Insights into the tortured artist (from a happy artist)

When I started my clay business, I joined a few polymer clay face book groups.  On them are some people who are many years ahead of me and it is obvious in the difference in the things that we produce.

I enjoy looking at their creations and I often try to talk to the artist about their work.  I learn a lot this way and I have made some good friends.

I'm really enjoying everything I make and each creation is better than the last. I think I have at least another 2 years, before I will start to level off, but I am happy with that. I am enjoying the journey and I love all my creations.  I have had bits I have scrapped, but very few.

It may surprise some of you to hear how many artists out there, give themselves a really hard time.  They seek a perceived perfection in their work that is never obtainable.

When they look at work that is better than they are producing, they tell themselves "their work is good and mine is rubbish, no one will like my work and will not buy it when there are things like that available."

If this was true then the art world would just be copies of a very few works.

They see every tiny flaw in their creations and that screams so loud, that they often fail to see their improvement.  Some have this so badly that they stop seeing any beauty in their work at all. They torture themselves, believing that every complement comes from pity and often end up either miserable or quitting.

Life is extremely difficult, but there are so many people who make it infinity worse for themselves.  Instead of being their best friend, they are their worst critic and sometimes even their own abuser.

I have met online, so many extremely talented artists who hold these beliefs. They often don't show this to most people, but they seem quiet and humble about their work.

If this is you,  then I beg you to re-examine your beliefs.  The work you create is beautiful and very important. Hand made things are valued for the imperfections and individuality.