It seems like wherever we are in our art making, we always want to be someplace better. Often, our art or our ability to make our art feels inadequate.
And it doesn’t feel so good. The real problem, however, is that this discontent sometimes never goes away. If we are not careful it can follow us around. It sits just out of sight with us in the studio when we are making our art and it even can follow us home if we let it.
Never feeling good enough is pervasive. Lots of people have this feeling.
It takes time to change this habitual way of thinking. But it is worth it if it even partially brings back the joy, and the ease of making your art again. If we can, then there exists the real possibility of bringing amazing, personal artwork into the world. This issue, this feeling of not being happy with where we are presently, needs some attention.
Here is how I like to reframe the narrative so that I can feel more content with where I am…
There is a very, very long road. It starts at the bottom of a valley and gradually winds its way up hills, and then eventually, it goes all the way to the very tip top of the mountain.
This pathway or road represents the entire creative journey you may take in your life. When you start exploring the possibility of making art you are in the very beginning. As one climbs this pathway the view becomes greater. The experience is heightened because it is more expansive in beauty and vistas the higher you go. You can see more and more. It can take years, decades, a lifetime even to climb this road.
The most fantastic thing is to be on the road. It doesn’t matter where you are on the road, only that you are on it. Some people are further up the road and others are further down the road. Your place on the road has more to do with time spent walking, not talent. Even though the road slowly gets better the further along the road you go, you don’t want to short change yourself by magically appearing someplace further up the road than where you are right now.
Each and every step forward is to be savored, because you will never get to move through this part of the road again. You get to do each part only once in your lifetime. You never get to go backwards. Only forward.
Here are just a few of the first steps possibly encountered along this path:
The first time you realize you can make art, the first time someone that matters loves what you have made, the first time it feels hard then incredibly easy, the first time you have a show or you give something you made away as a gift, the first time you teach someone something you have learned, the first time you get interviewed, your first solo show, and especially the unforgettable moment when for the first time, you know in your heart of hearts, that you are an artist
There are of course infinite steps you get to take but the most important thing to remember is that you don’t want to miss any of them.
The value of the next step you are about to take or discover is in part determined by the prior step.
So in this scenario, if you can imagine wherever you are on the road right now, then why would you feel you want to be anywhere else? The reason you are not at mile 50 is because you are only at mile 25. It has nothing to do with talent, lucky breaks, tailwinds, money etc.
What has helped me is to take all my dissatisfaction, my impatience and all the limiting negative thoughts about where I think I ought to be and re focus back to what I am making and where I am right now. Not surprisingly, this frees up a lot of energy, which now can be channeled back into your art.
So if you feel that sinking feeling of judgment or dissatisfaction creeping back in, take a breath and re look at what you are making right now. Take a chance, re commit to making it the best thing you have ever made so far. Savor this moment, this opportunity because it actually will never be here again in this certain way.
Do you sometimes feel dissatisfied too? What do you do about it?
19 Comments
Hi! I’m
Nicholas Wilton
the founder of Art2Life.
With over 20 years experience as a working artist and educator, I’ve developed a systematic approach that brings authenticity, spontaneity and joy back into the creative process.
Join me and artists from all over the world in our Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group or learn more here about Art2Life.
I often feel dissatisfied with my painting. I’ve slowly been learning that I need to paint every day even if I don’t like the results – for weeks on end sometimes. Staying in the moment with my painting is difficult because I am having difficulty staying in the truth of my life right now. It is all artlife. Feeling so blessed to be part of this community ’cause you’all know what I’m talkin’ bout!
This came at such a good time for me, thank you! It popped into my inbox and made me pause. I have ground to a halt with everything – painting, writing, music. It seems futile even to set up. And yet the feelings are still there, the itch, the ache. I just don’t know how to get the positivity back………I will reflect on what you said.
Thank you…when you listed all the “firsts,” it made me feel like I am on the road…not ‘there” yet, but certainly travelling.
