A dear artist friend of mine recently finished a major commission. (SO excited for her and proud of her!) However, she mentioned she’s feeling a little let down after all the hard work she put in to get it finished on a tight deadline. She’s left with that feeling: Is that it?
It reminded me of a story I heard about an artist who achieved the distinction and recognition of being included in the Whitney biennial in her early 20s- an achievement that many contemporary American artists covet and aspire to. And yet, as she was riding the bus after the opening and she described an empty feeling and a similar thought. So that was it?
(Depending on where you are right now with your career you may be saying to yourself, If only I had such problems!)
But this kind of post-event let down brings up a question all of us face: Why are we doing this stuff in the first place? Because I’m sure many of you, like me, have these benchmarks – things we want to achieve because we think we’ll feel better when we get them.
I’ll be really happy when…
I get in that gallery.
Someone buys my work.
I get in the Whitney Biennial.
We might get so caught up in reaching that goal, completing a body of work or preparing for an exhibition that we forgot to feel happy with where we are right here and now. We may neglect to appreciate the present moment and our current situation.
I know in my own life I have had different dreams for my art. For instance, when I was in my 20s I always wanted to travel abroad for my art and have shows in different countries. I dreamed of exhibiting my work in museums. Now that I’ve achieved these things I want even bigger things. I want to be in bigger museums and better known venues. I compare myself to others who have achieved things I have not and I forget to appreciate all that I have created and all that I have achieved. This isn’t good enough. What’s next?
There are always things to appreciate no matter where you are in your career. It’s great to always be looking forward and to have big dreams visions and goals to help us move forward.
But actually the true joy and excitement is in the day-to-day!
We live only in the present moment.
Honestly, nothing else exists. Everything else is just dreams (the future) or memories (the past).
We got in this racket to enjoy the creative ride!
Every dream or goal is to inspire some kind of fun action that we can savor while we are in the moment.
Moment by moment by moment.
Contrary to popular myth it’s not about some kind of arrival, some pinnacle, some accomplishment.
Think for a moment about all the unfulfilled dreams and wishes you have currently for your creative or professional life. Now ponder what exactly is it that you hope you will feel when you’ve achieved this dream? Will you feel more successful? Will you feel happier because you’ll feel validated as an artist? Will you feel better when your work is recognized? Or that other people will take you more seriously as an artist?
Is there a way you can validate yourself right now? How can you appreciate or recognize yourself as you are in your current s
tate?
Now, pause to savor this very moment. Breathe deeply. Feel your body against the chair, hear the hum of your computer. Receive the sounds around you near and far. The drip of the faucet, a bird, the neighbor’s thumping bass? Notice the colors and textures in your vicinity. Close your eyes and allow a faint smile to lighten your lips. Can you keep breathing and relaxing until you can touch on the exquisiteness and the preciousness of this present moment?
I’d love it if you’d share in the comments below something small (or big!) that you treasure and cherish in your current life. Be it the fact that you are blessed to have a box full of art supplies to make your work, or the fact that you have a space to work in or the fact that you have these gifts or skills or you have a family member or a friend or a teacher who is supportive of your endeavors.
Isn’t it wonderful that I have this connection to my creativity?
How great it is that I have had ideas and new ones keep flowing through me!
Isn’t it sweet that I am reading this article because I’m committed to supporting myself mentally, emotionally spiritually as a creative person?
Whatever it is, I invite you to appreciate that now and do not let go of your dreams!
Responses to “Is That All There Is?”
Christine Smith
Good (Rainy) Morning Michele!
Thank you for taking the time to write such grounding and affirming words. I struggle with reaching for the external validation and your words resonated back to my core beliefs that the my perceived “outside stuff” is fluff, it’s showing up everyday to my easel and mixing paint that carries me through. Namaste, Christine 🙂
Michele Theberge
Always nice to hear from you, Christine! Thanks!
Patricia Jessee
I am 63, and Art making, research, writing, thinking, playing, humor has remained a part of my life – like breathing in the air, eating, dreaming etc. Sure it is nice to have periodic recognition but it IS fleating…but the need to create is always there, a friend. I often feel like an astronaut about to launch into unknown galaxys – and it never fails to excite an energy I must admit I am adicted to. I enjoy painting and drawing at live music events where once I start the art- I am oblivious to all around. The reactions to them seeing it develop is better than anything- I know it chnages them, how they look at art, how they feel about learning to make it too. They always say how can you do this with somany watchng? I reply, ” When the music starts I hang on to the brush and watch like you do – where the sound takes me- I trust the vibration and Gods gentle push from my heart and a way we
go!”
