I don't often post anything too personal, or much of my process work.. but I was moved my this blog post by Jess Gonacha at Treasuring a few days ago. I feel I can't even summarise it in many less words than her post, so you might just have to read it! It was about comparing ourselves to other artists/bloggers and creative people in general - feeling as though everyone else has it together and than beating ourselves up for not being perfect, because we assume everyone else is. As Jess said " It is easy to forget that it's just real people behind these internet facades, with real lives and real imperfections, just like me".
Jess went on to post a picture of herself in the morning, just how she was - no flattering light, no photoshop or anything.. Sometimes in blogland things just don't seem real - almost too perfect. We always post our best pieces, photos.. everything is so nice - but often not real. So here is me sharing a little of my reality today.
I decided to follow Jess's lead, and take a photo just how I was - this was me today, in my messy studio - if you look closely there is an ironing board still set up in the background, with a mountain of ironing on the floor. My desk is such mess I hardly have room for my painting. I didn't wash my hair - I don't think I even brushed it - and I definitely wasn't in a smiley mood. So there you have the reality of it - me..JPG)
Here is a little more reality for you - a painting at about hmmm... maybe the halfway mark. I would never normally post this, it is so much less than perfect right now - but I'm not perfect, and thats how it is sitting in my studio at the moment. I don't even know how it is going to turn out. I didn't even clean my palette or water for you, that's how I work - surrounded by an arty mess! So there you go.. while I like things to be perfect (I am a perfectionist by nature) and sometimes get frustrated when they're not - one of the things I value most in life and in people is honesty, and authenticity - so without waking myself up to take a photo of me still in bed at 10am - this is about as honest as it gets!
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deanna, this is awesome!! i'm so glad you were inspired by my post-- i was amazed at the outpouring of comments from people feeling the same way-- i guess we're all a little tired of the "perfection" of the internet world. i love this little glimpse into your world! it's hard to post the things that don't feel perfect, isn't it? but it seems important lately. yay for us!
ReplyDeleteThis is actually very beautiful to me... messy water cup, ironing board, unbrushed hair and all. The entire process of creation is inspiring - not just the finished piece. And if only you could see how I look on an average day. Well, let's just say you look like you could be in an Anthropologie catalogue compared to my banana-smeared, hair askew, frazzled self.
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect timing..I just received the newest issue of Studios..by Cloth Paper Scissors. I was blown away by the organization and perfection of other artists creating spaces. My studio is an embarrassing..shut the door when people come over mess. I am trying to realize that it's what comes out of my studio that is important not what it looks like on the inside. Guess that rings true with most anything.
ReplyDeleteI have also been feeling extra frumpy lately..lacking the motivation for self care. Just trying to find the balance to care for family, myself, my art and just about everything else. Thanks for posting your authenticity.
I think you look fantastic - if I took a photo of me right now it would not be a pretty sight, due to sleep deprivation, hair standing right up, baby spew on my t-shirt, dark rings under the eyes, need I go on ;)
ReplyDeleteYou have nothing to worry about!
If this is you at your worst, wow! You're an absolute doll. And I'm excited to see the finished painting...
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much, I love reading your comments, especially on a post that wasn't very easy to do!
ReplyDeleteI figure if my studio is clean I'm probably not painting enough. usually I clean because Im procrastinating starting a new piece that Im not sure how to begin or feeling insecure about what Im working on. My best work clomes out of a messy studio and unwashed hair. Which by the way wasn't at ALL what I thought when I first saw your picture. Still its true we hide our chaos in our blogs. I agree with the comment that you look like an anthropologie model.
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