This is so true. (And so spot on for me lately.) Especially when it comes to art.
People will either love your art or hate it. And it will have nothing at all to do with you. Or so the saying (sorta) goes.
For so long, I’ve let fear stop me from creating. Or, at the very least, creating what I wanted to create. I can’t tell you how many unfinished stories I’ve let fall away into nothingness over the last twenty years because, really, who was I to write words worthy of being read by the masses? Or the number of photo shoots where I compromised my vision and let the client dictate the session, resulting in the types of shots that didn’t define my work and, after the shoot, left me feeling drained and dull rather than inspired and engaged. Or, back in my design days, crafting my work around what I thought the professor wanted to see rather than what my heart wanted to show him. And spending sleepless nights before each graphic design presentation – tossing and turning, my stomach filled with dread at the very thought of standing up and showing my work in class. Because, I mean – gawd! – what if they hated it?!
I think it all comes down to having confidence in your art. Of falling head-over-heels in love with your creation. And truly, truly not giving a good goddamn what anyone else thinks about it.
I’m working on it.
Lisa sorbe 