Things My Artist Friends Have Taught Me
I have the uncommon and completely indulgent opportunity to hang out with a bunch of artists. The writing group I attend is full of talented women who do things like write, paint, and make mosaics. Their day jobs include art therapy, spiritual direction and physical therapy – so it’s a very nurturing group! There are also a lot of artists at Monkfish Abbey, and not a few in the Women’s Circle I’ve just joined. I’ve been getting a lot of decent advice and good old fashioned camaraderie.
I know not everyone is as fortunate to have such serendipitous connections. So to assuage my guilt, I’ll pass some of the goodness along as best as I’m able. Here’s what I’ve learned from my artist friends.
1) Everyone thinks what they have to say is “already out there.” Therefore everyone questions the needfulness and value of their own work.
2) Being “in transition,” “in a discernment process,” or “at loose ends,” isn’t a sign of immaturity or general flakiness. Rather, it’s the necessary state-of-being for an artist. This is because art is about creation and therefore requires process not stasis. (Culture, on the other hand, says that you should know what you want to be at 18, pick a major, get a job, and stay the course ad infinitum. Well I say, “Nuts to you bub!”)
3) It’s not uncommon to worry about wasting time/money/paper/art supplies. Neither it is unheard of to worry that you are using some irreplaceable piece of ephemera in the “wrong” piece of work, that you are using a particularly good story in the “wrong” piece of writing, etc. With practice, and through the stories of other artists, you’ll soon find that this worry is a waste of energy, and that in truth, nothing is ever wasted. (Repeat after me: NOTHING is ever wasted.)
4) Rapid cycle manic-depressive type behavior is not uncommon and usually follows this pattern:
“I feel so great about this piece of work!”
This brief euphoria is rapidly followed by:
“Everything I do is shit.” and/or “I’ll never have another good idea again.”
This thought pattern, while not particularly helpful, is in fact within the range of normal (for artists, at least.) Just ride the wave and wait for the next upswing
5) It is very helpful for beginning artists to have a collection of non-competitive, like-minded artists who can “hold space” for you (Jen Lemen’s phrase) while “something good is trying to get born.” (Anne Lamott’s phrase.)
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May the Source who has an infinite supply of what you truly need bring who you need into your world as you practice the discipline of Creation.
Shalom!
Rachelle
Love these descriptions; I feel them all - as a musician, as a hack photographer, as a hack writer. Heck, I quit pursuing jazz saxophone performance after college when I realized that I was just good enough to be boring, and not good enough to express myself how I wanted. What a crappy realization
It’s also interesting to me how closely these descriptions capture the teaching/preaching pastor portion of my expression as well.
:)
I didn’t realize I was an artist, but I resonate with everything you’ve written here. Perhaps I am an artist then, especially since I’m constantly hoping for the wonderful infusion of spirit and creativity that make my work and life come alive! Good stuff, thanks for sharing.
A timely blessing which I will hold tight to
thanx
Thanks for this Rachelle - I may print it out and hang it on my refrigerator. And I’m a little jealous of your writing group…
this is great and very helpful! keep it coming!
i feel better just being in the same sentence with anne lamott.
I loved this … as a quilter and textile artist I really, really resonated with … well … all of it. Especially the rapid cycling of moods. I’m in the middle of a wedding quilt right now … and … right at the moment it’s ALL WRONG. But yesterday it was beautiful. I just have to keep my vision and the couple in mind and it will be right. Thank you so very much for passing it all along … I’m going to share it with my other quilty friends.:-)
Nicely said. As the mother of three young children and the major breadwinner in the home, I long for the day when I can spend more time surrounded by my artist friends. You’re lucky to have that. I’ll have it again someday - I just have to wait for it.
By the way, I tried to add a comment to your last post - about how jealous I am that you got to meet the high priestess herself - but it didn’t like me and rejected my comment. In any case, I’m insanely jealous. Few people gave me as much freedom and encouragement as Anne Lamott (through her writing, not in person
.
thanks for the inspiration - I needed this today. A great reminder of the “creative process” and what is in the realm of “normal”, I often feel completely insane in the work of developing community - which I would describe much more as “art” than corporate “function”.
Rachelle, loved your thoughts here. Belonging to an artists collective myself, the words ring so true.
If you don’t mind I’ll share them on our space http://poasis.blogspot.com/ , we as faith communities need to invest alot more in the arts, creativity and imagination. Shalom…Ron+
This has to be one of the most encouraging things I have read on being an artist. Thank you so much.