I’ve taught art for years and years, and know that there’s an artist within. But when it comes to actually putting brush to canvas, I’m nearly catatonic! I’ve got a book that’s been rattling around my skull for 40+ years, yet when I took a class thinking I’d get it at least started, all I could do was cry, cry, cry and had to drop the class.
What’s wrong with me? I don’t think I’m a person who takes criticism particularly poorly, and can certainly bring out the latent artist in every friend and high school student I’ve met, yet put all kinds of obstacles in front of actually producing anything myself! I consider myself realistically self-confident and have a life I’m delighted with, yet this obstacle, whatever it is, stands in my way…
What the hell’s wrong with me? Can anybody give me a good, quick kick of reality/perspective on how to tame this ‘beast’ of insecurity (or whatever it is)?
I used Noxzema from the time I was old enough to wash my own face, all through school and into adulthood. Then I decided it wasn't 'sophisticated' enough and went with higher priced, higher end products. About 5 years ago, I went back to 
How funny....i only very recently (within last week) read the coconut oil articles on the web. (100 uses, 80 uses etc.) so i bouht some and ordered some from amazon. (Im a stockpiler.)
Have started trying some of the uses. I tried using it a
If your going to be financially secure enough to venture out and see whats available in the B & B field...take your time and check it out. If you have to jump into a job..just to have one..you will not be happy. Hope you get the time to find wh
Nothing is wrong with you that coming to the International Women’s Writing Guild conference on June 12th can’t fix. Honestly, I’ve been going for 25 years…the Guild promotes the transformation and empowerment of creative women in the most inspiring and nurturing of ways…using writing as a tool. If you are serious about writing this book, the Guild will get you there. Please go to http://www.iwwg.com for more info. We have weekend, five day and one week packages. Over 200 women from all over the world, your room, 3 gourmet meals daily and 75 workshops to choose from, and all the creativity, support, laughter, tears and camaraderie you can stand! PS – with regards to the crying you mentioned…one of my workshop leaders at the Guild once said to me: Tears mean the soul is thirsty – let it drink. Come and bring your tears to the conference! You’ll leave having turn them into the first pages of your book.
Heather–It’s taken me far too long to thank you for this suggestion. Although I couldn’t attend this year due to a load of commitments already on my calendar, I am already looking forward to the summer of 2010 International Women’s Writing Guild conference. I’ll be there with bells on!
In the meantime, I’m soon challenging myself to the November NaNoWriMo endeavor, and thus should have some previous writing for the conference. I’m excited all over again about what my creative future holds for me, and haven’t been “thirsty” (or tearful) for awhile….of course, check in with me about mid-November when I’m trying to crank out over 50,000 words, eh?
Thanks again for your kind and inspired advice! Fran
PS – many artists have come over the years…and there are a number of non-linear workshops offered. We consider writing part of any artistic process…just in case you’re saying, “How nice, but I’m not a writer…”
you read my mind. I am not a writer but have been dabbeling with a number of different crafts. I can typically copy whatever I see but can’t seem to transfer original thoughts successfully to a medium of choice. Frustrates the heck out of me. Need to feed the creative juices and get out of my home more. Have received honorable mention for some photos I have taken. I have too many interests and feel I don’t give any one specific medium the time I need to. I made a gift for my mom using leaves, the skeletons, fabric, and photo. It turend out beautifully. I was surfing the web one day and found someone had copied my idea and was selling it on their site.
How do you know they copied your work?
Hi Fran,
In a nutshell, you are overwhelmed. I can’t tell you how many pillows I’ve cried into while struggling with the artist within. I did this when first trying to get my second CD off the ground (by the way, I’m still trying!) i will tell you something I had to face head-on before I could go any further and that is my fear of success. It is real. The thing you want most is the thing you’re most afraid of. I also had to overcome the belief that I’d missed my chance. That is a bunch of hooey! You haven’t missed your chance. The gift you were given is still viable and useable. You have to believe this before you can believe anything else. Like you, I can help everyone else and bring out their best. We are kindred spirits in that respect. However, I did not have the same faith in myself. I couldn’t use that same knowledge for myself. When you begin to realize and embrace the fact that it is indeed “Your Time”, things won’t be so difficult and those obstacles will be a little easier to overcome. Most of all, do this for “YOU”. Don’t worry about whether your work will meet everyone else’s standards, just make sure your work meets your own. Let it be the ONLY reason you put brush to canvas. Believe in yourself and your talents. As far as the book is concerned, my suggestion is to get a mini recorder and start talking about your ideas. There’s so much bottled up inside that none of your ideas can get out properly. You can always transcribe your thoughts later or even get someone you trust to do it for you. Once you just step back and realize that everything’s going to be all right, your mind will relax enough to let some of those beautiful ideas come forth. It’s just a start but I truly believe it will help you head in the right direction. Remember, it begins with you believing in the artist within you. I wish you all the best.
