Becoming An Artist

Over the past few months, and even more over the last week, I've started to realize I have a little different perspective on my artistic practice than many artists. I've read numerous articles along the theme: most artists/creatives hate their own work, and it's what motivates them to do strive for better. Well, as has so often been the case throughout my life, this does not describe me...at all. I love my work. Even when I momentarily hate how frustrating the challenge is, or how many times I need to rethink my approach - to the point of making me question my sanity - I love it. Deep down, in the heart of the matter, is that it's an intricately woven thread in the fabric of my life. Yup, I went poetic (also known as mixed metaphorical).

When I look at my artwork, it brings me joy. I feel connected, and sometimes I even intrigue myself. I feel these things from many experiences, but this is one of the most profoundly personal. Yet, I don't take it all too seriously most of the time. It is what it is, it comes from, represents, and communicates what it does (sometimes more than I'm even aware of - and definitely can mean something very different to another person), I can only do so much to express myself articulately through visual language.

When people compliment my work...I do feel gratitude and I appreciate the positive feedback...but the even more powerful feeling? Is: YES! They felt something, this sparked something, I created something that brought beauty (I'm not only referring to aesthetics here, but also emotions) into their lives. Sometimes this can be a cathartic release - one of the most memorable experiences of witnessing a viewer react to my work, was to see her kneel down on the floor of the gallery and cry. I was dumbfounded and speechless, I was so overwhelmed. She thanked me, and said that piece gave her closure about the death of her daughter. I didn't understand how my artwork could do this, but it was when I absolutely knew this is what I needed to do with my life. Of course, that was intense and probably a once in a lifetime response, but I realized that if what I have to say through Art can move people, I want to do that.

I know some of my pieces are stronger, more appealing, or evocative than others; that is how it should be. Art reflects life.

#artist #text #ponder