Yeah, there's always that concern. Part of what I try to keep in mind about our heroes is that there's some meta-messaging going on with their work that isn't present with ours: if they're well-known, it's impossible to interact with their work without also being told how important it is.
For example, I like a lot of Coleridge's poetry. But in order to read it, I have to buy a paperback littered with blurbs about his monumental contributions to the English canon, massive critical introductions to his poetry and then exhaustive footnotes about where he was and what he was doing when he wrote every line. Quite obviously, no one's doing that with my own writing and it can create a false impression that I must therefore be terrible.
So what I do instead is try to act as a peer to my heroes through my process. I don't focus on how their work is packaged and marketed to me, I remind myself that they, too, were at a desk, writing one line at a time. I try to dedicate time to that, do the best I can do, and let everything else be whatever it's going to be.
The only way to close the gap is by doing the work and learning from it, which requires ignoring the gap's existence.
outstanding example! i would never have thought about it from this angle! Thank you! I think it’s helpful to be aware of the gap, that is, to be aware that you’ve created one, that it is itself a creation. That is an implicit example of an attachment you’re holding on to. A kind of grasping that we would do well to recognize if we hope to let it go.
No one who seriously loves poetry expects every piece a writer creates to resonate. (I exempt Wilfred Owen) please do not be discouraged or distressed by the process or the criticism. Keep writing.
It’s difficult for us to assess the true value of our work and skills objectively, especially when we're so weighed down by personal biases and distortions—a process that is likely exacerbated by depressed mood. This idea reminds me of a quote I recently encountered on Austin Kleon's blog: “Creative work is very hard,” wrote Sidney Lumet in Making Movies, “and some sort of self-deception is necessary simply in order to start.”
Many congratulations on the Bronze Award - so good to see your work getting the recognition it deserves (although Gold would have been more fitting!). Keep going!
“some sort of self-deception is necessary simply in order to start.” - Wow! That’s exactly it isn’t it?! Thanks so much for sharing that with me!
Thanks for the kind words! Honestly, my mind was blown just by being on the shortlist. I can’t even fathom having won one of the awards! Some of the artists that were in that same grouping are creative people that greatly admire, just doesn’t seem right that I’m included on teh same level as them. But, “personal biases and distortions…exacerbated by a depressed mood” will certainly affect one’s view of things, lol. Thanks again Richard! I appreciate you!
It really is a daily challenge. It ebbs and flows. Waxes and wanes. But never really goes away. Thanks for the congratulations! So many people have been so kind to me regarding the announcement, and I’m still not quite sure how to take it, or what to say. So I’ll stick with thank you. It really does mean a lot to me.
Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench. Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner. Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity.
Thanks so much Elyse’! Can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed and been inspired by your musings and offerings!
Thanks so much for your kind words! It’s baffling to me how I ended up being listed amongst so many artists that I look up to. i just can’t get my head around it, lol.
I've met many people who's art has floored me and they always seem to hate it, it seems all artists suffer this, even the masters. I don't think mine is anything special, but people like it and I'm trying to appreciate what others see that I don't, all I can think is art, in any form, is a piece of yourself laid out and when we don't love ourselves enough, we'll never see it as that clear reflection of creativity that others do.
Congratulations on the bronze! Hope that helps with reducing that gap a little more!
"art, in any form, is a piece of yourself laid out and when we don't love ourselves enough..." - THIS! So, incredibly poignant! You're absolutely right. I've always believed in the first part of that statement. That it's the task of every maker to open up their soul to the world, to put the deepest and most vulnerable parts of themselves on display, but loving that part? That's something I've always struggled to do. But something I'm working on these days...
I don’t have any more insights to share other than what’s already been shared, but thank you for this. It’s so important for artists to discuss these “imposter” feelings so we all know we are not alone, and reminders that everything we create is our own unique creation and no one else’s. That’s important in and of itself!
you’re absolutely right! I think the most important thing that any maker can ever hope to do is make other feel less alone. thanks so much for reading and commenting! Means a lot to me!
The second is the hardest by far - but it is also the one that yields the most. Self love and compassion, that is the deepest work. But damn, it ain't easy.
“self love and compassion” - Can’t begin to tell you how much i struggle with this. I started seeing a therapist recently, and this in particular is one of the goals we’ll be pursuing, they’ve got their work cut out for them, lol.
Yeah same - I also started seeing a therapist recently, and yeah, it is something we have worked on a lot. I'm a few months in and am pleased to say I am starting to see some improvements in that area. Slow work though. I hope it goes well for you Duane - good on you for seeking help - that shit ain't easy. <3
So glad to hear it’s been beneficial to you! That’s fantastic! I’m not what you would call a particularly optimistic person, but I’m feeling optimistic about this. Thanks man!
Yeah - I was lucky and found some therapists that really clicked with me. Still struggling y'know, but have a lot more tools to hopefully let go more, and ease up on the judgement mind, find some more peace. That's great you're feeling optimistic about it - hold on to that. It's so worth it I think. Wishing you all the success with it.
Yeah, there's always that concern. Part of what I try to keep in mind about our heroes is that there's some meta-messaging going on with their work that isn't present with ours: if they're well-known, it's impossible to interact with their work without also being told how important it is.
For example, I like a lot of Coleridge's poetry. But in order to read it, I have to buy a paperback littered with blurbs about his monumental contributions to the English canon, massive critical introductions to his poetry and then exhaustive footnotes about where he was and what he was doing when he wrote every line. Quite obviously, no one's doing that with my own writing and it can create a false impression that I must therefore be terrible.
