Talk to any artist, and you will discover their work is nearly always under a cloud of personal misgiving. For a start, when painting, in particular, the most difficult part of the process is knowing when to stop. Where exactly, is the optimum point, as far as how a painting looks, and feels, to say it's finished. There is an optimum point, when the painting is at the zenith of perfection, displaying what you intended. However, to find that exact spot, without under, or over painting, is not easy. It's so subjective, neither can you easily accept anyone else's opinion of it. It's really a balancing act, to become happy with it yourself, and to the point where it becomes a viable product. Good feedback can be thought of as, perhaps just a kindness, rather than a true assessment. Thereby lies the reason I hesitated to call myself an artist for many years. Surely an artist was an exulted creature, subsisting on love in a garet, whilst creating vast masterpieces. Not a little woman with family, job, and materials stuffed in a cupboard. Perhaps I was only sadly lacking in confidence, but I think not. I thought it took more, more commitment, more risk, more everything.
Apart from that, it takes a kind of bravado to let people see something you have produced yourself. I was like that with painting. I fully understood while the old style artists of the past, kept their ongoing work covered with a cloth, letting no one see it. I wanted to keep the cover on mine permanently. Silly though it may be, but I was sensitive to criticism, no matter how much I determined not to be. It took quite a few paintings selling before I began to change my opinion a little. It actually took a sea change, when I found, or was it realised, admitting t myself, that I needed to create, to express myself - whatever. I wasn't happy if I was not making something. At that time, I began to be more honest with myself I suppose. Painting whatever I felt, and deciding how to complete it, just from my view point. Then If they sold, they sold. It's funny, but the ones I valued the least, sold first. I'm not sure what that says about me as an artist, or the clients. Except anything creative is very subjective, we all like different things. Or, at least a wide range of things.
Anyway, I digress, talking about myself again as usual. Ha ha, perhaps that's what bloggers are, self obsessed? I hope not, but whatever, I am what I am. You see, this reticence does pass, mine has done so with age. The older I get, the less I care about the opinion of others. At least, as far as my work is concerned. Maybe I am becoming bloody minded, and a curmudgeon. Quite a few of us do, as we age, even though I do not have great age as an excuse yet. Of course, It does not mean I am less sensitive, particularly with my writing at present. I think that is one of the reasons I began blogging. It is putting work out there, without asking anyone to pay for it. I get feedback, I can write about something different every day. It is no longer laborious fr me, trying to solely edit, edit, edit.
I think the real change is because I know, and have accepted the reason I paint, and write, is because I must! It's a compulsion. It's who I am. I have admitted to myself I must be doing something to express myself. To do something creative, no matter how vague. Almost anything will do, painting, writing, drawing, even gardening, and knitting. Having an end result is no longer the driving force. But, the process is what it's all about. I like to I get lost in it, to be fully absorbed. So much so, the world could disintegrate around me, and I wouldn't notice.
Therefore, we are back to the title of the blog. We can all be creative. In any of the ways I mentioned earlier, and quite a few more too. To make, is to be be creative, of course it is, creative, is to create. So, whether that is a painting, a cake, a dress, a flower bed, taking photographs, or to design a room, anything goes. Few of us do absolutely nothing of that sort, if you think about it.
I think man, as a race is naturally creative, we like beauty. We like to improve where we live, how we live, and how we look, what we wear, and eat. So, the next time you take a photo, or cook a meal, or make a picture, make music, enjoy the process. Become aware what you are doing, and make the most of it. Enjoy every minute, enjoy creativity. Or, try doing something different, just to see if you like it. Everything takes photos today, phones, iPads, laptops, so try composing a few that are not just records of who you are with, but an artistic composition. Take a class, any sort of class. Read a book on 'how to'. Explore possibilities. As I am sure you will find a few hours a weeks spent immersed in something using your hands, and your imagination will set you free. Of course, I am speaking subjectively here.
The world will be richer for beautiful artefacts, and you will be considerably calmer, and more tranquil within, more complete. Which, in turn helps everyone around you. All those who you come in contact with on a regular basis will wonder...what's different?
A little story...true. There was a most marvelous singer on one of those talent shows the other week. His voice, mellow, and pure, marvellous. It transpired, now in his sixties, he began singing lessons only a couple of years ago. Whether he is now too old to become famous, who knows. Except it's not about that is it, it about being the most you can be. The MOST, not the best.
You too may have undiscovered talents, things that could give you untold pleasure, and satisfaction.
Go for it......and enjoy
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