Looking for starfish at low tide
acrylic on canvas
8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009
(Not quite finished. I need to do a little
more work on the Mom and the child,
and make the seaweed more subtle. Then it's
done. I like how absorbed the characters
are. This is my shore experience. Watching a
hermit crab, or looking for starfish is the only thing
that matters in the world. These people are
completely in the moment.)
activity, and occasionally run into people who don't
understand their artwork, but feel compelled to comment.
Some of my artist friends recently have been exposed
to what seems like mean-spirited remarks. But one friend
came up with a great solution. If someone says that your
work is ...pick the detracting comment... agree and say
that's what you were trying to do, so thank you!
How funny! The critic may switch gears in front of you,
and will think you are an amazingly positive personality, whatever
he/she thinks of your art. Alyson Stanfield has made it
clear, our goal is to sell our art, and make enough money
to do this super job for a living. We need to be role models
of how to be a joyous spirit. I have seen for myself how
acting this way, even when it takes an effort, spreads a
kind influence, and makes living as an artist, much more
pleasant.
So why the title today? Ultimately you have to keep loving
yourself. You are not an idiot for choosing the wrong blue,
wrong paint, canvas, subject, style, or whatever else you dislike
about yourself and your work. You are a maker of miracles,
a person who is adding something unique to the mix of
culture in the world. You are a brave and courageous
human, and everyone here thinks you are terrific. Lighten
up and go and make something. I think I'll take my own
advice. The answer is yes.
Have a yes-I-do-create-fantastic-art day.
