What you want to be considered resides in the perception of others.
What you do is who you actually are.
You make art to find out about yourself, not to impress anonymous, imaginary people. You can always impress them in your fantasy, but they will never give you what you actually seek, your own approval. The best art is stamped authentic and good by its maker. Without that, it is imitation. The gift is to not die before witnessing your own creation, by meeting yourself in the mirror of art.
You know you have done it when it grows. The doing of more is the sign of approval. If it’s not currently growing, stop the part that stops you. Every path to good art begins in a tangled jungle of bad art. Bad art is not a sign you are a bad artist. The art we reject is just the metal shavings falling off the knife as it is sharpened.
Sidewalk Face 799
Sidewalk Face 
Totally agree. We make to live. And art is making.
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Thank you Josie! So glad it resonates!
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Amen.
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Not bird not badger not beaver not bee
Many creatures must
make, but only one must seek
within itself what to make
from “Lament For the Makers”
by Frank Bidart, https://www.josieholford.com/making-images/
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So Beautiful! Thank you so much Josie!
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Wise words, beautifully written. Thanks for this Caren.
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You made my day Mariss!
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♡wow. beautiful♡
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Thank you!
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