Invest + Bet on Yourself.
Every artist hits moments of hesitation—those days when we procrastinate, second-guess ourselves, or sit frozen at the computer hitting “refresh” instead of creating.
That was me this Monday morning.
But the universe has a funny way of nudging us forward.
Just as I was struggling to find today’s direction, an email arrived from Creative Mornings announcing February’s theme: Invest—inspired by the Investment Theory of Creativity by Robert J. Sternberg.
His words hit like truth I already knew:
“The greatest obstacle to creativity is not outside limitations, but the limitations we place on our own thinking.”
Exactly. And lately, that message has been landing hard.
Over the holidays I read The Illusion of Money by Kyle Cease, and it completely shifted my perspective on what it means to invest in myself—not financially, but emotionally, creatively, and energetically.
I realized how often I’ve chased outcomes instead of possibilities. How often I create work I think people want…instead of the work I feel compelled to make.
It’s the classic people-pleaser trap, and yes, it follows me straight into my art practice.
I’m happy to say my studio renovation is finally nearing completion. It’s been a long, messy, mold-filled journey of demolition and rebuilding. But as new walls went up, something internal shifted too.
The other day, I wrote a small prayer on one of the unfinished walls—an intention for guidance, clarity, and the courage to let go of limitations. It’s now painted over, but I know it’s there. And each time I enter my studio, I quietly place my hands over that spot as a reminder to stay open.
The construction slowed my creative output, but it also forced me to pause, reevaluate, and try new ideas. I’ve been experimenting with different sizes, new forms, and even a small sculptural encaustic series. One of my favorites so far is a ranch horse I photographed in Wyoming—now transformed into an 18-inch-tall stacked panel sculpture.
It feels like the beginning of a new direction.
Right now, my dining room is filled with artwork returned from the Water on Water gallery. Looking at the pieces, I realized many were created from a place of pleasing—work made with sales or expectations in mind, not instinct.
And so, as shocking as it sounds to some…Much of that work will be destroyed and reimagined.
Not because it’s “bad,” but because it represents a version of myself I’m ready to let go of.
Clearing space—physically and creatively—makes room for something deeper, more honest, more aligned with where I am today.
This Year’s Intention: Invest in Myself
I want to create work with more complexity. More truth. More energy.
Work that resonates with me first.
Because when we invest in who we are—not who we think we’re supposed to be—our creativity expands.
It’s time to:
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remove old limitations,
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trust my instincts,
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say yes to new ideas,
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and bet on myself.
And I hope you’ll consider betting on yourself too.
Creativity thrives when we give ourselves permission to evolve.
There are a myriad of different ways to invest in yourself and your creativity. I’d love to hear what you do.
Be well….be creative,
“And as I look at the work, I realize it’s work that was created while trying to please others.”
OMG, I just had this same thing happen to me — but with the work I’d completed for the Thesis for my Master’s degree in Writing. It struck me as almost an out-of-body sense of: “who wrote this?” – a weird, tangible estrangement from myself. There were even some sentences where I could precisely see the influence of an “expert” over my words (vs. my authentic voice).
Here’s to investing in our selves, and allowing our true voices to shine! <3
Yes, Yes, Yes…….Why oh why is it so hard to let our authentic voices out?
Looking forward to hearing your’s more:)
Hi Clare,
You mentioned a few months ago that you were developing a new class that was specifically about printing and painting encaustic on tissue paper. Is that still in the pipeline and if so, when will registration open?
Yes, it’s still in the pipeline. Hoping for a March launch date, but haven’t set that hard date yet. I will let you know soon…..I promise:) Thanks for asking about it.
Love, love, love every word of this!
Thank you Bama!
What you shared about pleasing others is the real reason I originally quit professional photography. I couldn’t do work anymore that was all about the income. I lost so much of myself in that. I was working non-stop and not happy.
It would be nice to find a balance today… One where I can creat art, be true to myself, yet still make some money. At least to cover expenses!
I totally agree Michael…..it’s all about finding that balance:)
I love this blog! So inspiring: the reminder of the “prayer to the universe to guide me in my creative endeavors….as a way to open up and ask for help in lifting my limitations. This prayer is now covered with paint, but I know it’s there and will start every studio session with running my hands over the prayer and centering my intentions” The hidden prayer that you can see….. from within. Those are the best.
Thank you! For sharing with us.
Thanks Marla. This is why I do the blog…..to inspire. Thanks for reading it:)
Hi Clare,
I loved the post — and can identify with it on so many levels! I’m a middle child and a notorious people pleaser and like you, it’s been a long struggle. That stops NOW, right? I’m curious what you mean when you say you sometimes destroy your work. I do the same thing — typically by covering previous “experiments” or art that was less than successful — with different media. Is that what you mean? As I write that, I ponder whether there might also be some therapeutic value in not just covering it up, but smashing it to pieces. LOL.
Thanks Jeanne. When I destroy work I usually rip the photos out and use the backgrounds for another image. It’s not as drastic as it may sound…..I don’t smash the pieces, but they do take on a completely different image!
One of the sayings I try to go by ‘is the short version of this. “You can’t please everybody, so you might as well please yourself”. As with much wisdom, easier said than done.
I agree….sometimes easier said than done:) But still good words to live by.
There are so many things I could say to respond to your words here! Staying true to ourselves is such a difficult concept…and it shouldn’t be, really. I think it starts way back in childhood. So many of us are taught that we must conform to the rules and others’ ways of thinking instead of teaching us to think for ourselves and march to the beat of our own drummer. And now we have social media where the more likes we get seems to mean we have to conform even more if we want “to be liked!” I was one of those people, until last year, and it has been SO DAMN freeing! Thanks for your posts…they are inspiring and sometimes very thought-provoking! (And I, too, am impatiently awaiting your tissue print class!!!) 🙂
Thanks Bea…..it’s always nice to know my words resonate with people. I appreciate your comment. More on the class soon…..very soon!
Working from your true self but also not letting anything become too precious to you personally. I am finally able to paint over or lose parts of things I love but just are not right for the piece or something that isn’t working in the way it should. Hmm, is that a metaphor for people too? 🙂
Our guts will tell us eventually what is right in a piece and what is not. It can take courage to paint over or lose parts of an image, but that is the transition of a piece. It doesn’t always come together at first. Sometimes it takes time!