(Editor’s note: this is published to maybe get some of us off dead center and involved with the inner workings of fellow sculptors’ minds).
Lately, in the midst of sculpting, I have taken time to listen, hear my thoughts, and feel my feelings. I’ve found that my passions are interwoven with my fears, each competes for my undivided attention, and leaves a wake that is, darn it, troubling and familiar. Granted, I may want to believe I’m immune, or too mature, too sophisticated, too educated, too shy or too confident to feel or hear my internal anxiety. And yet, there is that Little Voice, every time I step foot into my studio, or a gallery, or sculptor’s meeting, or wherever! Eric Maisel, author of Fearless Creating, put it succinctly: “If you are to create, you must invite anxiety in.”
So I am moved to ask other artists, does anxiety trouble your creative process, and how do you work with it?
As a group, what might it look like to share those experiences? I have the impression we walk on common ground, and it might be fun, albeit scary, to explore fear and the creative process together.
In pondering the wealth of support inherent in our mission together, I wanted to broach this subject of the Little Voice and see what might emerge through our collective discussion. At our meetings, how might this topic be incorporated? My experience, in other groups, is that such disclosure can lead to greater trust and appreciation for one another. Yes, I know the risk of exposing myself on the thruway of art goes both directions - it can be inspiring or unnerving. Whatever shadows are pushing against me are just the starting points, with my Little Voice just aching to say something. So whether I put that message into a piece of art or a conversation, it still demonstrates power, passion, and magic to assist my journey to reveal more layers of myself.
What do you think and feel about your Little Voice? Would you be willing to share a part of that during our meetings or online? Something simple, like:
What is your view of success and failure?
What are your goals and ambitions?
How do you value gallery or show sales, commissions, awards, and local or national critiques?
Do you have biases? (figurative-abstract-wildlife-minimalist-modern-whatever)? Why?
When are your buttons pushed? How do you react? What wisdom will you offer?
No doubt this pond could be quite deep and intriguing to explore. My selfish Little Voice not only wants to be heard, it is curious and also wants to understand yours. A sculptor in the PNWS group (pnwsculptors.org) encouraged me to write, so I have stuck out my neck, and the view from the precipice is inviting! Get in touch with me: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (503) 267-8703.
