To Live a Creative Life . . .

"To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong."
Joseph Chilton Pearce



'Art and Fear' Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of ARTMAKING by David Bayles and Ted Orland

This book only recently came to my attention and I wish I had read it a long time ago. I'm half way through and I think I've outlined most of it. It was published in 1993 and could have saved me countless hours of angst. (But then I am highly introspective and this may not appeal to everyone)

I am heartened to see so many members putting their work out there and winning! It is not easy to be brave, court criticism, and put a piece of ourselves on view to the world. This book will help you feel less alone on the double-edge sword that artmaking is.

From page 13 - "But if making art gives substance to your sense of self, the corresponding fear is that you're not up to the task-that you can't do it, or can't do it well, or that you're not a real artist, or not a good artist, or have no talent, or have nothing to say."

Another question for many of us from page 41 - "When your work is counted, will it be counted as art?"

Naturally, this leads to many questions we need to ask of ourselves and weaves itself into the ongoing dialogues of fiber art and art quilts as art.
Chapters on fear about yourself and others, finding your work, the outside and academic worlds, and conceptual worlds, make for interesting dialogue and yet more questions.

We are very fortunate to have such a fantastic support organization with SAQA. Lack of venues is one reason artists quit making art. SAQA tirelessly finds new venues and exhibit opportunities. Keep up the great work and even if you are in a 'fallow' time, support your fellow artists.