Sherelle Cary Smith
I think you should be a therapist. You would be successful immediately! Very supportive and inspiring message. It made me smile.
I’d like to read future posts by you and anything else you might have in print.
Hi Fran. VN member WomenBloom just recommended a video by author Elizabeth Gilbert on dealing with the pressure of the creative life. It’s really worth seeing! You may watch the video here.
As I sit staring across the room at three small canvases I have mentally given a failing grade to, this video brought me to tears. I haven’t painted in about 20 years and had to fight all the negativity even to buy the canvases. I will perservere. THANK YOU FOR SHARING!
Sometimes videos or DVD’s are the safest place to relearn painting technique and regain confidence – away from the staring eyes of others. For painting I suggest the step by step books, videos and DVDs by Jerry Yarnell. He’s excellent. You can paint along with him, follow his creativity, his composition and style until you regain your confidence. He’s the one who taught me to paint. I found him on PBS. Here’s the link to his site http://www.yarnellart.com You can start with his PBS series. You can even take classes from him if you want. He tours the country. He’s kind of a sweetheart.
There are books to teach you to write, all kinds of books. Some are good, some are not. I suggest starting with the Writer Digest site http://www.writersdigest.com/GeneralMenu They sell books on how to write, a forum where you can meet other writers. They also put out a magazine and a newsletter.
After I took a class on writing poetry in college, I couldn’t write poetry for a long time. Going to a conference or taking a class can be intimidating at first. So I suggests using writers forums as a search argurment and see what you can come up with. There are a number of them.
I think what you are experiencing relative to fear and the crying could be due to hormone fluctuation. I found that once I entered parimenopause and while I went through menopause a lot of my hard-earned confidence evaporated. Remember how it was when we entered puberty and all the insecurities we had. This is the same, only in reverse. Like the old timers said, “This too shall pass.” It will.
Figure out what would feel like the least intimidating approach and start with that. If one thing doesn’t work, try something else. What works for one may not work for someone else. You will find your way through this – and successfully.
Fran, are you afraid of other things in your life? Have you ever been? How did you get past it? I work in acrylics. I think fear is overcome by motivation. What inspires you? Fill yourself with the things you enjoy. When a moment hits you, stop every thing you are doing (as possible) and PAINT. Load a brush with paint, apply the paint to the canvass. Just put paint on the canvass. Don’t try to make a scene or etc. Just put paint on the canvass. Paint the entire canvass that one color if you wish. Try another color and apply that paint. NO form, just paint. Take teeny baby steps. Get used to applying paint to the canvass, no matter what your result.
EVENTUALLY, you will apply more than one color at a time. Eventually, you will try to shape the colors into something recognizable. When we are children, we are not afraid of stick figures or weird trees or odd houses. Just PAINT. Experiment. Your worst critic is yourself. Don’t worry about what you think. Just DO. It WILL happen. It may take longer than you want, but it WILL become easier and your fear will dissipate and eventually disappear. DON’T give up. HAVE FUN, that is very important. Experiment. Use different implements other than a brush. Try a sponge, or ….. OH…… and, get with it. Stop procrastinating.
God bless you!!
GmaBetty
Your message is as if you are speaking to me, and I love it. Procrastination is insidious, invisible but powerful enemy. I will take your advice, print this out where I can see it on my easel, and get gong! Thanks, from a GGma Betty! But they call me TuTu! Thanks again for your pep talk!
I’ve always found that using books, etc. overwhelm me; and quite smother whatever ideas of my own that I had. If you’re worried about obstacles, and want just a good kick, you have to look to yourself. I mean, my college studio classes did me no good except goose me into drawing more, and learning about my strengths and shortcomings on my own.
