Cassie Bell is an artist on Etsy who creates beautiful beaded sun catchers and silk velvet stuffed cats. I own four of her pieces now -- two of each -- and if I didn't watch myself I'd probably spend all my money at her shop. There's something about what she creates that speaks to me. She captures light. She sculpts velvet. What an amazing aesthetic she has.
I don't know what to call my own art. I've never thought much about what it is, other than many things and all over the place. It certainly makes me happy. I just do it and hope that, whatever I create, the love and care I pour into it comfort and entertain and inspire someone else. I'm not important, really. For me the art is what matters. The people who buy or receive it are, too. If I can say this without sounding like an idiot, it's not personal to me. My self-esteem is not based on my art.
There is no right or wrong attitude toward your art; there's only what inspires and motivates you. Some folks need it to be about themselves rather than the joy of creation or giving or contributing some beauty to the world. I'm not like that, probably because there was no one but me involved in my artistic development until I turned pro.
Here's what I've observed over the years I've been a professional writer and amateur quilter: when art is more about the artist than what they create or the people they create it for, then the artist ends up disappointed and unhappy. When I realized this, it finally made sense of why so many creative types -- no matter how gifted they are -- become so miserable. It becomes all about them, and everything involved in the art does become very personal and directly affects the self-esteem. Over time the art dwindles away or becomes painful or even impossible to create. Not judging, mind you -- I've just seen this happen over and over again.
So today's thought is to take the artistic ego out of the equation and just let your art be your art. Find a way to do what you love, love what you do, and share it with the world whenever and however you can. I think you'll probably be much happier. :)
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I do art or drawing or writing or quilting or any number of other things because it makes me happy. I don't really care what others think (though I suspect, if I were published, I'd have to care from a sales perspective.) Sadly, too many people find their worth in what they do rather than who they are.