I strongly recommend that every artist I mentor have a website or at least blog to share his or her work with the world. One of the artists I worked with once asked me:
“Who in the world needs another blog from a half-hearted artist?”
Who, indeed?
Who are we to say what the world needs or doesn’t need? It’s important to be able to step back from that voice and to recognize it for what it is. It’s the voice of our ego. Our ego prefers to be liked, to stay safe and protect us from criticism or negative reaction.
I want to remind you of your power as an artist. The power art has in general. Whether our audience is large or small, we all have the potential to positively impact others lives with what we do.
While the ego likes to stay safe it is also attracted to the seeming glamour of celebrity and fame. It’s a strange dichotomy, isn’t it?
So unless we are really, really big, unless lots and lots of people like and admire our work, it doesn’t seem worthwhile.
Take a moment now to recall anyone who has expressed even the smallest appreciation for something you have created. A brief compliment, an email, a note, a thumbs up.
Now savor that moment slowly for what it was. Really feel into it and allow it into your being, your body, your heart.
You touched another person’s heart, even for that moment, in some humble way.
Where there was one, there could easily be hundreds. (It’s a big planet, you know.)
It is tempting to keep things safe and play a small and familiar arena. It’s tempting to avoid the risk and vulnerability of putting ourselves and our work out for the world to see. It is so much easier. We need not take the time nor make the effort.
But how do you know that someone wouldn’t be inspired by, love, or really want to see your blog? How do you really know this?
Aren’t there plenty of other artists who have inspired you? Are you glad for their online presence? Isn’t it wonderful to live in an age where we can access inspiration from other artists’ work past or present with the click of a mouse?
Who are your favorite artists of all time? How would your life be different if your favorite artists had never pursued their work and committed to getting it out to the public?
What it takes is commitment. I think the key word in this artist’s question was “half-hearted”. I know the asker of this question to be a truly dedicated and committed artist with wonderful gifts to share.
However, if we go about creating a blog only half-heartedly, then most likely neither we nor our potential viewers will gain satisfaction from it. Beyond the content, the energy behind the content will be lackluster.
However, if we commit ourselves to it, even if we can only post once a month and we do our best to get the word out and share it with the world, I am convinced that we can touch others in a meaningful way. People will be drawn to our enthusiasm and what we have to offer.
When we do things without true commitment they lack that power of our own intention. If things don’t work out how we expected, we have no reason to continue or follow-through.
The ego likes this because we stay in our safe zone. We don’t expose ourselves to criticism or perhaps worse for the ego, neglect.
When we are committed, we will do whatever it takes.
 Veiled Face Michele Théberge, ink on paper ©1998 |
Responses to “Is your work important? Does it matter? Why bother?”
Joy
Love this post, Michele!
Thank you so much for your inner quiet and your voice in the world
calling artists (and others) forward to allow our lights to shine.
I’m sorry to have missed your call last night, and I already heard
on Twitter that it was wonderful. I can imagine you did an awesome
job!!! Hopefully, you’ll be sending it out to those of us who had
something come up or forgot to tune in.
Blessings,
Joy
Michele Theberge
Hi Joy! Yes! The recording is ready and my assistant is sending the email out today with the link, but just for your convenience you can go to the original registration page.
https://themindfulartist.com/teleseminar/
Fill out your name and email and it will take you RIGHT AWAY to the recording.
Thanks so much for your kind words. Keeps me going…
jewel lentz
I agree with Joy, Michele, you are a voice trumpeting to get these artists up and going because many artists I think are very much in tuned to the finer, delicate and spiritual needs of the world. A painting speaks a 1000 words, and the heart hears them and it is the heart that needs encouragement.
Thanks for being courageous and committed to yourself and others, truly thank you. I indeed good relate to the safe zone ego. And as I said a voice you are, I was thinking this very thing before I logged in to your letter.
I am truly blessed to hear your encouragement and wisdom, thank you, I get so bogged with other stuff, I was neglecting myself and my art work. Here I come Blog!!! ha ha
Jewel Lentz
Michele Theberge
Jewel – I am so glad this rang a bell with you and inspired you! And be sure to let us know when your blog is up! I want to see!!
Michele Theberge
P.S. I love this sentence so much: “A painting speaks a thousand words and the heart that hears them is the heart that needs encouragement.” I feel like that is one of my purposes in this world is to whisper (or blog, or email) words of encouragement into the ear of the tender-hearted artist.
ChicagoHawksGal
So heart-full and inspiring, Michelle… thank you so much for sharing this! Often, I forget all the kind words people have shared with me when I’ve given them even a small piece of my artwork. So important to remember the impact sharing what we make creates for others!
Michele Theberge
You are welcome! It’s something we are all susceptible to, isn’t it? That’s why I have the artists in the mindful artist program all create a positive feedback file. : )
It’s wonderful that you have shared your works and received kind words. Hopefully this inspires others reading this post who have yet to share their work to take that first (sometimes scary) step.
Katja Bjergby
Thank You Michele, it was really just the words i needed today. it is so wonderfull and inspiring the beautiful way, you are sharing your creativity and spirituality. That is what i need to do in my blog. Thank you😃
Michele Theberge
You are so welcome! Glad the words were timely. Enjoyed checking out your website. I’ll share it here for others to see the colorful, vibrant energy of your work!
Katja Bjergby
Thank you Michele for your kind words. Im glad that you liked my colourful art:)
Thank you again for being such an inspiring artist and woman. have a wonderfull day❤
Vidya Agarwal
You have inspired me to write a blog. I follow all your posts and videos and find them very helpful and motivating. Thanks for the post. It’s strange that I was wondering about the purpose of my Art only today morning. Synchronicity??
Michele Theberge
Fantastic, Vidya! Please share the url here so other readers in the mindful artist community can see it!
Heather Blanchard
Thank you for this Michele! Your words are always inspiring and full of heart. I know there’s a purpose I want my art to serve and I wanted to do it without a blog. But I think after reading this I am considering writing one. I’m not the best with words but I can open up more and really show my passion for my purpose, it could very well help others the way I hope to.
Heather Blanchard
Thank you for this Michele! Your words are always inspiring and full of heart. I know I want my art to serve a certain purpose and thought I could do it without a blog but after reading this I’m starting to think I should start one. It may be the way for me to completely open up.
Michele Theberge
Cool, Heather. Curious why you gravitated toward blog vs. website? Or do you already have a website. If so, please share the url here.
Heather Blanchard
I do have a website. http://www.bluemaru.co I’ve always wanted my art to be used in a way to help people deal with depression or sadness or even a bad day. I want it to uplift others. When I originally started a website I was going to blog too but I’m not much of a writer nor is it really something I like to do. But I’m reconsidering the blogging after reading this. It could be a way to help others understand why I paint and what the purpose of the paintings are.