Loved to read this, we are all suffering from perfectionism to impress others! I try everyday to just have fun, but it's something I need to remember myself daily and add post its around my messy desk 🙃 also love the work of Maud Lewis, I met her work through the movie (and of course needed to search more after!).
I think young people absorb the message that only professional artists are worthy of calling themselves artists, and they get frustrated when they can't match the skills of professionals online. I still feel bad about my visual art, because when I was a kid I wanted to be a professional cartoonist and after years of drawing, taking classes, reading books, etc, my art didn't look professional. It still looks pretty wonky, lol.
Lately, I've been thinking a lot more about how to separate art from capitalism – "process, not product" – to make my art practice more about fun, self-expression, and growth, and keep that separate from my professional craft. It's been a fulfilling journey so far!
Ahh Geoffrey I'm so happy to hear that you've been reconnecting with it. It's common for a lot of people to feel like they can't call themselves artists or writers or anything. When we are all of those things!!
True! I’m always trying to loosen the grip of perfectionism which sometimes creeps into my beloved sketch books which means it has a grip on my joy. Not okay. Love Maud’s painting and yours too, for the sheer joy that comes through!
Thanks for the inspo to share my messy sketchbook pages! I also am a little weirded out by the sketchbook tours of flawless masterpieces that just so happen to reside in a sketchbook.
I remember the feeling when I realized I could just make the same piece again…I felt free! But I continue to need reminding 😅💛
It's so hard!! Imagine if we just redid the same piece over and over again for years, it would probably be so good by the end.
Loved to read this, we are all suffering from perfectionism to impress others! I try everyday to just have fun, but it's something I need to remember myself daily and add post its around my messy desk 🙃 also love the work of Maud Lewis, I met her work through the movie (and of course needed to search more after!).
I have the exact same experience with social anxiety 😭 thanks for sharing
Me threeeeeee... 🙃
So common!! I wish their was a better term- post social spiral...
I think young people absorb the message that only professional artists are worthy of calling themselves artists, and they get frustrated when they can't match the skills of professionals online. I still feel bad about my visual art, because when I was a kid I wanted to be a professional cartoonist and after years of drawing, taking classes, reading books, etc, my art didn't look professional. It still looks pretty wonky, lol.
Lately, I've been thinking a lot more about how to separate art from capitalism – "process, not product" – to make my art practice more about fun, self-expression, and growth, and keep that separate from my professional craft. It's been a fulfilling journey so far!
Ahh Geoffrey I'm so happy to hear that you've been reconnecting with it. It's common for a lot of people to feel like they can't call themselves artists or writers or anything. When we are all of those things!!
Thanks for writing this! The art museum in Halifax NS has Maud Lewis' actual painted house, which is so interesting to see if you ever get a chance.
I'm going to a wedding in September in Halifax and I was so so excited to learn that! Definitely making the stop!
Thanks. Love art
Love this, love you!
True! I’m always trying to loosen the grip of perfectionism which sometimes creeps into my beloved sketch books which means it has a grip on my joy. Not okay. Love Maud’s painting and yours too, for the sheer joy that comes through!
It's tough because I think most artists want to get better at their work- which is noble! if only we could marry that with the joy we feel.
Thanks for the inspo to share my messy sketchbook pages! I also am a little weirded out by the sketchbook tours of flawless masterpieces that just so happen to reside in a sketchbook.