It has been a while since I visited downtown Nashville to get a photo to paint. Wow, has it changed! There were so many people there that I could hardly get a good shot!
Welcome to Day 22 of 30 Days of Original Art. I have been posting my original art each day to be more vulnerable and share each art work's story. Great art always tells us stories if we are paying attention!
My Nashville scenes have been very popular over the years...and have evolved just like the city itself. Each time I create one, I seem to add more details than the last ... and I do not mean the extra neon signs or business' that seem to pop up every night. I am talking about that drive to make each painting a little better than the last one, adding in more reflections, colors, sparkles, etc.
Perfectionism has a way of rearing it's ugly head and taking over what started out as a simple, good idea, and making it into a driven, tedious, unrewarding task! I am not sure I realized exactly what it was at first, because, there is some truth to wanting to better yourself, or even grow and learn... improving your skills. Those are not bad things, we need to show up and do the work. I think the problem comes when we link our self worth to our work. or in my case my paintings. Did it sell, and how fast? Is it a reflection of me? Is it good enough? Am I good enough? Ahhh, there it is, the real question.
It is easy to make our profession our identity. I am an artist, teacher, mom, wife, daughter, etc. and any or all of these things can become an avenue to living a life of performance. I have pretty much done that in every part of my life...seeking the approval others, searching for who I really am in each identity. Eventually, I learned that my self worth comes from God, is a gift and something I can never, ever gain or lose. I am cherished, loved, seen and heard because I am a child of God, made in His image, beautifully and wonderfully created.
Whether the art sold or not is NOT a reflection of my self worth! I was set free to Cocreate with God, enjoy the process and allow Him to be in charge of what happens next. It has been such a healing journey I am still walking on, painting again, and loving the experience of art making. When I approach my painting now with that confidence and boldness, I no longer feel the need to be perfect. There is no perfect...except for God. So knowing that, I can relax, still do my best in excellence but without the fear that it is not good enough. That I am not good enough...because with God, I am!
Grace and Peace
Beth
PS. This Nashville scene has sold, however I feel like I still have a few more in me...so let me know when you are ready to commission one!