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No, I am not ready to die (Rest In Peace) or give up on my art *smiling*. But I decided I would share a thought about the art making process as I am still learning new things with it. In sculpting a new character, I am applying some new techniques and observations that I picked up this summer. Some are even actually working for me! (*smiling*) This brings up the question – why couldn’t I have known this 10 years ago... or even 20 years ago as I have been teaching myself how to sculpt for the past 40 years?
That’s when I had one of my “aha” moments. If I knew everything when I was beginning my art path, then I would have nothing new to learn now. For me, my art is all about the experience of expressing myself through my creations. If my art sells, that is a wonderful benefit and I am glad for it, but it isn’t the motivation as to why I create it.
To continue my "aha" moment I also realized people learn and remember more with pain than pleasure. Sad but true. For every moment I got frustrated or fed up with a piece I was working on, I tend to remember those moments more than my successes. But that is okay if I also took away from that experience a new understanding or progressed in my art. For art is truly practice - practice - practice!
So this blog is for any of you that are in one of those "moments". Especially with all the changes to the market, AI development, and at times even the feeling of lack of support or community, remember you are not alone in these feelings. For myself, even as frustrated as I can get with my art, I am glad I have the ability to still do it and the passion to continue to follow it... where ever it leads me. As someone recently asked me, "Do you believe dolls can heal?" I absolutely believe that and that they can teach us about ourselves and also make our world even a little better.
2 Comments
I totally get this!!!! My sculpting has taken me on a path, that was not always smooth. A lot of times, there was frustration and thoughts that I was never going to get there. But I kept on practicing, and I got so many tips and help from lovely people, especially at IADR. Now, I am a very proud master sculptor with IADR, and my dolls are known for their very special and sometimes quirky bases. And yes, dolls can heal, all art does. Many a time, when things weren't going so well in my life, I sat in my studio, and the calmness and peace sculpting gave me and still gives me, every day, is just magical!!!! We doll makers are blessed with such a beautiful talent, and the little creatures we create with our hands, give us more joy than words can say!
I ABSOLUTELY 100% AGREE WITH ALL YOU'VE SAID!! ♡♡♡