I’m a published artist, yet am not a painter – but I do know that there are two colors: dark and light. Knowing this, which is a type of freedom, you really should put your brush to canvas and create - don’t worry about a subject, or a narrative, you might only be covering that canvas with shadows, or textures. At any rate the floodgates will be open, and you can more easily zero in on what you really desire; what story you want to tell us.
Hi Fran,
How familiar your message felt to me! I’m passing my lessons along to you in case they shed any light on your path.
The first thing I had to learn to do was honor the passion I felt for my art and my writing. That is different from acknowledging it. Honoring it means giving it the time, space and equipment you require in order to allow your gifts to manifest. If you’re anything like me, you have learned to rush through just about everything, from putting your makeup on in the morning to throwing together dinner in the evening. It’s all about taking care of everyone else. I wonder if now you’re rushing through trying to write and paint, without really clearing psychological and physical space for these new pursuits in your life.
Let’s look at the example of makeup for a minute (if you don’t use makeup, think of something else you typically rush through during the course of your day).
Think about it: even though you usually hurry through it, you know that taking the time to use the correct products and tools in the best possible lighting will allow you to do your best job with your makeup; a better job with your makeup will likely make you feel more attractive. The key is focus. Allow yourself to do nothing but your makeup while that is what you are doing–no wondering what you’ll wear, no fretting about running late, no ticking off the items you need to pick up at the grocery store. Just pay attention to your makeup. Then move on to getting dressed or whatever comes next.
I suspect this might be the missing ingredient in your ability to produce your book and to put brush to canvas. But this will be simple for you to address! Insist to yourself that you take your time. Allow yourself to fiddle around with a sketch. Allow that it won’t be perfect. Make changes. Start over. But spend time with it. Practice. Devote yourself to possibility. Your gifts will flow when you open the channel, and you open the channel by paying attention to it and by fanning the flames of your passions, not just by declaring that the channel is now open.
There is nothing more important than feeling your gifts and talents are aligned with your life’s work, because it is your gifts that make you unique. No one else has your combination of passions, experience and point of view. You are the only you, and the paintings and books inside of you can become your gifts to the world. You will contribute most to the wellbeing of others (and to your own) when you allow your passions and talents to drive your actions. You might also see if you can let go of any activities you don’t feel this way about.
There is nothing wrong with you, my friend. You’re most likely just expecting too much of yourself too soon, without giving yourself adequate time and space, as well as the concentration and the tools you need in order to feel the most productive. An acorn contains the oak tree, but without the attention of the sun, rain and soil, the tree will exist as mere potential forever. Cultivate your gifts. Become the tree!
-Sarah
What beautiful words of wisdom and inspiration. The analogy from nature’s miracles is perfect. We should realize what miracles we are, too. Thank you, Sarah.
- Betty Crosby
Maybe it’s as simple as being afraid you’ll fail. You’ve had a career in art and you have a reputation to defend. Forget it and just enjoy. Be a closet painter for a while until you like what you see. Above all, don’t be afraid to fail. That’s how we learn.
Marilynne
Funny you should mention this.
is about releasing creativity and journalling and getting in shape follows.
I wonder if you really know yourself as well as you think. You may be harboring self doubts, or perhaps you feel you must live up to standards that you fear deeply that you can’t meet . it could be your own high standards or what you deem others expect of you.
It does all amount to simple “insecurity”. Know that if you don’t give yourself a chance to try–it’s truly worse than the self-protection that keeps you safe emotionally. Remember the all too true phrase–”You have nothing to fear but fear itself”.
Read this article – it may help:
http://www.ldsmag.com/lineuponline/090608identity.html
I too am an artist and get disappointed when the great painting in my head doesn’t turn out just right, but I’m not letting it stop me. I keep trying – I oil paint, watercolor, use pastels, and do photography. At least some of my stuff turns out and other people appreciate it – that is enough for me. You can see some of my work at:
http://elayne.imagekind.com
Don’t give up – expose that artist inside. Practice makes perfect – sometimes art mistakes turn out to be the best ones.
Elayne,
I went to your site and looked at your paintings and photography. They are lovely. Since you do portrait type pictures, maybe you can give me the answer to the question I asked above:
Do you know any good books or DVDs/vidoes on painting portraits? I like realism. I paint with acrylic, but I can adapt the lessons.
