Letting go of your art
when it's time to let go
of your art
dear beautiful soul,
My online show last weekend was magical and we almost sold out! (just one painting left, which you can find HERE). I am so humbled and grateful for all the love, the supportive comments and everyone's appreciation of my art. You have no idea what it means to an artist, to find an audience who "gets it". A truly special thank you to all of you who have purchased a piece (or several!), thanks to you, my art can fulfil its purpose of spreading light and love around the world.
Which brings me to today's topic! Several of you have sent me sweet messages or comments asking how I could let go of some of my paintings. My apologies if I didn't reply personally, please consider this post to be written for you! In my previous article, I shared that in this year's show, I decided to include several artworks that were especially meaningful to me: paintings from my early days, or paintings that had been a significant milestone on my journey.
soul and purpose
The first thing, maybe, is that I believe that every artwork has a soul. Just like a person, it has a certain energy, a unique personality, and it comes to life for a reason. Its journey starts with me, the artist, and sometimes its first purpose is to make me grow. Paintings are the best teachers!
I created this one, called "Fall" (above) in my very first year of painting mixed media art. Even though I didn't realize it until recently, this piece was a foundational step towards finding my unique voice as an artist: it is full of playful experiments, a whimsy vibe and a touch of grunge, layers of light and shadow, collage, jewel-like colors and a deep connection to nature... all these elements are still part of my style today! And I owe it in part to this painting.
For a long time, I didn't even think of parting with it. But recently, it's been whispering that it was time. In fact, taking it off my storage shelf and considering it for the show, is when I finally realized its key importance on my path. Looking at it with new eyes, I can now see that it embodies the idea that even as a beginner, you hold the seeds of so much more. I am so grateful for this painting AND I'm so happy to have just sent it off to its new home! Its work with me is done, it has given me so much, and I like to imagine that from now on, its playful energy will bring creative inspiration to someone else.
“Ideas have no material body, but they do have consciousness, and they most certainly have will. Ideas are driven by a single impulse: to be made manifest. And the only way an idea can be made manifest in our world is through collaboration with a human partner. It is only through a human’s efforts that an idea can be escorted out of the ether and into the realm of the actual.”
empty-nester
In a way, our art is like our children. They come to life through us, but they don't belong to us. And eventually, when the time is right, they are meant to live a life of their own. Yesterday I finally packaged and shipped another very dear piece, called Compassion (above). To me, there's something more intense about portraits, emotionally. From creating them, never really knowing "who" is going to show up on the canvas, to eventually letting them go. A portrait feels more like a person, and the connection can be more obvious. These two ladies have been part of my life, and our family life, for a long time!
But ever since we moved, a few years ago, I couldn't find the perfect spot for them in our new-old home. Paintings have a mind of their own, I know that for sure, and a lot of wisdom too, when you pay attention to their whispers. I've known for a while that my girls were meant to fly away, that it was time to let them go, but it doesn't mean it wasn't hard! I did feel a pang yesterday when William took the parcel to the post office, yet it didn't last long, because the joy was SO much bigger. I know this painting will bring so much love and good vibes into its new home. Knowing this fills my heart with happy flutters, a sense of completion, and pride to have fulfilled my mission.
“The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them.”
the big why
There are many ways to step onto the artist path, and they're all valuable. Not everyone is meant to make it their profession. You're no less of an artist if you create just for your own enjoyment, and keep your art forever, just for you (although please do find a way to share a glimpse of it with the world!).
But when you feel called to making art your life, your work, your job, then it's a different commitment. The moment I started making art (in my late-blooming thirties), I knew very clearly that this was my true purpose, my life mission, my contribution to the world. I make art because I know that we can, in a very real way, create love, joy, hope, beauty, compassion and peace right there on the canvas. We can channel pure, positive energy and let it radiate out into the world so it can have a positive impact and magical ripple effects. That's why I make art, that's why I teach art, that's why I write this blog and share it all online. That's my Why.
I also knew very early on that the art I created was not meant for me (except for a very few pieces). When I paint a painting, I can feel right from the start that it is meant for a special person. To bring light and inspiration into their lives. I don't know who, or where, or when, but I know. The wonderful side-effect of this mystery is that I can fully trust the process. Sure, the art comes to life through my heart and hands, but I'm not fully responsible for it… which takes a lot of the pressure off! It's like channeling fairy dust into a physical form.
So there you have it: that's why I can, and LOVE to let go of my art. When the art fulfils its mission, and I fulfil mine, that's one of the best feelings in the world.
Whether you sell it, gift it or donate it, is it easy for you to let go of your art? How about when YOU welcome a new artwork, from another artist, into your life? How does it feel? Let me know in a comment below!
You can now view most of my original art on a single page. Enjoy!
layers of light
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