REFRIGERATOR ART

“You have to live spherically – in many directions. Never lose your childish enthusiasm – and things will come your way.” ― Federico Fellini

Dina the Dinosaur

I expect that you, like me, remember hanging a childhood masterpiece on the refrigerator, displaying it with confidence in the excellence of your work. There was no surprise when the people around you expressed their admiration, you already knew that this was good stuff you’d done, good, creative work.

Where has all that confidence gone?  When did I lose it and how was it lost?  Now, to convince myself that my work is worthy, I make a mental list of artwork I was commissioned to do, or received an award for, or the ultimate affirmation in our culture, was purchased by someone who considered my work worthy enough to spend money on.  All these affirmations come from the outside world; To find that confidence in my work from inside myself – well, that’s more difficult.

Why is that so much harder?  When did I lose that child-like confidence in myself and my work?  Where did it go?  And more importantly, how can I get it back?  There’s nothing wrong with work being validated by the outside world.  Motivation research has shown that we respond with joy (and more work) when our project is completed successfully, is displayed and recognized by others.  But should I require that outside validation?  Children certainly don’t, at least not very young children.  They are fully confident that their work (which we call play) is of great quality and value. 

I want that feeling back!  Instead, while creating this website and blog, I am filled with angst; is my work any good?  Is it worthy of being viewed by others, especially my peers?  Will others laugh at me and scorn my work?  Will anyone like what I do?  Will people think I am being overly ambitious, stepping into a world in which I really don’t belong,?  Am I wasting my time and energy?  Are my family and friends, the people who love me, the only ones who like what I do?  

I am making a vow to myself that I will be more childlike, and, like a child, approach my projects with enthusiasm, anticipation and excitement.  I will deliberately and intentionally scatter my creative brilliance (yes, brilliance!) to the world, touching the hearts of the people around me, inspiring their creative process, whatever that process may be.  I will display my finished work (play) with the belief and happiness of a child, forgoing hesitation and doubt.  Celebrate this new approach with me; create something, anything.  Do it today and show it to the world!