Over the past few months, I've been on a quest to find my 'authentic voice.' Since I began painting seriously, I've worked hard to develop skills and technique, but I've felt like something was missing. I'd taken tons of classes, workshops, retreats, and private lessons, and still, I didn't feel like my paintings were my own. I learned other artists' techniques, which was helpful at first, but ultimately left me empty. This emptiness culminated in my finding a mentor whose sole purpose was to connect me to my creative identity. The exercises he gave me kicked open another door that had been closed since childhood. But what was most interesting was a simple email he shared months later. It was about exploring fascinations. It may sound trite, but it was transformative. I spent days and weeks thinking about (and then journalling) what fascinates me. The list was slow to start but is now long and full of surprises. On it are things like: the smell of a campfire, stone walls, old documents, medieval anything, the feel of linen, obituaries, digging up artifacts, the taste of fog...just to name a few. This list, then, prompted me to break out my sketchbooks and draw and paint and sculpt away. What resulted has been the 'uncovering' of me. I started to see a theme. All my life I have been fascinated with getting underneath the first layer...be it a barn floor, wallpaper, or emotions; I have always been a digger. Connecting this primal fascination to my art is not only elevating my process, but it's feeding my soul. I can't wait to see where it leads me.
If you've been feeling stuck or bored or inauthentic in whatever you're doing, I encourage you to watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07zE5uSlM1M&t=141s
And start the excavation, which will help reveal the wonderful truth of who you really are.
Peace,
Gail