Michele Theberge
Appreciate your sharing your joy and passion for creating!
Alice Larsen
I am grateful for anything I can be grateful for–and that’s a lot!
I am grateful for all that you mentioned & much more.
I love being an artist.
Michele Theberge
Me, too (love being an artist!) Thanks for sharing.
carol a levy
Dear Michele: I loved this article you wrote. Of course, I try to get this same idea out there to my students and especially the ones from twenty years ago when discouragement and dissappointment may set in. You are doing a GREAT job in sharing your insights and life experiences. I totally appreciate your work and your
outreach and just YOU.
I will be a part of a two person exhibition at the Sandra Lee Gallery in SF. 251 Post Street. If you are in the city
I would love to share my work with you.
Metta, Carol
Michele Theberge
Hi Carol,
Thanks for you thoughts and please let me know when your exhibition is. Congratulations!
Marge Knyper
Hi Michele, great to hear from you. I am feeling gratitude for the painting I did last week, and for the prospect of teaching art projects based in Science of Mind spiritual enlightenment teachings coming up for me next month.
Michele Theberge
Thanks for sharing, Marge!
Clare
Michele,
Always insightful & spot on! Every day I cherish the fact that art is in my life and yes, even on those days when I want to throw all my work in the trash! Art is like a still water running through my bones that teaches, affirms and embraces me.
admin
“like still water running through my bones” love that!
Judy Glore
Michele,
So grateful for your thoughts; You always help us ground ourselves in positive thoughts.
Love to you,
Judy
Michele Theberge
Thank YOU, Judy. And you are welcome. 🙂
Diane Thomas
I’m grateful for the inspiration outside my window in my new home – Tucson. I’m so grateful that I found a place where I look out at nature (not into someone else’s window) and I’ve placed my art station right in front of a window. I’m grateful that I hear from you, Michelle, reminding me to recognize all the wonders around me and be grateful for them!
admin
Diane, I love this picture you have created for us of your surroundings and your appreciation for them. Thanks for sharing.
Valentina
Just Thanks. Thank you.
Michele Theberge
You are SO welcome, Valentina.
Lisa Couper
Michele, The timing of your note couldn’t be better. I just received yet another “sorry your work was not accepted” note in my seemingly important quest to be accepted into my first juried show. Today is the deadline to submit to another show which I have failed to get into for the past three years. Fear of rejection is competing with trying to obtain outside validation. You are so right about the moment. It’s all we have and all that counts.
Michele Theberge
Lisa! I SO know that feeling. DO IT! Apply for that show again. Every no brings you closer to your yes. So many artist I know sent submissions to galleries or publications multiple times before being accepted. Doooooooo it!!! (I’m jumping up and down like a cheerleader now.) GOOOOOOOOO LIIIIIIIIISA. And let us know when you have!
Todd Dawson
Well said! It reminds me of when I finished my first illustration for the Weekend section of the Washington Post. I felt like I’d hit the big time, but at the same time I felt exactly as you describe: “This is it? Why don’t I feel any different? Why hasn’t my life suddenly changed? Why am I not catapulted to instant fame and fortune? I feel like the same old me in my same old life.”
We rarely realize that our joy and satisfaction in life comes from wrestling accomplishment out of a challenge… The greater the challenge, the greater the sense of accomplishment. THAT’s what we want-a significant journey, not an arrival.
Michele Theberge
Well said, you, Todd! Thanks for sharing your personal story with this. 🙂
Natalie Timmons
It am such an achiever, always working towards a new goal. I must constantly remind myself to be in the moment. And the moments are delicious these days as I am finally able to spend a few hours everyday on my art. Really “the doing of it” makes me the happiest. Someone buying it would just be the icing on an already delicious cake!
admin
I can so relate, Natalie, to being such an achiever and always on to the next goal! It’s been a practice and intention of mine to appreciate what I have and savor the present moment and I’m getting darn good at it, too! My new thing is CELEBRATING. Not just pausing to appreciate what I have and what I have accomplished but really partying it up a little! And Celebrating my friends’ accomplishments. I am so appreciative to all of you artists who connect here with me around topics that affect us all. Here’s to all of you!