Thanks, Vi
You can see my work at http://www.whereartmeetstheheart.com
I took art classes at BYU Hawaii – especially figure drawing and that really helped me – had a terrific teacher – Matt Alisa. Just sitting down and drawing a life model almost daily for a semester really helped me with my drawing skills. Try drawing your husband or friend – I’m sure they will give you the criticism that you will need to improve. Draw from different angles and under different lighting so you can do the shading right. I am not aware of any good books, but I am sure there are some. Our teacher had us draw daily in a notebook wherever we were – at a meeting, at church, etc. It trains your eyes and hands to put things in perspective on the paper. Reading books or watching DVDs makes it all look so easy, but actually doing the work – practice practice practice seems to be the best remedy for artist block.
Thanks for the tips. I have painted my husband. My problem is that I can paint, but I have difficulty drawing. On the home page of my website, you can see me painting him from an old photo:
http://www.whereartmeetstheheart.com/
Here’s the link to the finished painting:
http://www.whereartmeetstheheart.com/xthatwasthen.shtml
I’m not blocked really, I just see things in my mind that I can’t find reference material for. I need to make the next growth step. My problem is proportions.
I just came back from Alaska. I took 574 photographs of exactly how it looked through a very small lens with God’s light on everything. I have the pictures, I don’t need to paint pictures. 8 photographs came out outstanding. I bought three canvases and painted not how it looked, but how it felt. They have the first movement of color, a small bit of 24 karat gold leaf and are looking at me waiting for the next layer. I am waiting for the dictation!
Put a picture upside down and with paper and pencil begin drawing the shapes you see. Don’t think about the original picture – just draw the shapes you see in this upside down image. Don’t turn your papers right side up until you’ve finished drawing. I think you’ll be very surprised.
This sounds intriguing and I can see it working…Thanks. I will try this. Betty Crosby
I am 75 years old, and I’m only now discovering that I enjoy writing. But it was really hard; emotionally, physically, and spiritually, to write my book, and I had a lot of help. I hired a ghostwriter to help me at first, but now I am writing my own stuff and just getting some help with the editing. Maybe instead of a class, you could just start with asking ONE person willing to help you. Just start writing with another friend casually–don’t put so much pressure on yourself right away.
If you want to hear how I handled the resistance and fear, check out my blog at divinebetrayal.com. Good luck!
Just do it!
Your book looks like a wonderful cleansing and creative expulsion of ghosts! Good for you! If you would like to send me a copy I will review it on my blog and newsletter. Snow E. Piccolo, 401 E. Las Olas Blvd. #130-353, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
Good for you!!!!!!
I came to writing late in life too. If you you like some virtual support try this web site:
http://wfscsherwoodpark.com
my problem is I enjoy so many different things. I had a difficult time finding the work I wanted to do for a career because I enjoyed a number of jobs. I like to knit, crochet, decoupage, photography, tinker with designing and making furniture, sewing, painting-although it isn’t my favorite and jewelry making. I also want to try working with glass but don’t own a kiln yet. It took me years to narrow down the job I wanted to do for a career. I became a welder/pipefitter after going to college for computers/accounting. I looked at welding as a form of art; making each weld look better than the one before. I didn’t want to invest that same amount of time in making a decision on what form of art I want to pursue. I will know when I find it, just like I did with my career. I had just wanted it to be sooner rather than later. It will be that much sweeter when I do figure it out.
I am an artist too and have experienced blocks creating artwork many times too!
LWidstrand
Do you know any good books or DVDs/vidoes on painting portraits? I like realism. I paint with acrylic, but I can adapt the lessons.
You are going to get scads of wonderful answers to your question here, as artists are, by nature people who share themselves with others…and in that, perhaps, lies your problem. Sharing something so internal and precious is hard. I was going to suggest an good art teacher but you have that in the bag already…but perhaps finding a University class which is not judgemental but more serious or a private tutor that you love might be the key. It’s like finding a therapist, don’t give up because you have to try on a few shoes before you find one that brings your comfort out.
I was an artist who became, of all things, an accountant to survive and raise my son. People think that it is humorous that I can prepare their taxes and then paint their portrait. But, in fact, both are surprisingly creative. I quit art for many years feeling I wasn’t good enough. I painted for friends and family and gave away the best pieces I ever produced.
