Nothing Too Precious

So here is what I have been thinking about lately. It’s this idea that we, myself included, treat our art as if it’s too precious. We hold onto it as if it’s ours, never to let go of it. We don’t ever truly give it away. We hold onto it with gripped hands… Like what if it never comes to me again? What if it’s taken away from me? What if it’s stolen or even worse, never valued? 

I am not saying to not put value on your art or time or technique. I am especially not saying not to charge what you feel in your heart in terms of money. 

But what if we held our art out with open hands? It was a gift given to us in that moment. A snapshot of our life at that moment in time, ready to change tomorrow. What if it was never ours to start with? 

I am not sure if there is an answer to this. And I know that this idea might make a few people uncomfortable. But here is what I know: when I look at my art as not too precious, I am more willing to grow into something new and bigger. I am more willing to take big risks in my work. I can take that piece from just okay to stunning and mind blowing. And it’s all because I am not too attached to my work. And I make more art. It just flows out of me. All if I don’t take myself or my art too seriously.

To see all my upcoming classes, go here. I will be at Gilding the Lily in Fullerton CA September 10 & 11. And I will be at Jeanne Oliver Studios, in Castle Rock, CO. on October 28 & 29.