My Art is a Lie

Most artists will tell you that true art comes from within. And this is accurate. Unfortunately, many artists close the door to their inner artist in an effort to please the masses. I am 100% guilty of this.

I want to gain recognition. I want to be admired. I want to pay my bills. For these reasons, I take on commissions or do portraits of celebrities that I think people will want. While this is all well and good and I'd still rather be doing this than waiting tables or working in an office, it's not my truth.

I've had lots of ideas for art series or studies. Many of these ideas involve controversial topic such as sexuality, religion, the homeless, etc. I really want to make a statement with my art...but I'm scared. What if people don't like it? What if they judge me? What if they don't get it?

I see so many artists who don't appear to have such concerns. Many of them make waves, but it works for them. I've never been one to make waves. I am a people-pleaser. I'm a caretaker. I just want everyone to be happy.

But I need to be happy, too.

In my future artistic pursuits, I intend to unlock the door to my indifference and do what I want to do. Even as I write this, I'm terrified of what you will think. However, I've always believed in facing my fears.

So here we go....

#fridayfeature #art #artist #artistofinstagram #pencilart #pencilartist #graphiteart #graphiteartist #celebrityportraits #celebrityportrait #portraitartist #findyourtruth #truthinart #betruetoyourself

Friday Feature: Trump, Who?

I've never really enjoyed talking politics. Who does? I'm not even sure politicians enjoy talking politics. It usually results with people getting mad at each other because no one is willing to bend or see the other person's point of view. Nothing is resolved. Nothing changes. Unless you're actively involved in it, it doesn't seem to do anyone any good.

My boyfriend and I have opposing views on many topics. Early in our relationship, we just avoided them completely. As we've gotten to know each other better, we can discuss some of the hot topics, but I find that it just stresses me out.

So, for my own sanity, I've decided to retire from discussing politics. I'm not saying I'll totally tune out if I'm with a group of friends and it comes up. I just don't want to get into any heated debates about policies that I have no control over. I'll still vote and I'll still educate myself on current events and issues, but it won't be a huge priority in my life.

Instead, I'm going to focus on bettering myself. Instead of listening to NPR during the news segments, I'll listen to an empowering audio book. Instead of reading the news, I'll take an online class. Instead of engaging in heated arguments over who's puppet is better, I'll lift up my discussion partners by encouraging them to follow their dreams.

I'm sure I'll get plenty of folks who say I'm part of the problem by not being part of the solution. However, I think that if more people focused on bettering themselves instead of complaining about things they aren't actively trying to change, maybe we wouldn't have as many problems as we do. People would be happier and more content with themselves so they wouldn't have to project their insecurities on everyone else. I'm gonna give it a try and I'll let you know how it turns out. I encourage you to do the same. Peace.

#fridayfeature #politics #artistofinstagram #youdoyou #peace #peacefulliving #joyfulliving #takingabreakfrompolitics

Guess What? You're Beautiful!

I have always been fascinated by the human form...skin, muscles, eyes, everything. It's this perfect little machine that works tirelessly to keep us alive. When we are injured, it does its best to fix itself. When things don't form correctly, it figures out a way to make it work. It adapts to piercing, stretching and environments.

I find it beautiful in all its forms. Whether you're fat, skinny, black, white, tattooed, had amputations, or whatever, it's amazing. So why are we so obsessed with looking at these things negatively?

As a makeup artist, I wish I had a nickle for every time someone sat in my chair and apologized for their blemish or scar or oily skin. These things are normal and everyone has them. Stupid "beauty" magazines have told us that we are supposed to look like we've been Photoshopped in real life. These days, so few people recognize how beautiful they truly are because they're comparing themselves to something that is totally fake.

I can recall when I was around seven years old, I noticed a classmate of mine and how pretty she was. She had these sparkling brown eyes with long lashes and freckles that balanced perfectly with her warm mauve lips and copper hair. I've always been a people-pleaser and I thought it would make her feel good to know how attractive she was. I walked right up to her with a friendly smile on my face and said, "You're cute." You'd have thought I just told her I pooped my pants from the look of disgust she gave me. It wasn't until years later that my innocence wore away and I figured she thought I was hitting on her.

For years, I shied away from complimenting strangers for fear of getting that look again.

I find beauty in things that are unique. I've seen a man with an abnormally large head, a woman with two fingers that were fused together, people with tons of piercings, the list goes on and on. I want to look at these people because I find joy in their uniqueness, but I'm afraid of how they will react. I don't want them to think I'm staring or that I think negatively about them.

It's this horrible cycle...we don't compliment someone for fear they will not like it...so they never get complimented and think ill of themselves...so they don't compliment people because they don't feel like their compliment is worthy.......

I must admit, I'm guilty of it, too. I once had a guy tell me I was pretty and my immediate response was, "I have a boyfriend." He called me a snob and told me he wasn't hitting on me. Ouch. I felt like such a jerk.

Why did I react this way? Why did I immediately cut him off instead of graciously accepting the compliment? Did I think I was better than him? I really don't know, but I didn't ever want to do it again.

Dr. Frank-N-Furter knew he was pretty.

I made a decision that day to just take the compliments. When someone compliments my hair, my looks, my clothes...anything...I just smile and respond with a sincere "Thank You". It leaves us both feeling good.

So why is it so hard to believe that we are beautiful? Either we're so full of ourselves that we think people are constantly hitting on us (and so what if they are?) or our self esteem is so low that we don't believe them or we think they're trying to manipulate us in some way.

When we do this, we project those same feelings on other people. Or we cut them down to make ourselves feel better. I have such admiration for people who have accepted themselves completely. I've heard people talking negatively about larger women in bikinis and it really irks me. I love that they are proud of the miracle machine that is their body, because it is beautiful.

We could learn a lot from strippers. Yes, you read that right. I've done body painting on strippers, so I get to see them up close and personal. And you know what? They look just like the rest of us. They have stretch marks and floppy boobs and cellulite. And they know they look good. They're not afraid to bare it all because their clients don't care about all that stuff. It's the confidence that sells it.

One of my healthier figured drawings.

Weird segue after talking about strippers in 3......2......

I'm really proud of my son. He works at a fast food restaurant and tells me about how he likes to make people's day. This is often through compliments. It makes him feel good to do it and it makes the people glad to hear it. Maybe this next generation is moving in the right direction. I sure hope so.

I challenge you to give someone a compliment today. And when someone compliments you, believe them. Everyone wins.

And by the way, you're beautiful! ;)

#selfesteem #everyoneisbeautiful #loveyourself #findbeauty