But, there is a point as we mature, where the creative energy just has to come out, and you have reached it. Once you pull the plug, it will pour out like a river. Don’t be afraid. I started taking a class because my boyfriend wanted to learn. I found the most wonderful, kind, talented woman teaching at the local college. We adored her. The group she attracted was diverse and a little funky. For me, working 7 days a week running my own accounting firm, just getting out and interacting with others was terrifying. I was used to business relationships, not supportive adults with artistic minds. I was sure I wasn’t good enough. I started at the farthest table in the room, but as I opened up, I moved to the front and became friends with many others better and worse than myself. It also made me take four hours off for myself each week – rigidly, that I had never given myself before. Some women go to the spa or get their nails done, I went to art class.
Now, after not painting for 8 years I am starting again. Like you, I am terrified. I now have MS and my hands shake. I live in a wheelchair and sometimes I’m a little foggy. But that same teacher has convinced me that – although I am a “Realist” painter, I may find a new freedom in my shaky hands. Who knows, maybe there lurks an “Impressionist” in me after all!
Going out, joining, learning, taking the scooter on a bus, meeting new people, trying again…it’s all terrifying to me. But, the MS Assn is buying me a paint box and supplies, and sending me to a jewelry making class as well. (I originally had a jewelry business in college.) So, at almost 60, shaky and a little spacey, I will paint. And then take pottery again…then perhaps onward!
If Susan Boyle can get out there and sing her little heart out, I can damn well paint again! My new passion is Australian Aboriginal Art and….strangely enough, tattoo art through history.
You can do it girl! As someone above said so beautifully, the tears are the artist within you trying to spill out. Open the faucet and let it pour. Let us know how you are doing. We are here awaiting your triumph.
Ciao, Ainslee Grace
I too appreciate and am inspired by your comments. And I loved Susan Boyle. I hope she is doing well. I just thought that shedding those precious tears on a wet canvas if using watercolors might have an interesting result! Thanks for posting your encouraging words. Ciaobella, Betty Crosby
Great referral, I’m going to get the Library to order it for me asap! Also, fabulous PBS is running a series right now…it’s called Craft In America I think, which is rather misleading. It’s not people cutting paper or making scrapbooks, tee hee. But rather, it is a wonderful documentary of various artists of all kinds creating amazing and unique art. Watching it makes me want to try EVERYTHING! Ceramics, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, art from nature, art from trash…it just fuels my inner kiln….thanks for this wonderful suggestion, and the website link. Ciao. Ainslee
Ainslee, love the comment “it just fuels my inner kiln”… Great analogy! I can feel the warmth already! Thanks for lighting my fire! Betty Crosby
Hi Fran!
Try the book “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron It is awesome, and addresses all of the fears, blocks and obstacles you mentioned! I Have facilitated an Artist’s Way Group every summer for the past 12 years and cannot tell you how many wonderful creatives I have watched bloom!
It’s tough for many artists to free ourselves and find our own voice, so congratulations on your bravery! Having run an art gallery for 4 years and featuring hundreds of artists, you may be comforted to know that this bravery is an ongoing process. Artists reach one level and then challenge themselves to reach another. Remember to be gentle on yourself, as you no doubt were as a teacher to others, and particularly in the early days. It is tough to go back to “kindergarden” when we are supposedly adults! Your reaching out to organizations like this is proof to me that you are on your way, or you simply wouldn’t reach out. The trick, I think, is to just get down to doing it, knowing you’ll make mistakes like anything else (learning to cook or play tennis).
You might benefit from The Artist’s Way
by Julia Cameron. You can buy used copies of her paperback on Amazon and likely find it in any bookstore. I have several of her books that keep me company. Whether you follow her 12 week course precisely or skim it for ideas and support, I think she does a good job at both encouraging and providing steps to follow. The online description states, “With the basic principle that creative expression is the natural direction of life, Julia Cameron and Mark Bryan lead you through a comprehensive twelve-week program to recover your creativity from a variety of blocks, including limiting beliefs, fear, self-sabotage, jealousy, guilt, addictions, and other inhibiting forces, replacing them with artistic confidence and productivity.”
