Art

I was talking with a colleague the other day about art, and the creation of art. We were talking about how we were grateful for down days and for demonstrations. The reason we are grateful is because we get to create. Teachers often get so busy doing administrative stuff and do not get to work on their own art.

We talked about how the lack of creation brings a type of depression. Artists are meant to create. Teaching is meant to demonstrate a higher level of skill. Maintenance and improvement of skill is difficult to do when focus is put on other duties. Another dynamic that is added is plates we have spinning outside of our jobs.

He looks forward to sketch days, and I look forward to demonstrations and quiet time in the early morning and late afternoon hours of the day. It is in this time we come to be in our element. All of the garbage washes away. The only two things in the room are ourselves and whatever we are creating. We become one with our art, and we leave a piece of ourselves in it.

Another thought from recent experiences:
In every artists life there appear moments. We are copied, criticized, or a host of other things. At that time, we need to decide how we are going to handle it. Will we lash out? Will we cower? Will we put our frustration into our work?

One day I had someone say, "I can't be you! I can't compare to you!" Um, duh! We will never compare to those around us, because we, like art, are unique. No two people are made the same.

It is flattering someone would want to emulate our personal work of art. But they will never accomplish it because there is no recipe. We are not meant to be copies of one another because that would be boring. We may be able to do a VanGogh paint by numbers, but it will never be his Sunflower painting.

We, like art, will not be like another person. Our unique features make us valuable. No matter how much effort is exuded into replication, it will not happen. So, it's best to accept yourself for the work of art you are, imperfections and all.