Art is an interesting journey and the one of the Artist even more so. I wonder at its definition or its truest meaning...
Artist - "A person who produces paintings or drawings as a profession or hobby."
Art - "The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture. Works produced by such skill and imagination."
The above definitions don't begin to tell the whole story of art and the artist...
I even wonder if Artist have a choice...for it is an inner passion that has to be expressed, like we are just along for the ride.
What I find very intriguing is the fear factor that comes with Art. The fear of exposing yourself and rejection...how the art and self become one.
My journey into Art was an unconscious journey exposing my subconsciousness.
It reflected a self that I was unaware of, and perhaps still does...or does.
In the beginning, I was more concerned of how others saw my art and their subsequent approval...I needed their blessing to be okay. So, even in my Art Relationship, it was very co-dependent.
As I unhinged myself from the outside and understood that my sense of self and self-worth was about me and me alone...my Art Relationship changed, as well as my Art, and even who I was concerned about while doing my art.
In quilting they have the Quilt Police, an imaginary group that hovers near your sewing maching keeping a critical eye, taunting you with your lack of perfection.
In Art, a similar aura walks with you, but its content mirrors your own self esteem.
I can see that Art and being an Artist, is an intimate relationship with your self witnessed by others.
In the beginning, my Art was held up by the good opinion of others...as was I.
Now, I feel that my Art and I are way okay if no one loves us, for we are fully content and in love.
Certainly I love when others love my Ladies, but I am also way okay if they do not. Where in the past, their lack of agreement would have challenged my self worth.
How I feel about myself has a direct response within all relationships, especially in Art.
Art that we make with our imagination and feelings, seems to then take on the personna of special friend, a love....and it is like we are dancing with our self.
I am not sure if all can follow this weird thrilling and terrifying journey of Art...being one of walking inside your self, but it is.
I would not have believed it, until I had seen my story line quilts all expressing the different levels of awakening...or self expressions I had of my self.
And, it stands to reason why some stop doing art, for it gets to be too intimate and so telling....and why others don't share or feel they are compensated enough or good enough etc.
It is like showing the world your soul.
Or even more, our relationship with our souls. The inner speaking and feelings about how we feel about who we are. A relationship between me and me.
Art is showing everyone how you feel about you...the relationship that steers all other relationships. How well do you know you...how honest are you with your self, how deeply connected are you with your authentic self.
Doing Art is a visual documented picture composition, of the relationship inside of you. Your self worth and value and love Of you.
It is not about how others see and love you/Art....it is more about self love.
A
