Making Art Is Not Always Easy (That’s A Good Thing!)

My inbox is always packed with beautiful emails from Creative Hearts across the world asking me questions about creativity, teaching, business, blogging and many other thoughtful questions related to being an Artist.  I thought it would be super fun to turn your questions into a blog series.

After hours and hours of brainstorming I came up with the creative name of “Ask Connie” to title this series! So If you too have a question that you would love for me to answer please click the cute little graphic below to fill out the form! I can’t wait to hear from you!

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Today’s question comes from Amy who recently emailed me from her home in Korea.  Amy asks:

Dear Amy,

Making art is not always easy and process painting can be a real pain in the ass sometimes.

Process painting is notorious for bringing up insecurities, fears, and all those emotions you were certain you were done with years ago.

But this is actually a good thing.  This is where you get your bang for the buck!

When we make art focused on process with the intention to use it as a path to self discovery than  obstacles are there to lead us deeper.

Paint that dries too fast or too slow becomes a safe place to observe what our mental and emotional patterns are when things aren’t going our way.  From there we can begin to empower ourselves and most of all heal.

What it means to teach process over product is that:

The materials we use are the vessel for self discovery.  Not by how we use the materials, but rather our relationship to those materials as we use them.

A few common things that the painting process tends to stir up are:

• how well we think we can or can’t paint,
• if we are worthy to be an artist or not
• hurtful things people have said about our creativity
• worrying about what others around you must think
• worrying that the teacher will judge you
• plain old fear to move forward and follow your heart

Amy, my suggestion is to not bring any attention to the fact that the paint is going to dry fast in Chad. Don’t do anything to manipulate the paint in any way because this will only enforce attention on the product and take away from the immediacy of the process.

Instead, be ready to provide your students with the tools and safe space to embrace their own inner obstacles they might experience due to the paint drying too fast or whatever shenanigans the painting process will invoke.

And know that I think you are absolutely awesome for going out into the world and bringing creativity to women!! My heart is with you each brushstroke of the way!

With Great Love,

Connie

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