So what I do instead is try to act as a peer to my heroes through my process. I don't focus on how their work is packaged and marketed to me, I remind myself that they, too, were at a desk, writing one line at a time. I try to dedicate time to that, do the best I can do, and let everything else be whatever it's going to be.
The only way to close the gap is by doing the work and learning from it, which requires ignoring the gap's existence.
outstanding example! i would never have thought about it from this angle! Thank you! I think it’s helpful to be aware of the gap, that is, to be aware that you’ve created one, that it is itself a creation. That is an implicit example of an attachment you’re holding on to. A kind of grasping that we would do well to recognize if we hope to let it go.
Really good point! In very large part, we live the reality we make for ourselves. That’s an important way of looking at it, too.
No one who seriously loves poetry expects every piece a writer creates to resonate. (I exempt Wilfred Owen) please do not be discouraged or distressed by the process or the criticism. Keep writing.
That’s very kind, Patris, and will certainly keep it in mind.
Well said!
It’s difficult for us to assess the true value of our work and skills objectively, especially when we're so weighed down by personal biases and distortions—a process that is likely exacerbated by depressed mood. This idea reminds me of a quote I recently encountered on Austin Kleon's blog: “Creative work is very hard,” wrote Sidney Lumet in Making Movies, “and some sort of self-deception is necessary simply in order to start.”
Many congratulations on the Bronze Award - so good to see your work getting the recognition it deserves (although Gold would have been more fitting!). Keep going!
“some sort of self-deception is necessary simply in order to start.” - Wow! That’s exactly it isn’t it?! Thanks so much for sharing that with me!
Thanks for the kind words! Honestly, my mind was blown just by being on the shortlist. I can’t even fathom having won one of the awards! Some of the artists that were in that same grouping are creative people that greatly admire, just doesn’t seem right that I’m included on teh same level as them. But, “personal biases and distortions…exacerbated by a depressed mood” will certainly affect one’s view of things, lol. Thanks again Richard! I appreciate you!
"Sometimes in learning how to make work you love, you have to learn how to love the work you make.
Closing the first gap is a process of development.
Closing the second is an act of grace."
I feel this. 100% Duane!
This is the challenge that we embrace every time we sit down to do the work.
And Congratulations!!! I'm celebrating with you as more eyes begin to appreciate the art you're creating!
It really is a daily challenge. It ebbs and flows. Waxes and wanes. But never really goes away. Thanks for the congratulations! So many people have been so kind to me regarding the announcement, and I’m still not quite sure how to take it, or what to say. So I’ll stick with thank you. It really does mean a lot to me.
“Thank you” is not easy to say. ❤️
Tao Te Ching 9
Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench. Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner. Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity.
(translation by: Stephen Mitchell)
Beautiful! I made it a point to reread the Tao last year. I think it's time I reread it again.
Such a great word.
“unclench” ❤️
Yes!
"Work is done, then forgotten. Therefore it lasts forever." (Tao Te Ching 2)
(translation by: Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English)
Thanks so much for sharing that with me!
I've really come to appreciate your thoughts, Duane. I've found them quite expansive and they always push my thinking a bit further.
Big congrats on the CCM award. I was quite happy to see so many familiar names there. Wonderful.
Thanks so much Elyse’! Can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed and been inspired by your musings and offerings!
Thanks so much for your kind words! It’s baffling to me how I ended up being listed amongst so many artists that I look up to. i just can’t get my head around it, lol.
I've met many people who's art has floored me and they always seem to hate it, it seems all artists suffer this, even the masters. I don't think mine is anything special, but people like it and I'm trying to appreciate what others see that I don't, all I can think is art, in any form, is a piece of yourself laid out and when we don't love ourselves enough, we'll never see it as that clear reflection of creativity that others do.
Congratulations on the bronze! Hope that helps with reducing that gap a little more!
"art, in any form, is a piece of yourself laid out and when we don't love ourselves enough..." - THIS! So, incredibly poignant! You're absolutely right. I've always believed in the first part of that statement. That it's the task of every maker to open up their soul to the world, to put the deepest and most vulnerable parts of themselves on display, but loving that part? That's something I've always struggled to do. But something I'm working on these days...
Hope you get there :)
Wonderful Ideas, again. Thanks for sharing and congratulations on the award! Well deserved I am sure.
Much appreciated David!
I don’t have any more insights to share other than what’s already been shared, but thank you for this. It’s so important for artists to discuss these “imposter” feelings so we all know we are not alone, and reminders that everything we create is our own unique creation and no one else’s. That’s important in and of itself!
you’re absolutely right! I think the most important thing that any maker can ever hope to do is make other feel less alone. thanks so much for reading and commenting! Means a lot to me!
The second is the hardest by far - but it is also the one that yields the most. Self love and compassion, that is the deepest work. But damn, it ain't easy.
“self love and compassion” - Can’t begin to tell you how much i struggle with this. I started seeing a therapist recently, and this in particular is one of the goals we’ll be pursuing, they’ve got their work cut out for them, lol.
Yeah same - I also started seeing a therapist recently, and yeah, it is something we have worked on a lot. I'm a few months in and am pleased to say I am starting to see some improvements in that area. Slow work though. I hope it goes well for you Duane - good on you for seeking help - that shit ain't easy. <3
So glad to hear it’s been beneficial to you! That’s fantastic! I’m not what you would call a particularly optimistic person, but I’m feeling optimistic about this. Thanks man!
Yeah - I was lucky and found some therapists that really clicked with me. Still struggling y'know, but have a lot more tools to hopefully let go more, and ease up on the judgement mind, find some more peace. That's great you're feeling optimistic about it - hold on to that. It's so worth it I think. Wishing you all the success with it.