Friday Art Challenge

Happy Friday Art Challenge people! Well this challenge is going well for me-but I can see that I have not been the only one who struggles to get her art made!

I was hoping to have a few more participate since I have just under 500 subscribers and even more readers per week. (where are you out there?) But I am hoping it will grow. What I don't want is for this to be a place where you feel guilty for not finding time to do your art! In the midst of my struggle with not having any creative urges while caring for dad, I seemed to be bombarded with books, blogs, Facebook posts and other artists whose message was essentially that I had no real commitment to my art. That I was failing and that I had to get in the game!! All well intended, I'm sure. But not helpful for me. I just felt more stuck and less interest. I even hid Facebook art pages and quit reading art books! Who needs the pressure? What did help was taking a step back to see what was really important and put my art and lack of creative desire in perspective.

Was art who I was? (yes...and no) Or just a part? (yes) Was art important in the grand scheme of things or a luxury? (both) Was I in it for the long haul or would it fade away as other interests had? (I'm in it for the long haul, but like all of life it can lose its luster) When had it become a duty and not an expression of my soul? (when life's cares stole my passion!) Why did it cease to bring me joy? (last answer) Would it be gone forever? (I really didn't know) And how could it leave me so easily? (I felt a little betrayed!) There were many questions that took a long time to sort.  For you, the questions might be different. But I think the one question that kept coming back was "Is art important?"  And I think that's why I started the Challenge. The answer is yes!! Yes it is!! Its as important for you as it ever was for me! We share the "art spirit". It is our great privilege to show the world how boring and void life would be without the joy of creation. Your creation. Your voice. It is equally as important as Picasso's. But you don't think that, do you? That your little sketches have any meaning? That your work matters in the scheme of things. But it does. I have never been more sure of that than I am today!

I know your life is busy. That is our chief obstacle. And contrary to what all the blogs and books say-in your life right now there may be more important things than making art. But that doesn't mean you are not still an artist. The definition of artists is one who is skilled at something. And there will be time to do your art-though of course the message is "do it now!". But that's the message for many things. All worthy. While it's true something will always vie for your time and attention, I believe a true artist always returns to the work. Because I believe down deep inside every artist is a voice that must be heard. It never goes completely silent. You know I'm right, don't you! So don't listen to the voice in your head that says you aren't an artist and never were. That because you've made other choices in your life you don't belong in that group anymore. If you're even reading this you have the art spirit! And when you can no longer still the voice you will make art again!

And for those who are making art for the challenge but who have a hard time showing your work--we've all been there. But as Picasso said "every artist was once a beginner" or something like that. Don't wait for that perfect painting to post here. Perfect paintings are not what this is about! THIS IS ABOUT CHALLENGING OURSELVES TO DO ART ONCE A WEEK!!  No one said good art, or big art, or perfect art or any other rules other than to use the inspiration in your work. That is what I was most interested in and have most enjoyed is seeing how others interpret that.  

So thank you for listening to me ramble.  The Friday Art Challenge for this week is: make art with eyes in it. I can't wait!!  I will post my beginnings and will finish it (hopefully-life is busy you know!) by Monday. Happy Creating! 

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