Remember when kids would say that any time you tried to strike out on your own or march to the beat of a different drummer? And what did you do, carry on or retreat? If you were one to carry on, I commend you! Me, I retreated back to the pack. I was certainly not the leader of the pack, but neither was I a loyal follower. I did want to stand out, to be different. But more importantly, I want to be liked. I lived in fear of being labeled an act-so-greater and losing all my friends.
What’s in a name after all? Thankfully we all grow up and outgrow such childish fears and behaviors, the fear of standing out or being labeled. Or are you an artist who’s afraid to call yourself an artist. Those same childhood fears rear their ugly heads when it’s time to tell people that you are an artist. Uh oh, I’m going to be judged, people will want me to prove it, I’ll have to gulp, show them my work!
The thing is, those childhood fears are as far from the truth as your playground days. People are fascinated by artists. They don’t want to put you in your place, they want to be in your place. The conversation goes something like this:
Them – “You’re so talented. I could never do anything like that.”
You – “Oh, no, I’m not really that good, I just like to make things.”
Them – “Oh, yes you are! I wish I could do what you do.”
You – “No, it’s nothing, really.”
Why are you reluctant to call yourself an artist? I think you fear that people will automatically assume you are really good at what you do when you call yourself an artist, actor, singer etc. Calling yourself an artist, especially when you have no piece of paper (i.e. a degree) to back it up, leaves you vunerable. It sounds like you think you are really good at what you do, and deep down you don’t believe that.
If you remember my last post, Your Most Important Art Supply, we artists rarely feel confident about the art we make. Calling yourself an artist is inviting people to take a look. It’s a courageous act that not everyone has the guts to do – to share your dreams, your inner passions, be nakedly exposed.
Throw caution to the wind and wear the ARTIST label proudly. Why? You are what you do, not how well you do it. The first chef to leave Top Chef is no less a chef. The teacher who graduated last in her class is no less a teacher. Art comes in all shapes, sizes, materials and yes, quality. And it’s true, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Armed with the desire and courage to create, you are already a success.
By calling yourself an artist, you are also stepping in to your destiny. You are becoming what you desire. You’re owning it, baby. There’s a saying, act as if. Act as if you already are what you want to be, and in doing so, you will become the person/artist you want to be. When you believe in yourself, others will believe in you as well.
So I ask you, who do you think you are?
