Artists Mall

How often do we as artists cry out to be heard, seen, noticed?  How often do we need to make our mark?  Affect others?  How often does the necessity hit that we need to create an effect on the world or curl up in a ball and die?  How often, too, do we shy away from that very activity, wondering if our work is good enough to share with the Big World Out There?  What a dilemma that is.

I’ve recently gone through, and indeed am still going through this very thing.  It’s like I’m split down the middle.  One side of me dies when I’m not creating something.  What good am I if I’m not doing something to contribute to the world?  Even – what can I say to touch, move make a difference?  The other side of me says, “yeah but, what have you got to say that’s worth anything?”  Oh man, what a push-pull, rock-and-a-hard-place place to be in!  Like two giant voices in your head doing battle.  Which one will win??

Am I alone here?  Do any of you find yourself in the same conundrum? 

So, do I have a solution?  Partially, I think…but it’s not a magic wand.  It’s hard work.  Every, every day you must be willing to fight the negatives in your head, and realize that that “voice” is just trying to fight you, to stop you from shouting out with your true voice.

And – it’s important to help each other.  I would urge you to encourage your artist friends.  Say, “hey, I see you through your art.”  “I recognize you.”  “You are saying something to me.”  The artist doesn’t really ask for much.  He needs to be nurtured, though, like the tiny plant pushing through the earth.  This world we’re in, we artists, is a very delicate one, and we must care for each other.

My words here are only the beginning, and not even new.  I just had to say them – for myself if for no one else…pray indulge me.  And if I have made a difference to you “out there”, then I’ve done my job as an artist, and that makes me happy.

Ever Your Cheerleader,

Robin