SPOILER ALERT: If you want to do The Artist’s Way, start here before reading this post.
The end is always the beginning. We say this all the time in our Hopeful World classes. The end of one thing, the beginning of another. So here we are at the end of The Artist’s Way! I really didn’t plan to have it coincide with Passover AND Easter! What is the cosmic significance of that?! Emancipation and resurrection!!! A little synchronicity right here on the blog, friends!
Recovering a Sense of Faith
What’s funny is that I didn’t realize I had lost my faith but upon reflection I think I did. Around this same time last year, I was really committed to swimming upstream and doing things I had no business doing for the sake of doing something “important.”
A couple of weeks ago, I sat across the table from Danielle and cried. I couldn’t help it. As much as I generally and genuinely want to put on a happy face for the world this process of exposing myself and my art every day has required all my courage. I have to battle that inner voice that says, Oh puleeeease, you’re not starving or in danger of being gunned down by warlords. You’re drawing! And another thing… YOU’RE DRAWING!!!
I told Danielle that for the first time (maybe ever), I feel the wobbliness of being really vulnerable—not hiding behind Suzanne who is supporting moms in the so very important role of birthing and raising our future or Jen, who is creating a whole new Hopeful World! Their “bliss” surely are more worthy of attention. And Danielle reminded me that what I’m doing (yes, drawing!) is important in a different way and showing my kids what courage looks like.
How apropos, seeing as it was my daughter who inspired me to get to this point. She’s always saying, “My mom is an artist.” I finally heard it. I finally saw what she saw, mirrored back to me. And I was scared… because what is an artist that doesn’t make art? How can I expect my children to claim themselves if I couldn’t?
The clarity and wisdom of my 13 year old (who seven years ago picked the name “Faith” as her online persona), the quiet persistence of my elders, and the encouragement of my friends—all of these got me here, to the last chapter of The Artist’s Way in 2015.
What’s different? What do I know now after this 12-week journey? To be honest, I was kind of expecting a big reveal, like on the home makeover shows… when the homeowner comes back and discovers something she never ever expected was possible!!! And yet, it’s still her stuff in the room—minus a few things and plus a few things and put together in a way she didn’t think of before. What did my “person makeover” reveal?
So simple: I’m an artist. I always have been. But now I make art. Every. Day.
That’s what it means to be an artist: make art—good art, bad art, art that people love, art that people buy, art that people don’t care for, art that no one sees—it makes no difference. My job is to make it. That is enough. It seems so simple and yet, not so easy.
Julia’s parting thoughts in The Artist’s Way are on Sacred Circles—of creating a community that nurtures creativity and art. We all need a tribe.
The End is the Beginning
So again, a synchronicity. Without knowing what was coming in Chapter 12, I had the urge to start a monthly art giveaway for members of my tribe. The first Share Sunday is tomorrow, Easter/Passover Sunday!
Also this month, we’ll begin the Artist’s Sketch series. I’m inviting other artists to share their thoughts on creativity and the artist’s life, in short form. Not an hour-long audio or 30-minute video or 200-page memoir. Just a “sketch”— a 5-question Q&A that can be taken in like a warm and welcome cup of tea.
Please Join Me
Please join me in creating a Sacred Circle right here on the blog. If this feels like nectar to you, I invite you to be part of it. Sign up for your monthly gift of art AND a heads up of each Artist’s Sketch as they happen.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Your presence here holds me up and means the world.
The Artist’s Way Posts
Week 1: Recovering a Sense of Safety
Week 2: Recovering a Sense of Identity
Week 3: Recovering a Sense of Power
Week 4: Recovering a Sense of Integrity
Week 5: Recovering a Sense of Possibility
Week 6: Recovering a Sense of Abundance
Week 7: Recovering a Sense of Connection
Week 8: Recovering a Sense of Strength
Week 9: Recovering a Sense of Compassion
Week 10: Recovering a Sense of Self-Protection
Week 11: Recovering a Sense of Autonomy
Week 12: Recovering a Sense of Faith