Interesting thing happened a couple of weeks ago. Any painting that I have created in my career as an artist and posted on FaceBook, I constantly check to see how many likes I receive. Call it insecurity. Call it wanting to be liked (after all – what we create as an artist is an extension of who we are – we put our souls on canvas….at least some of us do!!!) Call it ego. Call it whatever you want to call it.
But, I think it happens to most of us.
My mantra for this past year has been to create authentic art.
The kind of art that my soul – my guides – my muse – BEGS, INSISTS and DEMANDS me to paint!!!!! It’s not always easy, and sometimes my creations fall flat (translation – unsaleable!!).
I do it anyway.
I even tried an experiment a year ago, providing two galleries with cows (that they were begging me to paint), that my soul didn’t go into. I furthered that experiment this year taking those unsold paintings to a benefit sale where my cows fly off the wall like hotcakes….but….they didn’t. Not a single one sold!!! NOT ONE!!!! And they were priced cheap.
Hmmmmmm…….
I came back and decided – F**K it!!!! I’m painting what I’m being asked to paint.
And I posted it.
With this: “Oh holy s#!%!!!!!! I don’t even care if NO one likes her…I’ve been wanting to do abstracted figures… and I love doing this!!! I’m loving playing with pigments. And textures. Definitely a HUGE learning curve, but, SO DAMN FUN! I’m a giddy (and happy) camper.”
And, I really didn’t care.
For the first time since I have started painting – I really didn’t give a rat’s A$$ what a single soul thought. It was creation of the purest form. I lost all track of time – and honestly – I can’t remember ever not caring a bit.
And, of course, admonishment came.
“Sorry, but you are the first one to judge and tag your artwork by saying, -I don’t care if no ones like her-What make you think that? It’s like saying, well is not that pretty but I like it because I had fun. Mixed words caused some confusion.”
Of course – those words made me think – and came with perfect timing….Thank you GUS (God, Universe, Spirit)!!!!!
Maybe for the commentor, this was true……but……she has no idea what my path and my journey are all about. It’s taken my whole life to finally be able to say (and mean it) that I really didn’t care what people think.
Many artists are finding themselves in the same boat as I am in. They are torn between being “art factories” and creating art that sells, and yet, their souls scream “CREATE FOR THE SAKE OF CREATING!!!”
I believe now more than ever the world needs the messages that come through us…it’s why we were/are called to be artists. I will say that I don’t believe that this calling is for everyone. I think it is for those of us that KNOW that we are here to change the world by being authentic. By simply being who we are. AND, I believe that if we following our authentic calling with integrity, that GUS will take care of us.
I’m a creator. I love trying new materials. I love figuring out how to make it work for me in my style.
I LOVE THE PROCESS!!!
And, fellow creators, that intangible JOY translates to your creations!!! Your peeps (and also, your non-peeps) can feel it. When you get a comment like – “I don’t know why I am drawn to your art – but – I HAVE to have it.” – that’s how you know that you have created something that carries the one thing that some artists don’t have – the soul factor.
Create.
Rinse.
Repeat.
No fear.
Just pure soulful, authentic, joyful creation.
May We Walk Together As One.
Much Love,
Paula
This started as a regular ole post, and when I started writing, I was aware that there was more to say than I thought about this subject… So, here are my musings for the day.
