Artistic Authenticity
"Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go who we think we are supposed to be and embracing who we are" - Brene Brown
Embracing Artistic Authenticity: Unlocking Your Creative Courage
What is Artistic Authenticity
Artistic Authenticity involves the process of opening up and expressing ourselves through creativity. It's not about seeking approval or praise. It goes much deeper, requiring the bravery to be yourself in the world. Authenticity demands courage. It involves taking risks and not conforming to popular opinion. It doesn't aim to shock others. It simply exists. It's like a caged tiger pacing, waiting for the cage to open so it can roam freely. Unlike the tiger, only you can open the door to your authenticity. If your door is always open, congratulations! If not, and you wish to be authentic, you must open the door. The door isn't locked; it's just closed.
Why is my door closed?
I often grapple with maintaining artistic authenticity. Numerous challenges arise even before I reach for the paintbrush. An inner critic constantly nags me as I gaze at my blank white watercolor paper. It mocks, "No one will appreciate this." "You lack the necessary talent!" "You're a fraud!" "You couldn't create something original even if you tried your entire life!" "You should just quit!" "You're terrible!" My inner voice is incredibly harsh. It's surprising that I manage to paint at all! I must confess, this voice has triumphed more frequently than it ought to.
If we're fortunate, those inner voices fade as we start the process of creating.
Every artist aspires to create a piece that captivates and profoundly affects people. The only way I know to genuinely care about my work is by being authentic. For me, fostering authenticity in my art is a process. Here are some steps I follow to release my true authentic self from its confines.
Cherish Your Work
If you don't care about what you're creating, no one else will either. Instead of making work you think you "should" be doing, focus on what truly matters to you. I enjoy watching Project Runway, where clothing designers compete to craft the best outfit for their model. Models showcase the designers' latest creations on the runway before a panel of judges who critique each design. Every week, designers wrestle with staying true to themselves, torn between their own vision and what the judges expect. The judges are most impressed when a designer takes bold risks and fully commits to their vision. These risk-takers often emerge as the winners. Those who succumb to the pressure of pleasing the judges and lose their personal touch ultimately fail. This show highlights the importance of staying true to oneself as an artist. Starting a new piece with the intention of pleasing others dilutes its impact. Valuing your work means prioritizing your own opinions over others'. Guidance is helpful, but authenticity lies in trusting your own expression.
Authenticity Killers
Expressing authenticity in your work can be emotionally challenging. Fear undermines authenticity. You might worry about others' opinions or fear ridicule. The fear of exposing yourself to the world can be immobilizing. Creating authentic work makes you vulnerable to rejection. Sometimes, those closest to you might comment on your work, asking questions like "Why is his hair blue?" or "Is that a house, or a bird?" This can lead to self-doubt. Often, your partner or family may prefer a different style of art than what you create. In such cases, it's better to listen to those who understand you and your work. When you can withstand criticism without falling apart, you can open yourself to critiques. Artistic authenticity can be hindered by comparing yourself to other artists you consider "better" than you. Comparing can make you feel like an imposter. Each artist has their own unique expression. No two people are identical. Even twins have differences. Our authentic expressions are inevitably individual as well.
Lack of self-love undermines authenticity. I've realized that the degree to which I don't love myself is the same as the degree to which I don't love my paintings. While some of you might not struggle with self-love, it has been a significant obstacle for me. Through therapy, meditation, and extensive reading, I am finally beginning to embrace self-love, enabling me to look at my paintings with pride and affection for the first time.
Paying attention to the inner critic can impede authenticity. Dwelling on potential failures makes it difficult to start. This negative self-talk is a habit developed to shield you from harm as you matured, but it no longer benefits you. Write down everything your inner critic says, then craft a positive affirmation for each negative thought, even if you don't believe it yet. Write your affirmations in the present tense and say them aloud. For instance, if the negative voice tells you, "Your work is not relevant," counter with, "My work is in demand and timely." Consistently doing this will form a new habit that offers substantial advantages. You'll find it easier to begin a project as the negativity barrier is significantly reduced.
How to Find Your Authenticity
How can you genuinely express what you are creating? There's a lot of noise, especially on social media, advising you on how to achieve success. It's tempting to heed this advice and reshape yourself to meet external expectations or gain more likes on Instagram. Perhaps you doubt that your voice will be appreciated. Maybe it's too dark and moody, too eccentric, too bright, or not bright enough. These doubts may lead us to imitate someone else's style. It appears safer, less risky, and more profitable. However, if we aren't authentic, we may eventually lose interest in creating altogether.
I've always been fascinated by the newest trends. Similar to a crow attracted to shiny things, I moved from one fashionable style to the next. I would lose interest until a new trend emerged. I found it difficult to believe that my voice would be significant. It was challenging for me to see how my work fit into this ever-changing world. I tried to change my style to mimic artists I admired. Each time I did, I felt like a fraud.