” Take a chance, re commit to making it the best thing you have ever made
so far. Savor this moment, this opportunity because it actually will
never be here again in this certain way.” LOVED that. I actually started a painting that I wanted to turn into a series of paintings and perhaps into a children’s book. The project seems overwhelming. And due to a day job that is stress full, I come home drained. Your post has inspired me to figure out how to find the time to complete this idea. Perhaps it is just a matter of doing it and stop making excuses. Ha, I think that was a previous lesson you posted.
Thanks for all your inspiring life lessons.
Thank you. So often I think that the only thing that is important is selling my artwork, that selling is what makes me an artist. It is important for me to go back to the very reason I make art – because it gives me joy, and creates a space of holiness around me – it is my world, and my journey. Thanks for the reminder.
so needed to read this today….regain balance with mind body and spirit to move forward…so perfect and great timing.
I would like to add to this. Art making can be about your emotion so it can opens the door to your feelings and memories. My mother is 96 and she just is a woodblock of a memory from her childhood. It is freighted with emotion and I know this is helping her process her feelings about her life, and death. She has been at the peak of the art making mountain for so long she is facing the ultimate purpose of art to life everyday.
This is such a good reminder! Thank you…
I totally needed this today. Thank you, Nicholas.
Thanks for this! Sometimes if I’m thinking I’m “only” at about mile 5, the “only” screams loudest. As I read your post I realized if I savor all the firsts I am having now, and edit that sentence in my mind to eliminate the “only”, I feel just fine about where I am and can experience the joys of beginnerhood. Actually it’s pretty exciting here at mile 5.
Thank you. As I read your lists of firsts, I realized how special each of those were. And that I actually moving on the path. I don’t always think it is straight up. I have had slip backs along the way. Sometimes I just stop for a while to regroup. Sometimes I try a new class or instructor. Sometimes incorporate a new technique. Paint with others. Looking back at my art. We are all on our journey.
When I feel dissatisfied, I go looking for stimulation, such as art books, art shows, the museum of art.
Maybe I take a break from it and come back with fresh ideas.
Thank you – it is so good to hear that all artists have this fear…If I get stuck with negative thoughts I like to go right back to basics and take away all the pressures of producing work to sell or making a fabulous groundbreaking painting. Just picking up charcoal, a putty rubber and a big piece of paper and then working from life with nothing to aim for other than being present in the process can be like a holiday from the critical mind. I love social media but I do think it can create unrealistic expectations of the ‘life of an artist’ and tempt us away from our own paths.
I have been struggling with sudden illness that has grounded me for over a month. It has felt like decimation. I should be preparing a show, but I am on a debilitating – albeit temporary -drug regimen. Radical acceptance is being demanded of me as I step off the path and aginize how and when to baby step my way back to it. So wildly painful! Your reminder helps.
To anyone else similarly struggling and in such circumstances, I wish you a joyful return to your lifeline path as soon as possible. Thank you Nic.
I am the queen of low self-esteem and always questioning my work. It’s normal for me to go days without visiting my studio because life just steps in and responsibilities have other plans for me. This adds to the frustration of not being able to show up. Nick, your words are always said with such kindness and encouragement that seem to soften the blow when road blocks appear. I will carry these thoughts you shared today as I actually have a studio day. Find the joy of paint on my hands (clothes, face, in my hair, etc!). I need to remember it’s not a competition but more of a place of inner self and opportunity to express with paint what so many others never even get the chance to do. No matter where we are on that road, it should be a good place. You remind me to take joy in that. Thank you for always being so kind and real with your readers. It is such a welcome change. Peace & love…Susie Seitz King
A beautiful way to look at one’s life this way! What a poignant & touching post! Thank you!!!
As always, your posts are ever so timely. Thank you for this Nick. Those negative voices in my head have been really loud lately.
I recently found out that someone who seems to have ALL the confidence in the world has this very issue, as do I. So many of us feel this and it is a struggle. Thanks for the uplift Nicholas!
Your thoughts on appreciating where one is on the road….just what I needed. Much gratitude.