Don’t Believe Everything You Think.
My money is on the fact that most of us have an inner critic….one that can get really loud and obnoxious at times. One that gets in the way of our creative process.
I can see you all shaking your heads in agreement.
But why does the inner critic have to always be seen as negative? At the very mention of ‘inner critic’ my guess is your heart instantly sank and you immediately thought about your artistic ability and those horrible thoughts that you’ll never create anything of value again.
In popular psychology the term ‘inner critic’ refers to our sub-personality that judges and demeans. But the definition of ‘critic’ is a : one who expresses a reasoned opinion on any matter especially involving a judgment of its value, truth, righteousness, beauty, or technique. b : one who engages often professionally in the analysis, evaluation, or appreciation of works of art or artistic performances. There is no mention of the necessity to devalue.
As artists we spend countless hours with our work and sometimes we are on top of the world because everything we do is magic and other times nothing seems to make sense and everything is pure muck. It’s the natural ebb and flow of creating work. A fine tuned inner critic keeps us in line and is a natural part of the artistic process. We need those questioning, doubtful times in order to understand and appreciate the euphoric times when we dive deep into ourselves and are able to create amazing work.
The positive aspect of the critic can spur us to challenge ourselves, to do better, to go further. It’s when the critic starts beating us down, disparaging us and our work, that it’s time to take back your authority. Learn to trust in yourself and your inner voice. Know that when you are doing your own thing, when you are following your joy, when you are happy doing your work, then it is right for you.
It has taken some getting used to but I’m starting to understand and trust my inner voice. I’m seriously listening to it. I now know when an image is really good and when it’s not. I can feel it in my body. I suppose you’d call it listening to your gut. Sometimes people will say to me to stop being so hard on myself. But I totally know when an image falls flat. And I totally know when an image sings. It’s being realistic as an artist…..without judgment.
I used to front load the viewer with acknowledging all the flaws in an image. It gave power to my inner critic. But as it turns out other people don’t notice any flaws and see the image for themselves. No need to say anything. Sit back and enjoy what they have to say. Learn from your viewers, listen and relish in what you (and you alone) have created.
In the end, what matters most is that you listen to your gut and create work that is right for you. Silence your negative inner voice. If it makes you feel better, name your inner critic and then if he/she is a ‘Debbie Downer’ yammering on and on tell ‘em to shut up. Let yourself make mistakes, and teach your inner critic to be kind and generous. And then go make work that you are driven to make…..work that energizes you.
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. What does your inner critic tell you?
Be well….be creative,
You inspire me. I do not create art. I am an artist in my head but it never comes out through my hands. Encaustic photography speaks to me. I’ll continue to appreciate your posts and hope to soon setup an area to begin work.
Thank you Clare.
Barbara
Thanks Barbara. I do so hope that you give photo encaustic a try sometime!
Thanks for this article. It really helps on those days when my creative ebb is low.
You’re welcome. Think of how tiring it would be to have full blown creative energy every day. Wowzers…….we need the ups and downs.
Clare, I like your advice: “learn from your viewers, listen and relish…” Its so difficult to keep quiet and not make excuses for this or that.
I believe that If your work is to be uniquely you, then you have to have the courage to put it out there without (your own) criticism and apology…be content with what moves you and don’t look to others for approval. Deep down you know what moves you..so it’s only your approval that matters.
Its always a risk but that’s what makes a complement so energizing and silence so devastating.
Couldn’t agree more. Creating art is not always easy but on the flip side the rewards can be so incredible.
My inner critic appears when someone asks me if I sell my art. Since I find it so time consuming and confusing I just quit trying to work at sales. Now I wonder what to do with my work so I just hang them on my walls…. hope that someone will come along and buy one and at the same time do not have a clue to a fair price. Those are the times I wonder about myself and if I should be calling myself an artist.
When I am working on as art piece I understand the creative process and know the highs and lows of it, enjoying living it, it is who I am.
Vonnie, calling yourself an artist has nothing to do with selling art and everything to do with creating art. Some artists have no interest in selling work, but if you want to sell, then trust yourself. Would you feel OK with letting it go for XYZ price. Don’t look to others for advice. Just sit with yourself and get a feel for what price feels good to you. Then increase the price a little. Does that still feel OK……until you get to a point where it no longer feels OK.
Clare, timely subject discussion today. As a beginner in photo encaustics my inner critic has at times stopped in dead in my tracks…stifled me to the point of no trying, no experimenting, no production and no fun.So Ive tried to break down my big critisms into smaller bits.( Term eat an elephant one bit at a time comes to mind , terrible image there tho) Also Ive learned to look hard for the good things about a piece.. there is always something, you just have to look… it may not be the over all composition or color combo or style , but it might happen to be how well I got my first layer of medium on this time or I finally achieved a good print out on the tissue etc…… Ive learned to celebrate the small victories which allow me to continue to enjoy the whole big process.
Yes, yes, yes …. it’s so important when learning to celebrate the small victories in a piece. That’s what will keep you fueled and moving forward.
Very timely Clare… I seem to have hit the “encaustic doldrums”,wondering where the inner artist in me has retreated to! During and after your wonderful course things were exciting and progressive but at the moment I feel I’ve hit the wall. Glad to know this is so much a part of the process of growth. Must lighten up!!
Debbie, it’s absolutely part of the process. Just keep at it:)
Great post, Clare, and applicable to all the creative arts (and maybe not-so-creative too).
Thanks Wendy:)
Clare, what you wrote (below) is brilliant – you expressed what I feel, but you didn’t use the words “good” and “bad” – thanks for this perspective.
“Sometimes people will say to me to stop being so hard on myself. But I totally know when an image falls flat. And I totally know when an image sings. It’s being realistic as an artist…..without judgment.”