Ruth Ander
This quote made itself known to me as I scanned through my list, because it links closely to something I have been thinking about. The space between being comfortable in what you do and how you do it; and the other of pushing, challenging and extending yourself.
There are things that I do and make that feel so much like me - my colour palette, my materials, my sense of narrative as I make books, my love of words and stitching, and my analogue means of production. I am comfortable in this world and enjoy time working in my zone. And then on the other side of this stream or gulf, lies a bunch of things that would extend me, challenge me, change me and my work.
Somewhere in this place are the rather muddled threads of an artist story - the satisfaction of knowing yourself and your way versus the risk of becoming complacent. The desire to continue to grow and learn versus the darker side of envy of wishing you could do what others do. Such a tricky place to navigate, and such tricky intentions to excavate.
With this quote I think Ms Anderson is giving us permission be ourselves; to follow our own paths and to do the things we are good at! Success should be a positive feedback loop! Struggle is not always necessary!
Isn't it strange to think that because we find something natural or easy that it is worthless? I imagine that says a whole lot more about how we think about ourselves, than about the art being made. Instead we should feel that it is a sign of our value, our experience, our skill level and our proficiency. Being good at something should feel natural and enjoyable.
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Ahhh, feels very much me.
This is a post to sink into and spend time with, and is exactly what I needed right when I needed it... I struggle with this so often. Yesterday, whilst working in the studio I had a flash insight as I worked, a simple one yet it hadn't occurred to me before but that the two do not have to be separated - I don't have to continually fight what I am drawn to in my work, a better strategy might be to bring the desired elements that aren't as natural to me in. I think I've been working in a this or that direction rather than a this with some of that. Thank you for this post Fiona, you've given me some good things to ponder.
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