That simple truth may be the deepest bond we share. 'Artists come together with the clear knowledge that when all is said and done, they will return to their studio and practice art alone. How do you describe the that changes when craft swells to art? “There is no ready vocabulary to describe the ways in which artists become artists, no recognition that artists must learn to be who they are (even as they cannot help being who they are.) We have a language that reflects how we learn to paint, but not how we learn to paint our paintings. Each step in the artmaking process puts that issue to the test.”Īrt and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking What separates artists from ex-artists is that those who challenge their fears, continue those who don't, quit.

Coincidental, sneaky and disruptive, we might add, disguising themselves variously as laziness, resistance to deadlines, irritation with materials or surroundings, distraction over the achievements of others - indeed anything that keeps you from giving your work your best shot. Art is a high calling - fears are coincidental. After all, in making art you bring your highest skills to bear upon the materials and ideas you most care about. And even less to do with the individual artworks. Yet viewed objectively, these fears obviously have less to do with art than they do with the artist. For many people, that alone is enough to prevent their ever getting started at all - and for those who do, trouble isn't long in coming. Making art precipitates self-doubt, stirring deep waters that lay between what you know you should be, and what you fear you might be. Making art can feel dangerous and revealing. The line between the artist and his/her work is a fine one at best, and for the artist it feels (quite naturally) like there is no such line. Life and Art, once entwined, can quickly become inseparable at age ninety Frank Lloyd Wright was still designing, Imogen Cunningham still photographing, Stravinsky still composing, Picasso still painting.īut 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 can't do it again or that you're not a real artist, or not a good artist, or have no talent, or have nothing to say. And with good reason: your desire to make art - beautiful or meaningful or emotive art - is integral to your sense of who you are. Among the very young this is encouraged (or at least indulged as harmless) but the push toward a 'serious' education soon exacts a heavy toll on dreams and fantasies.Yet for some the desire persists, and sooner or later must be addressed.

Art & fear david bayles