Creative shame is never a sign of inherent lack; it is always the result of a collective failure to love and appreciate someone for who they are.
In my studio class today, several students expressed mixed feelings over the large amount of “realistic” artwork at a recent exhibition they participated in. They were able to see both sides of the argument for awarding work that seemed to skew in favor of hyperrealism and technical skill. And as frustrated as they remained, I think I was able to remind them that the best thing they can do is keep pushing themselves beyond their comfort…to keep balancing skill with concept.
skill ≠ creativity
creative doubt ≠ lack of skill
You can have the skill to produce realistic art, but what do you want to say with that realistic art? Saying something doesn’t always have to look realistic, or pretty for that matter. (Says the girl who thrives on realistic portraits and pretty photos.)
My students doubted themselves because they don’t do realism. I doubted myself because I don’t teach solely how to improve technical skill. So I had to remember that I teach my students to think, to solve problems, to figure out how to use art as an expression. My students had to remember that they get to choose what they create, how they create it, and why.
Why.
Why make art? Why say something at all when you feel like no one is listening?
Because everyone has doubt. And someone will listen. Someone will pay attention.
