In only the past two days, each of my teenage artists has questioned whether they are indeed artists. One has lamented her talent and and ability while also questioning whether anyone else outside of a small, specialized niche would ever be interested in her art and the other filled in my words during a conversation in which I was searching for the right word in my mind, believing me about to say, you are not …. an artist (her words), when my words actually were going to be, you are too young to know what your specialty might be. Living a creative life is not easy whatever our age, but it is my hope to encourage and inspire each of my teen artists in their creative journeys.
Today, as I considered each of them and their creativity, reflecting back through pencil-drawn sketches and digital drawings they have shared with me again and again, several just yesterday, I marvel at the idea that they cannot see what I so clearly see when they set their artwork before me—the detail, the shading, the color, and the lighting. The beauty. The breathtaking and inspiring beauty by their own hand.
Instead of that beauty, instead of the growth they demonstrate with each new piece of art they create, they see imperfections and less-than art. They judge themselves and their art too harshly, and I feel compelled to place myself between them and their own sharp and hurtful barbs of criticism. They judge themselves against others, even and especially those who are further along the journey of being an artist.
What I love in all of this misplaced criticism is that they don’t give up. In fact, those were some of the words I used in response to my 17 year old today when she talked about not believing she actually is an artist. How can she not be an artist, I asked her. You keep showing up and that truly is one of the most important aspects of being an artist. Yes, you need skills and talent and various abilities for the medium in which you are creating. But I have heard so many stories through the years of people who didn’t have exceptional artistic talent but they were tenacious and worked at their art every day, to the point they became good artists.
Given the talent and skill these two young artists already have that is clearly a natural ability, a gift given each of them in their own ways, their willingness to show up each day and create something new demonstrates they truly are artists. What I hope they will come to see and understand is where they are on their journey. Comparison is the thief of joy, and I would hate to see them allow their compulsion to compare their work to others to steal their joy of creating.
Every act of creating adds beauty to this world for each person with whom we choose to share our work. Every act of creativity demonstrates courage and boldness and resilience. It brings forth delight for self as much as for others. It inspires and encourages. When I look at the work they create, when they choose to share their art with me, I recognize in them both the vulnerability and the bravery that requires of them, and I feel grateful they have seen in me a safe space for their artist self and their artwork.
In a world where too many people tend to overlook the obvious beauty and wonder, those who create are doing important work. Even the youngest and newest artists’ work is important and can influence another person. I love that I get the opportunity to watch these two remarkable young artists grow in their confidence as well as their abilities. Even more, I love that I get to be one of their safe spaces where they can lament as well as celebrate their work; both are a part of the process and the journey. And as they make that journey, I will continue to encourage them as well as remind each of them they are exactly what makes an artist an artist.