At present, I unwind outdoors in my hammock, either listening to the birds or watching the trees gracefully sway as the wind whispers through the leaves. I record in my journal all the thoughts that fill my mind, things that inspire and bring happiness to my life. Consider treating yourself to an artist date, as Julia Cameron recommends in her book, The Artist's Way. I've begun visiting museums in Paris every Wednesday. These visits have been incredibly inspiring. I've discovered that I prefer impressionism over abstraction and choose expressionism and surrealism over pop art. I value art that stirs emotion. These outings have helped me learn moe about myself. I've been told my work resembles that of the impressionists. I am tempted to worry that this style might be outdated. I am learning to embrace what I love despite external pressure to be more modern. I have come to believe that whatever I create will be meaningful to someone. Your passion may not resonate with everyone, but there will be those who are inspired, moved, and touched by your genuine artistic authenticity.
Improve Your Skills
Getting acquainted with your specific medium is crucial. You can express your authenticity more precisely with a confident stroke or line, rather than an uncertain one. Without practice, your expression becomes more focused on your abilities or lack thereof. Keep evolving and improving by taking courses and learning new things. This prevents you from becoming stagnant, trapped in a time warp, or bored. Conversely, a lack of skill might also benefit you. I taught painting to senior citizens for years and was consistently amazed by their beautiful expression despite having no prior experience. A singer doesn't need perfect pitch to create a great song. Remember when watching figure skating at the Olympics was more enjoyable? Thirty-five years ago, skating emphasized artistry and creativity. Today, it is mostly about technicality, leaving little room for creativity.
Some of the finest art comes from children. It is incredibly free and genuine. Just continue to create. Don't be concerned about your skill level. Your expression will stand out and touch others.
Tools to Inspire
I am not completely immune to the obstacles that hinder authenticity. However, I have discovered some useful tools that help me express my true self. One of them is Audible books: I listen to inspirational books like The Creative Act by Rick Rubins. His encouraging words and soothing voice, followed by a meditation bell, keep my head in the right place while painting. Recently, I found meditation to be very beneficial. I wasn't aware of the multitude of harmful messages I was telling myself until I tried quieting them through the practice of meditation. Sometimes, I will listen to music. or pour a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and take a few sips. For me, these tools inspire more freedom and help to drown out negativity. You need to find what works for you. It might be dancing first, screaming loudly, running around the block, reciting positive affirmations or whatever helps you feel freer. It's important to enter the creative process with a positive mindset.
Change is Inevitable
If you have been painting for some time, you might find that others are not pleased when you grow and evolve. I've encountered this in my commission work, losing money from long-standing clients due to my evolution and change. Earlier clients often prefer my previous style. Maintaining a consistent style can be beneficial if you're focused on building a brand, developing a cohesive body of work, and ultimately earning money.
Restricting yourself to a single path in your work due to concerns that others might not value your new creations could diminish your passion for painting. It's important to find a balance.
Everyone wants their work to be loved.
Everyone desires admiration and affection from others. After creating something, you want to share it to gauge others' opinions. We hope they will appreciate it as much as we do. Sometimes they will, sometimes they won't. Regardless, your expression is valid because it originates from your core. How can that be wrong? Remember, Van Gogh only sold one piece during his lifetime, and that was to his brother. Does this mean he lacked talent? I often wonder how he kept painting despite public indifference. Perhaps it was because he found personal satisfaction in his work without needing external approval. I like to think that was the reason. Today, Van Gogh's art resonates worldwide.
In conclusion, I think we simply need to continue working. Trying to figure everything out can be overwhelming and distracting. By creating frequently, we start to see parts of ourselves come through. Occasionally, I create something I find truly remarkable, though I'm unsure how it happens. Authenticity seems to emerge when I'm not even trying. We shouldn't worry about our style, whether someone will like it, if our work is relevant, or even if it is good. Every piece must be good because it comes from you. No one can judge it, nor should they. The key is to keep creating and trust that authenticity will naturally follow.
Quotes from other artists -
"There is no wrong way, there is only your way" Rick Rubins
"Creativity takes courage!" - Henri Matisse
"Here’s the irony: the more you create out of who you are, the more it will resonate with people. Because they will feel your struggle, your joy, your God, your pain, your story. - David Santistevan
“I put into my paintings everything I like.”
Pablo Picasso
“Your audience doesn’t know what it wants until you show it to them.”- Steve Jobs
Honest art has no aesthetic standard. It is only measured by its raw, unprocessed, and uncensored existence. It can be ugly and real. It can be stunning and empowered. It can look like a kindergartner drew it or it can resemble the work of a master painter. No matter its appearance, the level of honesty is the only factor that is important.
When we make honest art or we encourage others to make honest art, we are in the midst of authenticity and humanness. We are validating and affirming something far greater than appearance or success. We are tapping into our life force and affirming our birth right to a lived human experience. - Lisa Mitchell
"I would like to paint as the bird sings" - Claude Monet
Do you have certain ideas about what it means to do your art the “right way”? Maybe you’re a writer or a musician or a painter, but you are stuck in a pattern of defeat. Maybe you homeschool your babies or you teach in a public school classroom and your ideas of what it means to be a good teacher are keeping you from actually teaching. Allow yourself to figure out those tricks and quirks that bring the you out of you, even if they don’t look right. Are you allowing your own expectations to hinder you from freely expressing yourself? Is your idea of the right way keeping you from your best way? - Emily P. Freeman
Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.- Andy Warhol
Books to help:
The Creative Act By: Rick Rubins
The Artists Way: By Julia Cameron
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