I’m still experimenting to find my own voice and style, which is difficult and sometimes daunting when there are so many amazing artists out there. But give it a whirl, and trust your instincts! As they say in France, bon courage!! Beth<!
I’ve been reading this chain of comments with great interest! One of my proudest moments was being cited by Julia Cameron in her original edition of The Artist’s Way as an influence…(She liked my early work on the issue of life balance)…anyway, this makes a nice, complete circle for those of us in the VN community.
It’s wonderful how everyone has come to the front to encourage each other in our various artistic lives. That is another thing that “fills the well.” Support and encouragement. You go, Girls!!
http://heidiwriter.wordpress.com
Beth, your words are beautiful, comforting and inspiring. Merci beaucoup! Betty Crosby
Great post! Funny, I just mentioned The Artist’s Way in my blog today, talking about “Refillilng Your Well” when your energy and creativity seems to be gone. http://heidiwriter.wordpress.com Being out in nature seems to do it for me.
Start by just doing a little bit.Every day write/do about whatever comes to your mind…play some music, drink a little wine …give yourself a little party. And then write one page. Become your own teacher. Remember how someone that loved you treated you and expected from you? Do that for yourself.
When I was a toddler I would wake up and would have to wait until somebody got me out of my crib. One time I dreamt that baby Me was there waiting,waiting,waiting and I realized that I could get myself out. So I did! Then in real life I stopped waiting for the magic touch, started painting in good paper and putting my work up! I love my work! You’ll love yours too. There’s a Chick Corea’s album cover that has him at the keyboards playing BUT a fairy is touching him and giving him the music. Sit at the keyboard! Grab your pen!
I used to draw or paint on scraps of paper and sometimes would end up
Hi Fran, I’ve been a self-taught artist for 30 years, and have made my living solely with my art for almost all of those years. Now with the economy, so many of my stores and galleries are no longer in business, and the ones that are are struggling. So, I’ve had to figure out how to market myself differently, and one of the things I’ve started to do is offer art workshops, in my home. Women love to come here, and I create a very safe environment because I know how vulnerable we all feel when creating our own work. I have struggled with being “good enough” as a teacher. I have turned again to “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. I’ve been doing the things she suggests to do, (write morning pages, and have a weekly “Artist Date” with yourself) It is helping me get past the fear I’ve had that I can’t be an artist in this economy, where am I going with my work, is it good enough – the general terrors that seem to haunt “creative types”. I am also not exaggerating when I use the word terror, because it is terrifying to feel that you are not good enough, you can’t have your dreams, etc. Perhaps because you teach others, you have an expectation for your own art that you feel you can never live up to, so it’s terrifying to try. Perhaps there is a sadness in you that you haven’t created your own art, and by taking the class, you got in touch with the sadness and you’re allowing it to surface. Then, you place harsh judgment on your own reaction. If you were in my class, I would let you cry. I would tell you that you obviously need to do so. What is wrong with crying? Your inner being is expressing something valuable to you. I would love for you to be able to accept your tears, and the emotions that you are feeling, and let them be. No judgment – no criticism. I think if you were able to accept what you are feeling and experiencing, you would find that behind the tears will come the enjoyment of allowing yourself to be a creator. If that comes with tears, so be it. In answer to your question: Nothing’s wrong with you. You don’t need a quick kick – you deserve some self acceptance and self love. As I write to you, I say these things to myself, because making a living at your creativity is a challenging thing to do. I am working with being able to accept my fear and terror thoughts as just that – thoughts, and NOT the truth of who I am. I have also found great comfort from Pema Chodron. She is a Buddhist nun, and her speaking on her CD’s has been like salve on my wounds. We all need, and deserve, love and support. I think it’s wonderful that all these other women want to love and support you too. In our vulnerability is also our strength. With Love and Blessings, Susan
What a beautiful writing! I feel like you have wrapped me in your artists arms and given me a dose of encouragement. You should write that into an inspirational book for artists. I have always wanted to write and paint, but I have always had to work to have a paycheck. I would like to change but I don’t know where to begin. I have not had any formal training for art; I just enjoyed doing all kinds of artwork with my kids. I want to write children’s books and a memoir – or two. Right now I need to keep my paying job to pay the bills. I hope to keep my dream and make it a reality some day. Thank you again for your wonderful words.
