Dear Reader,

When you meet new people, they often tend to ask what you do for a living. Most people answer that by saying various professions that everyone is quite familiar with, so further explanation is not often required. However, when you tell someone that you’re an artist, folks can often look quite confused or generally not know what to say to that. So you usually follow that up by telling them what type of art you do. If the look of confusion persists or even veers on the cusp incredulity, you might even add how long you’ve been working as an artist or feel that you need to qualify your abilities by listing events and shows you’ve participated in over the years. I have been guilty of over-explaining what I do to people who have not seemed receptive. But, the question is, why do artists feel the need to explain themselves? I’ve even known artists who actually felt shame about even referring to themselves as an artist because in some way they thought it might sound pretentious. I’m sure this is possible, depending on the person. But, if you’re worrying about sounding pretentious, something tells me that you probably won’t sound that way.

The general public tends to view making art as more of a hobby, and something that folks like me do to pass the time. In truth, for me and many others, art is definitely not a hobby. A hobby implies something casual, but for many of us, art is our passion. It’s what drives us and sustains us. I make art every day. And, when I’m not making it, I think about it all the time. It’s what I think about when I wake up and what I think about before I go to sleep at night. When I make art, nothing else exists. Even time fades away, as I get lost in my projects. When I pull myself away from whatever I’m working on to do adult tasks, it feels like I’ve been awakened from a beautiful dream. And, I often resent the dishes and the laundry when they tear me away from my happy place. Unlike life, I don’t overthink art, which is why it’s so magical.

Artists just see the world differently. In my earliest memories, I remember being very observant. I noticed things which most people might overlook, or find insignificant. When I was very little, those things might be the way the sunlight looked when it streamed through the window and shined on the wall. I also paid special attention to patterns I would see on the floors or the walls. I’ve mostly lived in very old houses, so things were certainly not perfect, which was a treasure trove of visual stories for my imagination. Maybe it was an interesting knot or pattern on the wooden floor or an ever so slight raised spot on a plaster wall that might resemble a shape that looked like a face or an animal. As I got a bit older and my world expanded, so did my observations. I’d notice interesting things everywhere. Not just what I could see, but what I could hear, touch, and even smell. The world has always been a fascinating place to me. It’s probably why I like to walk so much. Walking gives you plenty of time to take things slow and notice the world around you.

So, how can we, as artists, stop this need to validate ourselves when we are asked what we do for a living? First of all, I think that we need to own the title and embrace our identity. Some people think that you can’t call yourself an artist if you do not generate income from your work. I’ve been making and selling art for many years, but even if I never sold a thing, I’d still be an artist. Being an artist is not based on how much you earn. It’s a way of living and viewing the world.

All children are artists. the problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.

-Picasso

May you find the artist within as you view the world with your senses. I truly appreciate all of you who choose to be here and read my newsletter.

xo,

Christa

Last week at a glance

• I gathered a bunch of fabric for a new sewing project. I haven’t been feeling motivated to sew lately, which is fine. I don’t force things when that happens. Instead, I just wait for an idea to come to me. And, today I’m going to start a new project.

• I finished a couple of books.

• My husband put up some peg board displays for me in the studio, so I spent some time organizing things. I think I’m going to have him put up another one as well.

• I completely reorganized my studio only to find out that what I had in mind didn’t work, and I put things back in the same place. I think since my studio is small, I’m going to rotate small displays out seasonally or whimsically. I realized that I have to leave the larger furniture where it is for the space to feel the most open.

• I worked on a paper clay project which ultimately I wasn’t happy with and I couldn’t fix it, so I had to throw it away. It happens.

• I went to Creative Reuse and bought some more paint and yarn. Hopefully new yarn will get me motivated to crochet, because ever since I finished my dress I haven’t started a new project.

• My family started watching Friends. My husband and I have seen it several times, but it’s the first time for the kids, and they like it.

• Check out the three in a row triple bull’s eye I got playing darts.

  

• I watched a guy attempt to remove ice from his sidewalk (not really necessary from what I saw) using a hammer, a small board, and a pair of safety goggles. What’s happening?

• My husband and I went to The Art and Coffee Crawl at Urban Arts House. There’s always such a nice crowd there. We had a good time talking to people and eating delicious cinnamon rolls made by my husband. Did you know that he’s a chef and we used to own/operate a restaurant? It seems like a lifetime ago. Probably because it was. Thanks to the customer who bought some jewelry from me.

• I called my bff and we talked for over an hour.

  Links

  Email: wildchildfibers@gmail.com

  Website: https://www.wildchildfibers.com

  If you’re in Marietta, you can find my work at

  River Pearl Studio.

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