DAY 29 - Chapter 9 - Art and Fear

In the last chapter of Art and Fear, the authors share the reason for writing the book.  They were curious as to why so many artists quit doing their art, especially once they obtained their schooling.  Making a list of the reasons, they saw an opportunity to share with others their findings.  The book of Art and Fear has been about confronting the obstacles or difficulties one may find with any part of being on an artist path.  From the beginning recognizing social messages about "what is an artist?" to making an income from art, to having a studio, the loneliness or lack of social support, doing art alone.  The authors questioned why artists need to do art alone.  Other questions also emerged, such as pondering the why’s behind when some artist quit.  Recognizing the lack of vocabulary to assist one with the learning of how to become an artist, is different with the vocabulary one learns in how to draw.  The focus of the book has been to encourage the artist to become aware of these hidden obstacles, and to allow ones own work to be explored.  If one reviews a body of work, patterns emerge, and often a person continues to follow the patterns.  The authors strong encouragement to an artist is to focus one’s work on the things they care about.  To follow curiosity, let it lead one to discover what’s meaningful enough to pull forth through the world of art. 


I encourage you to buy a copy of Art and Fear for a better understanding of your own creative process.  Whether you're a master artist or beginning artist, this is an excellent book.

---