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There is a challenge in bringing your "heart work", the creative work that comes from a very deep place in you, out into the world.
There is an inner voice that is very judgmental and says, "it is arrogant to want to be seen, it is selfish to want notoriety and appreciation for your work, it is arrogant to think that your work is worth that and you are trying to take up too much space." Yikes! So painful and destructive! OK, I get it that you want to be conscientious and not be a hog or arrogant. This is good. Don't block others or be so self-focused that you are not appreciating the gifts of others. But let me say something radical here: It is a disservice to not to put your work out. It is a disservice to you and it is a disservice to me. This is the thing, as humans we are collective creatures, we learn from each other. It is how our cultures are resilient. Each person has a particular perspective and way of thinking, and a particular set of gifts, and we need all of it in order to continue to grow and develop. If you have been making art and having a hard time getting it out and some of it you like a lot, it is time to get it out! Don't worry about liking all of it. If you are reaching and growing as an artist, you need to be making some crap - it is part of the process of discovery. Show the work that you are proud of. If you are making art from the heart, following what is compelling and allowing yourself to work at the edge of discomfort and the edge of understanding, this is very vulnerable work. And it is the most important work for us to see. As a culture we need that work. That voice that says don't be arrogant or a hog of space is not trying to hurt you! It is trying to protect you, but its technique is not working in your favor any more. As collective creatures we need to belong- it is a basic human need. That inner voice is trying to keep you from saying or doing anything that will cause you to be ostricized; judged and excluded from the community. So don't try to shove that side of you away. Instead turn to it and thank it for all the effort in protecting you. Let it know that you have done the work of developing really solid work and that you are not going to be ostracized. You are going to be OK and you want it to stay with you. There are people who need your work! I would love to hear from you! Warmly, Val
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 I dropped "Persephone's Dream: A Prayer for Peace" off at Parkhill Orchard the other day. What a pleasure! Russell met me and gave me a golf cart tour of the place, (including drive by berry sampling- Yumm! I'm going to the market today to get some of those berries!), and showed me where all the sites where new pieces are going to be installed- including my own. And then we looked at the stones he had to mount her on. She is going to look great. The picture here is trying out one of the the stones, but not in its real location. I have an admission to make. I have a history of having a fear of galleries- a fear of approaching them- like they are the big bad wolf for artists. I tell you this in the off chance that you know someone who has had a similar fear. Because it has become abundantly clear to me, with experiences like meeting Russell, that my fear was ill founded, and maybe yours, or your friend's is too. |
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