Image: WIP “ Reporting” (gouache on paper)

I had a delightful email exchange recently with a friend who has known me since the early stages of my career as an artist. This friend was experiencing a serious case of the “Doubts” because someone had discouraged them from creating. They doubted if their works were worthy of being shown and they asked me if I thought they should keep making, keep creating.

It became clear to me in our exchange that they thought I’d always been surrounded by encouragement and by this time in my career that I was without artistic doubts from time to time. I laughed aloud, “Ha! If they only knew!”

And so, in the spirit of encouragement I let this person know:

Since the very beginning I created without parental/family encouragement. Wanting to pursue a life of creating was the same as saying, “ I’m creating a space craft to fly to the moon…” —audacious, foolish and highly impractical. But the best gift I ever received was the lack of guidance. Without any strings attached to my dreams I was free to fly off with a sense of self determination and yes, plenty of doubt.

Early on, a teacher told me I’d never be an illustrator. No explanation, just decided to act like some “Oracle of Art” . But yet again—another gift. Never assume that everyone will like my art. It also fueled my stubbornness to forge ahead and seek out mentors who could realistically encourage me.

So my reply to these questions about doubts:

Yes, we all have them—me included! But thankfully that hard wired urge to create on most days (!) overrides these doubts and fuels me to keep searching, learning, growing and going! So find your people*. Find the folks who “get” what you’re trying to accomplish. Keep creating!

*I want to thank you for your encouragement along the way. Your constructive and kind thoughts are greatly appreciated. I hope I can do the same for you!

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.