Who Do You Think You Are?

An artist friend recently started showing her work. It's beautiful, interesting work and has been well-received. But she admitted to me that she doesn't feel sure of it. "I just keep wondering what people will think,"she told me. "Will they say 'who does she think she is?' Will they see that I don't really know what I'm doing?"For many people, this fear stops them from creating.  Non-artists don't understand this ... why would it be so frightening to apply paint on a canvas, or to draw in a sketchbook? But we get it. We understand why it's frightening.Because to express yourself is to open yourself up to judgment - your own and other peoples' (and there are always plenty of people ready to express an opinion of your work - even when you haven't asked for it).Far easier to not put pen to paper or brush to canvas. Far easier to imagine all the great work you could do than to try making something and be disappointed with the result.BUT.... I heard a really interesting quote the other day while listening to a talk on marketing. The speaker said "insecurity is just ego dressed up."Huh.Never thought of it that way but it's true.Any insecurity I feel about sharing my work is just me protecting my ego. Where there is no ego, there is no fear. Think about how small children show their work to others - they hold it out proudly with no conception of whether it is"good" or "bad." They made it and they love it and they show it to you certain that you will love it too.As adults we have to learn to feel the same way about what we make. To own it totally, to hold it out to the world and say "I made this."Because anything else is just ego. Our need to show everyone how talented we are. Our need to impress. Our need to have others admire us.If we let that go and just focus on making our art, just imagine how much we could produce.If you'd like to be notified of new posts, sign up for my weekly bulletin in the box at the bottom of this page. I never share your email address and I never send spam - just weekly arty goodness! And if you're up for joining a community of friendly, supportive artists, cone and join us in our private Facebook group.