically (note: it is still in very, very, very preliminary stages) and said, “You really went all out.” The highest compliment he has given me about my work. I wasn’t letting my fear of failure overcome me. I am ok if the picture is “ruined,” or doesn’t look perfect. I stepped past something blocking my artistic impulses. So I have decided that my business summer goals are: to focus on the basics, get back to my roots, throw myself out there and see what happens with honing in on my craft. I am going to play with style and medium and shape and form. Its going to be a blast! I am going to practice practice practice. It’s ok if I don’t make it big on Etsy (or wherever). Taking a step back I realize that isn’t what I really want anyways. I don’t want to spend 12 hours a day doing this, then it would become a chore. I like having multiple part time jobs, so-to-speak. It keeps things fresh and new and fun. Theodore Roosevelt said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” This is where I am at right now, and this is what I’m doing. Wish me luck! I’m off to practice, practice, [...]
