It’s 2:37am and I’ve been awakened by the musical notes of snore, snore, snore… I turn and give a jab, jab, jab at my hubby’s arm, he turns over and the snoring stops. 5:11am the snoring starts again and I get out of bed – get a glass of water and some frozen chocolate donettes and go up to my studio. What better way to start the day than to blog. This is my first and hopefully not my last. The early morning hours are when my most creative thoughts start flowing. I had started a needle felted rendering of your house last week using my new technique of creating a wet felted background with the basic colors of the yard, house, etc. and will needle felt the finer details. I haven’t been inspired to work on it probably due to knowing that it’s supposed to represent our home and I guess I may or the family may be critical of the outcome. I’ll get over it but it’s sometimes hard to be creative knowing that there are critics (me being the worst) out there. I feel great joy from the positive reviews I receive and yet feel greatly injured from the non-responsive or negative remarks. I try not to let this impact future endeavors and tell myself that everyone’s different and it’s ok to not like my art.
Oh those midnight hours, I remember them well. Can’t do it myself so much these days, but it is certainly a time when the creative spirit speaks.
I have learned that the things I make appeal to some and not others. That an item can sit on the shelf for months and then be the one thing someone must have.
Also, perhaps not everyone is worthy of your creation, not everyone can see the beauty, not everyone’s soul is ready to respond.
I think it is almost essential to experience the light and the dark, we have more depth that way, and I bet nothing will stop that insistent little creative urge from filling you with joy and inspiration again and again and again. Making you vulnerable, again, and again and again. There you are up amongst the great artists of the centuries. Rightfully so.
I admit I’m not an early morning person though I sometimes work late in the evening. However, I think we can all relate to that feeling of “will they or won’t they” like my work. One thing that really helps me get through those times is to remember that someone’s “not liking” my work has nothing to do with me; for whatever reason, it just doesn’t appeal to that viewer.
I know this is easier said than done because, as artists, our work is often very personal, coming from our heart and soul. However, if you like your work, that should be your first “litmus” test. And yes, I know, we don’t always like our own work. Often times I have to walk away from it and return later with a fresh set of eyes and a fresh perspective.
As artists we often seek “approval” of the audience when we should probably look to ourselves first. As you grow as an artist and become more comfortable and confident with your skills, you may still want the “approval” of the audience, but if they don’t “get it” or are critical, the “sting” of those words does lessen because you are satisfied with your work.