Do you ever feel hesistant or uncomfortable about sharing your work in a public forum? Here’s a possible reason why – you don’t want to attract attention to yourself. Here’s how to take your “Self” entirely out of the equation.
In this vision, I really FELT myself and my work as belonging to the community. Can you close your eyes and imagine this for yourself?
Responses to “Art is about “We,” not “Me.””
Gail Evans
Michelle, I am so on the same page. In my work, I seek to have something higher that flows through to touch deeply. This is why my Facebook page is G.S. Evans, Painting with Light. Some years back I took a few workshops called painting from the inside out where we painted without forethought using butcher paper and poster colors to focus on process rather than product. This was a pivotal point for me. Finding that meditative letting go of self to allow something greater to flow through is the goal.
Michele Theberge
Beautiful, Gail! Thanks for responding and many blessings on your painting work!
Gayle Mason
That resonated with me so much. Have been teaching or really sharing knowledge for a year and a half and the exchange of energy is brilliant. Relieved to take the pressure off myself and my arts practice and share. I love losing the ego! Thank you for clarifying what I have been thinking about, what a great meditation. Gayle
Michele Theberge
Gayle! Thanks for sharing your experience. It is such an honor to be able to teach, isn’t it? Thanks for reminding me.
Ginette Mailloux
Thank you for making this video Michele! It came with good timing for me. I needed a little energy to get going and there you where! 🤗
Michele Theberge
Hooray, Ginette! Thank you for sharing!
Eileen
Dear Michele,
I love what you are saying and I know what you mean by allowing that which is larger than the ego to come through.
A friend and I connect by phone in our meditation. We both love to create art. I saw an image while we were meditating and we talked about it. She decided to paint it and then she gave it to someone dear to her. He had a healing through the image.
Weeks before this happened in meditation, I received a message that if art is created from “this space” we can be grounding higher energies which are embodied in the art piece.
I have more that I would like to share with you Michele.
Blessings,
Eileen
Michele Theberge
Hi Eileen! Thanks for emailing me your website. I’ll see if they let me put it in here since I am the admin. http://eileenscreations.wixsite.com/arts
Tina Clark
Thank you for sharing this, Michele. I found it very helpful, and it is stimulating further thought.
Michele Theberge
So happy to hear this, Tina! Thanks for sharing here.
Alexis
Well said, Michelle. I heard you. <3
Michele Theberge
Thanks, Alexis!
Laurie
Thank you. Much needed now.
Michele Theberge
Thanks, Laurie! Hugs to you!
Lisa Sloane
Thank you so much! Your words are helping me rise above the stories and judgments in my head, which are ultimately all about “me”, and to focus on how the creative process is an act of giving and an offering to the world. It’s easy to feel isolated while creating – some of us even crave it – and so important to remember we are truly all connected.
Michele Theberge
Lisa – I’m so glad this made senses to you as well. It’s tricky navigating being an artist and I appreciate the community we create here.
Felice Panagrosso
Michele, Thank you for making this video. In my opinion, It’s all about communication, and we can’t communicate without expressing our innermost selves and connecting with others. Our best work comes when we can channel/express a force larger than ourselves. I like the way you differentiate between between the larger self and the little self. Thank you!
Michele Theberge
Thanks, for your thoughts, Felice!
Olivia Alexander
Hi Michele
Thanks for sharing, I can relate to what you’re saying. I recently pulled back from the art world for a little while as I was so tired of the self promotion and competitiveness it evokes.
Out of that I felt to create a new project called Gold in the Dark which is about encouragement and giving hope to those struggling with life’s issues through art and writing. It takes the focus off me and onto helping others.
Another thing that has helped me recently is acknowledging that I chose to be an artist. It’s who and what I am. I don’t have to do it but I choose to.
We can feel a bit lost in the art world at times. It can even be lonely but I think approaching it in the way you’ve shared is the key.
Thanks again
Kind regards
Olivia
Michele Theberge
I agree. I am glad you are finding ways that work with your integrity, too! So happy to have a community here of understanding hearts.
Elisa Ang
Thank you Michele for sharing your insight. Art is about We not me.. and I agree wholeheartedly! I, too, like you kind of distance myself from the competition and too much promotion of the self and their work. It drains me so to speak. But I find myself so inspired by the works of others that focus on others more than themselves. Ultimately what we do is not only for us but it’s for others, to help them in some way.. and of course for God’s glory. God bless you, Michele.
Rudi
Hi, Michele, it’s so good to receive your message. So many artist around us, are not able to open their heard. To share ideas, techniques, contents, creativity is so beneficial. At the moment I do an open shadow-theatre-workshop for ARP-Museum. Beyond the fear others could be better it’s so exhilarating to see the own impetus exponential growing and induce new impulses for me. Thank you!
bill sotomayor
I loved your insight into making Art. My focus on creating art is to be able to touch others with it, while I stand in the background. It is about the creation of art that counts, not necessarily the person who creates it. As I learned in art classes at CU, it is about the vocabulary with the viewer that counts the most.