Every blog delivered to my in-box this morning resounded with variations on the same theme. Belief in the identity of Self. Who we see as our best Self. When we become distanced from that Self. Why we resist “outing” that Self. How we free that Self. What we do with that Self. Where do we see that Self going.
So I started thinking about this the way I would prepping for an art lesson. I always find classes with kids work best when I start the introductions with theirs. This is the students’ “This is who I am” are part. Their tellings gives me what they want me to know–even if it isn’t what I later discover about them, and it kick-starts movement from individuals to sharing group. Josh Hanagarne offered his readers (that’s me!) the “tell the group who you are” gift this morning. Leah Piken Kolidas posted her Creative Every Day Challenge weekly check-in post. As I see it–this is the “show me who you are” gift. I always learn as much about myself when I participate in these. Sometimes recognition, sometimes a good nudge, often permission. That, “If she/he/they can–so can I!” Hey, if you get to make mud pies–so do I. It’s an amazingly freeing and unifying way to start–anything.
Still reading, well into my first cup of coffee, I get to the “teacher introduction to the student” part. I’m now with Ronna Detrick who not only gave me powerful statements of choosing/demanding the freedom of living fully herself–but whacked me with some pretty powerful quotes to frame her statements. Who can resist the Dread Pirate Roberts? Julie Roads reminded me that much of what confidence I have as an artist came to me from being a mother and a teacher–and the reverse.
James Chartrand (I’m now into coffee refill #1) moved me into the “demonstration” part of the art class with forcing me to consider, “am I giving them all I can as a teacher?” It’s the obvious answers that can be the most difficult to face–announce–live.
Now, thoroughly coffeed out, I get more heavy-hitters. Both Kelly Diels and Danielle LaPorte both brought the lesson to the “critique” part. This is when I can not only look at the work the students have done, but hear in their voices and see in their faces if they got it. And more importantly, if they were able to take what I had to offer and make it their own.
So–I come back to me, what I’m doing here, and why. I am an artist. You are an artist. No, really we all are. And I believe that being an artist requires living fully, living honestly, living OUT THERE. I believe that is the real truth we are all struggling to share, learn, share, gain, share, become, share, exhibit, share, teach, share, achieve, share, maintain, share. Did I mention share? That’s the why. If I share what I do as I move along, I get to see the reflection of my truth in you.
I absolutely always see a greater power and freedom in my work when I share, no matter what medium or genre. It’s always seemed to me that a significant difference between visual artists/writers and musicians/actors is that performers get to “jam.” They get to bounce lines of dialogue and music against each other in an immediate connectivity. So that is why we teach and coach and blog. We share our progress, our glitches and successes. If nothing else, it keeps us honest.
Otherwise that pile of prepped leather in the photo would remain just that.
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