Festivals, New Blog, & Things I'm Learning

Well, this has been a long time coming... I'm blogging again! If you've followed my art journey for a little while you may know that I used to blog pretty regularly. In 2016 I lived and worked in Colorado and I wrote here often. Life in North Carolina, where I've lived since early 2017, has been a new season in all different ways and I have generally been using Instagram as a space for that written expression. Although, I have really been feeling lately like getting back to this: with a little more intention and traction, taking the time to sit down and story tell like I used to. I've missed it.

I'll do a more official intro post soon, but for now, since they're fresh in my mind, I just couldn't wait to sit down and flesh some current ideas out. I did my first-ever three-day festival show this past weekend, and the joy I got from it was really amazing and rewarding. It's taken me a while to be okay being one of those people who really believes in purpose: in living a life where it's not that strange to believe you're on a sort of mission larger than yourself every single day, even in each moment. I think we're all looking for that, actually, in our souls; and I think it's important to share it. Truth and purpose are very vital.

Art and writing are passions I've had for a while (more on that story later), and last weekend really put me very literally in touch with the idea that passions, and larger purpose, are something we're all looking for. I got to talk to so many people about so many things as they asked questions about my work, what inspires me, how long I've been doing this, etc.

I love doing art shows for that reason - I love watching people gravitate toward specific pieces of art that speak to them and getting to talk to people about their ideas, passions, and stories. Somehow, it's always been very natural for me to communicate on a deeper level with people, and creativity is a supportive avenue for those conversations. I've learned that art, because it's something that comes from the innermost part of who I am, communicates something simple but profound to people: "this person is in touch with the innermost part of who they are." That, I think, is a gift worth giving continuously away.

So below are some themes and ideas that came up this weekend from the many different conversations I got to have with people. I hope they can inspire you, too.

Do what you love. Your purpose is in there somewhere. The more time you spend growing and leaning into doing things that ignite joy, the more you start realizing that those are the things you need to be doing in your life. It doesn't matter if they make you money or even if other people know you do them: you do them first and foremost for your well-being, and gradually the joy they bring you will be transformative and will show up in other areas of your life.

There's a place for everybody. It doesn't matter how many people paint, or dance, or write, cook draw, sing, etc. It matters if you do. The only sphere of influence you have to oversee is yours. Don't be afraid to pursue something because of comparison. 

Be patient. Things don't happen overnight. I had a memory last weekend of doing one of my first ever craft shows in the gym of a local suburban Chicago high school eight years ago, and I remember leaving in tears of discouragement because I didn't know how art would ever really matter in my life, if anyone would ever appreciate it, if I'd ever have anyone to help/support me, etc. I think the truth is there certainly will be periods - maybe long periods - where we feel discouraged, but I've learned that's actually just because we want more security and control over knowing our future than we can ever really have. Art has taught me (over the course of about a decade) the principle that most of what you need to do to get somewhere is start going.

Money is secondary. I get that this is an oversimplification if you're trying to make an actual living off your art (or passion, hobby, etc.). But ultimately, it's true. A lot of small business ownership is about learning as you go. And you're no less of an artist if you have (or even want) a 'day job' to make money. I honestly struggled with this for a while and really, ultimately, it's an identity issue. The question is, 'do I know who I am so deeply that what I do does not define it at all?' What you do with your life matters a lot, but it's not as important as who you are. I've found life is better when I simply work hard gradually to be financially responsible for what little I need, and I don't make money the end game, the point, or the thing that defines me. 

Set goals. You don't even have to achieve them all, but you need things to aim for. They can (and should) pertain to different areas of your life. For the past four years I've run one half marathon per year. It has nothing to do with art, of course, but the mentality of putting things into place in your life that you have to prepare, train for, and mentally focus on is important. It's a way of thinking. Diligence and focus are the quiet, unspoken traits of people we outwardly call successful.

Make and share things of substance. CS Lewis said that 'all that is not eternal is eternally out of date.' This theme has come up a lot in my life lately too: doing what's popular, common, and acceptable does not mean you're doing something valuable, especially over time. In a socially mediated culture where it's easy to make anything appear pleasing or good, that's what a lot of people do. Don't do that. Seek, build, and grow something that is real, not that 'seems good.' Deep roots are more sustainable, dependable, attractive, and beneficial in the long run. It's primarily my faith that has taught me mentality of long-term investment, but art has been a tangible application: if you want something to turn out well, deepen the roots. The fruit will bear itself.

If you're not passionate, it won't sustain you. One thing I talk to a lot of people about is 'finding their passion.' It seems so simple, but you have to love, want, and desire what you do. But along the same line, if you're not committed, it won't work. Passion and commitment to seeing something through have to go hand in hand. I love painting, but I don't always love the creative dry spells or the discouraging times or the feelings of rejection when things don't work, etc. etc. For those times you don't feel love, you rely on commitment: it has to be there. It's fundamental to making the whole operation work. That's what it's for. (There's a great marriage metaphor in there, but we'll save that for later too).

Stay growing. Read. Get a mentor. Spend a lot of time alone doing positive things that fill you. Deepen your knowledge of truth and wisdom so that you can apply it to life, not so that you can be smart or right. Life is generally exciting when you're paying attention to your growth and the positive ways you've changed and developed.

By no means an exhaustive list, but just some thoughts. Thank you if I met you at the Asheville Yoga Festival, and if you've been supporting my art for any length of time! More to come.

Love,

Lauren