Hi Wishin54, Thank you so much for your kind thoughts. I am so glad you felt wrapped in loving arms, and encouraged. Many times I have that visual, of wanting someone to hold me and tell me I’m OK, and all is well. So, I believe we need to do that for each other. It is through the angst and terror of wondering at times if I’m “good enough” that I understand completely what we go through to create, whether we are professionals, or just have a desire to try. I don’t know where you are, but I live in Glendale, Ca and I offer art workshops for this very reason. We are ALL more creative than we know, but no one has shown us how to look at life that way. My feeling is that if people come to my workshops and enjoy it, and start to see their world in a more beautiful way, or enjoy art a little more, I’ve done something valuable. So, my friend and fellow dreamer, do yourself a favor, and get “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. Because we need to be loved and supported into expressing who we are, and Julia’s writing, and her suggestions have helped me immeasureably. I love you lots, and I hope you go play! During your workday, doodle a simple sketch, or admire a beautiful tree, or smell a rose. Start focusing on the beauty that is your life, but we get so busy we forget! Susan
How do those of us in SoCal contact you directly? Website?
Hey Fran! I feel your pain or whatever it is. I too love to write and now that I am finally retired after 55 years of working, I had planned to start painting. As soon as the renovation of my house is complete, soon, I will set up my easel and face my fear. I really don’t know what the answer is, but I can take some stabs at the reasons. I am trying to interpret my own feelings and maybe that will apply to you as well. First, I have never painted in any medium. I know I have some talent because I have done portrait sketches that were very good likenesses, although my strokes were not confident. I have tried sculpting, and although I knew nothing about technique, I did end up with a great likeness of Don Quixote. One comment that may help you is to know that the worst kind of art is not doing it at all. As in dancing, paint as if no one is watching. Start with a simple, favorite subject, or copy a favorite picture. What other people think is none of YOUR business! Try to start when you are inspired. I dreamed one night that I could play the piano well, and sat down at the piano and played without looking back and forth from music to keys. I thought I had broken through some barrier, but the next time I tried to play – without the inspiring dream – I could not. Now that is a mystery, but I share it with you in case it triggers your start button. I watch painting shows a lot, have some CD’s on various mediums. I will start with simple techniques – maybe even decorative painting until I am comfortable with the brushes and mediums. But I will start. That may be the only secret. Just start and keep practicing. Everyone can paint. There is nothing to fear but fear itself!!! Good luck!
Hello Fran, I can relate to your frustration because I’ve been there and sometimes still am! The Good News–nothing’s wrong with you! Just a few hitches in your creativity get-along. If it feels right to you, I recommend you read a book called Life, Paint and Passion by Michell Cassou and Stewart Cubley. It was a wake up call to me about the creative process. And, guess what! I now co-host a radio show–Art and Soul http://www.artandsoulsite.com and we are all about creative process. Stewart is our guest on Monday! You can listen online if you’d like and the shows are archived if you can’t listen live. You might even want to call in and ask Stewart to hear his response. I’d enjoy staying in touch as I have a book in my head and my art often seems to take second place to everything else in my life. I know sometimes I worry if I get started with my artwork/writing I’ll become so immersed everything else will be neglected. Another little lie I tell myself to hold me back : )
P.S. Stewart has a site http://www.thepaintingexperience.com
Creatively, Sheryl
I have the answer for you! I am an artist, too. Age 56. I recently ‘hung out my shingle’ and started teaching. I have a small group of women aged 55 – 68, who, like you, were either always involved in art, but not getting where they wanted to go, or were absolute beginners. At first I worried how the 2 levels would mix – I needn’t have. After 2 weeks they’d all bonded and are each others’ biggest supporters. We are all ‘serious’. Besides each lesson covering the basics, I talk about their own vision, how to move forward.
But this is the amazing thing: as a ‘band’ of older women we realized that we each carry such a breadth of experiences, some shared, some commiserated, and such stories! Of hardship, loss and illness – BUT each of us/them are determined and open. Each of us is a Force to be reckoned with. We are focused FORWARD, in our art and in our lives. I wish you could join us. We laugh a lot, but learn a lot from each other, too, we are fearless! If you live near RI I wish you could join us…. please try to find other groups – plein air groups are great, too. I have my ‘forever girlfriends’, too, that I found through plein air painting. I wish you well..