by Judy
I love this time of year. With summer right around the corner there are all sorts of activities and events planned near where I live, and in all the towns up and down the Hudson River. This weekend, a nearby town's Art Alliance has a summer kick off event called Open Studios.
This is a fabulous day- long event where you can visit the artist in his or her studio, see where he or she creates, asks questions, see how they tick, and view their work. I'm always in awe when I visit, and to tell you the truth, a little bit jealous. Some of the artists have beautiful studios overlooking the city streets. Oh, who am I kidding, even the basement studios are so inspiring, and I love visiting them all!
In the past, I've felt a little intimidated when I enter. What am I going to say? Am I interrupting their artistic flow? I've imagined that they must feel so comfortable and at ease. I've assumed that they feel accomplished and secure with their work, and very successful.
This year I happen to know two of the artists who will be participating in Open Studios. Imagine my surprise when I found out that all of my assumptions were wrong!
One of the artists is a photographer, the other creates jewelry and is a painter, and both of them told me they feel very vulnerable letting people into their studios. Although they tell me they love their work, and feel like they've found their true calling, they both said that at times they feel like maybe, just maybe, their work isn't good enough. Instead of feeling successful and at ease, they sometimes feel insecurity. One even told me she's waiting for someone to find out that she isn't really "all that." I must tell you, I was shocked. Here are two very accomplished artists feeling the same feelings that I have felt, and maybe some of you have felt the same way too.
Putting ourselves "out there" through our art is difficult. It can make us feel vulnerable. We feel exposed. What if nobody likes it? What if nobody comes? What if I'm not good enough? For many of us, our public persona is slightly, or greatly, different from our private persona. We tend to put up walls - some high, some not so high, but walls just the same. When we put our art into the world we are exposing ourselves. Our art reveals who we really are, how we see things, and possibly what we were feeling when we created our art.
This summer, as you visit museums, galleries, art shows, and festivals, remember to give those featured artists a little bit of love. Remember that they are feeling some insecurities as they show themselves to the world. Remember that they have the same fears as we do, but they took that leap, summoned their courage, and shared themselves.
We create because it's part of who we are. Show the world who you are. Don't be afraid to pull those paintings out at the next family get-together. Post your photos on a photo sharing site. Hang your work in your home for everyone to see. Enter your work in a contest. Hang your work in a gallery. Professional and amateur alike, we all feel the same insecurities. Don't let those feelings stop YOU from sharing yourself.
"Creativity takes courage." -Henri Matisse-
