Life being an Artist is NOT EASY. You get used to people saying you walk to the beat of your own drum. They give you the head tilt with the questioning eyes. Unless you go to school and major in Art it goes against that grain of being a business major and then going to work as an Accountant. I have a degree in Building Construction Management. Nowadays there is great competition and everyone is an Artist. The thing is…I truly believe that EVERYONE is an Artist. So EMBRACING that Artist and not being your own biggest critic is such a struggle.
I remember taking a photography class and the photographer was showing her signature shot. She gave the recipe for her signture shot and how to capture it. I raised my hand and said “this is so great however I don’t want your shot…I want my own shot”. It was there that I put togther that the elements she shared were bits and pieces I need to find my signature shot. (Ironically that same photographer was not so happy people were “copying” her shot).
As an Artist I have taken classes from many different Artists I admire. I am always learning….I have been adapting my unique “style” for a very long time. I continue to grow and evolve…..I share/teach what I have learned….I take chances. I sometimes leap and HOPE wings grow when I paint. I am reminded that the process is not easy and comparing yourself to others is so easy to fall into. Embracing that Artist has become a process.
My Friend Susie Wolfe shared this link with me:
Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.
Susie said and I hope she does not mind me sharing “I really enjoyed your “Monday Madness” this week….It was a pleasure to watch you pull out of that “hot mess” and create something you (and I) just loved!! This was one of the best things you’ve done and very true to YOU. I loved the colors .. although they made no sense to me …. somehow it just worked. I loved watching how you “just knew” you needed to use certain things, but then allowed others to just develop. You have a natural eye for value contrast and I think that is a lot of what makes a successful painting. Congrats!”
Here is that piece….
Sometimes that “hot mess” does not go where I hope it goes but other times it takes a turn that I absolutely LOVE. But she hit it on the head. When I create what is TRUE TO ME there is no right and wrong. Finding those elements to perfect your “signature shot” is part of the process. Find your “special thing”. I am thankful to those who share their Art with me inspired by our Mixed Media Mondays:
My hope is that every Mixed Media Monday you are finding techniques and inspiration. I am proud of the community we have where it is fun and safe to share our work to grow as Artists and embrace who we are. I will see you tonight for Mixed Media Monday!
“Success never comes to look for you while you wait around thinking about it. You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do. Knowledge is basically useless without action. Good things don’t come to those who wait; they come to those who work on meaningful goals. Ask yourself what’s really important and then have the courage to build your life around your answer.”