Often the bleakness and chaos of the world around us can immobilize us and generate a feeling of malaise, helplessness ..and well..fear. Perhaps we might feel that it is impossible to make art in such times yet..
I discover a quiet nurturing place in my art making. I can focus on my lines when I draw .. or the colour and brush strokes when I paint -or the paper images when I collage. I notice how my body responds by letting go of the tension. Yesterday I took an hour or so to draw a story in comic style from my daily life . It made me smile as we have been observing numerous wildlife feasting on our chicken feed recently . It’s been snowy and frigid -and such a treat to see a selection of birds, an opossum, and a giant squirrel(!)
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Drawing in my comic sketch book is strictly for my own pleasure
When I have spoken to other artists, particularly of “my vintage” I learn how much we have been influenced over the years to stick to the program. ..That to achieve success,validity and fulfilment as an artist one must :
Have a solo exhibit in a gallery
Sell lots of art
Be published in an art journal or review
Accomplish or cultivate authority through fame
There of course is the notion of a starving artist and the successful artist..It seems that many of us lie somewhere in between .
In our Jetpack club meetup on Sunday we discussed this notion of who we make art for..
I found it refreshing to hear from our artist members that there is a certain freedom with time and age that liberates us from having to conform to what others may expect from us. The freedom to refuse to be a follower - and to reject what may be a popular trend that doesn’t fit our practise. It’s not as if we work at what we love for someone else’s definition of success. Success starts to look a bit different in this time of life. I believe we are more likely to embrace our art making with a new sort of fearlessness . Ultimately it feels like the pleasure our practise offers us can be the driving force for how much we devote time for this purpose. There is a new value that settles in that reminds us that we heal and grow when we try new things creative. Here’s hoping that we aim to be kind and gentle to ourselves . Setting aside the time we need to make art and viewing it as a priority. The dishes and dust (and sometimes the ever present needs of others)can wait.
Making art also helps us cope with stressors in our lives and overload of responsibilities -and in responding to the ills in the world. I feel its so important to keep on creating through challenging times as art can bring us back into a personal zone of peace.. I believe it offers meaning to our existence .
We might also be more accepting of ourselves when our desire to make art ebbs and flows .
drawing 100 people in a month..a personal challenge!
Perhaps we want to do this differently . Less hurried , less hectic, with less pressure. Life ahead of us is indeed shorter than what is behind us . How do we best spend this precious time after a lifetime of working and giving to others?
When I worked in Social work ( my other career up until three years ago) I used to find my art making on weekends so refreshing/nourishing. Rather than exhaust me it fueled me and set me in balance to deal with the next week ! Now I find myself setting up my space in order to remember to make some kind of art on a regular basis..
I love this link by artist @Helen Reynolds which speaks to how we perceive and balance our self focused art making time and our times spent serving others :
I know it is often more difficult if one has been a caregiver for many years and or career focused person to protect personal time -even as a retiree - to make art for just for oneself.
Societally we are geared and hardwired to produce for economic gain . I believe we can also enjoy the thrill of showing our art publically and selling our art to those who appreciate our craft. We can thrive when we have opportunities to connect with other artists. We can continue to learn and try new styles and media! The new gift of time presents us with options we never may have had before. In these precious years art may be a way to augment your income -or it might be a place that you can relish the magic of creating just because it gives back. Both are valid courses to follow -and often converge!
If your head and heart are heavy then you know there is a place just for you to play and let your mind drift to a softer place.
However you make art … Keep Making It !
It’s so good for you.
Thanks so much for reading Ageless Artist!
Heather
A Short (and Sweet )Spring Art Sale
I have a rare and brief sale in my art shop online . It’s Spring cleaning in my studio ! Today( March 7 ) until Monday only. 35% off all art ( originals and prints -final order must be $45 or over before discount) Shipping included in North America simply use the discount code J4J5T3. Why not drop by and take a look :-)
When my children were young and living at home I worked hard as an artist and it could be said, gained relative success. Now they’ve all flown the nest I feel it’s time to focus on making art just for myself and not worrying about selling. I’m not sure if it’s having less energy now I’m older or maybe it’s a mindset change. I love bringing people joy from my colourful art, this is reward enough for me. Thankyou for a lovely post.☺️
Thank you for this Heather! Just recently it occurred to me that I am again a professional artist. I am learning to let go of the guilt of making time for art and relaxing into the process without feeling like I need to rush because time is limited. Right now I think is the time to let our art speak. I am doing a series of portraits of women who are angry and fed up. I believe it is allowing me to express the feelings I am currently having around the state of the country and the world. As artists we can find refuge, and should! Gotta go paint now!
When my children were young and living at home I worked hard as an artist and it could be said, gained relative success. Now they’ve all flown the nest I feel it’s time to focus on making art just for myself and not worrying about selling. I’m not sure if it’s having less energy now I’m older or maybe it’s a mindset change. I love bringing people joy from my colourful art, this is reward enough for me. Thankyou for a lovely post.☺️
Thank you for this Heather! Just recently it occurred to me that I am again a professional artist. I am learning to let go of the guilt of making time for art and relaxing into the process without feeling like I need to rush because time is limited. Right now I think is the time to let our art speak. I am doing a series of portraits of women who are angry and fed up. I believe it is allowing me to express the feelings I am currently having around the state of the country and the world. As artists we can find refuge, and should! Gotta go paint now!
Just what I needed to read today, thanks!