What would you give to be in the presence of peace? Soul relieving, mind refreshing, heart-warming peace? What would you do about it? Where would you go for it? Where is it? Where could you find it? And how did you know it was your pen, brush, ink, and paint that deserved all your pain and peace to create the safe space that would free you and me?
Art heals. Sometimes, you witness art that starts peeling away at your very being to reveal whatever emotion is hiding inside, helping you realize further understanding. It burns away all that was to bring cooling waters to baptize you in sentiments brought forth by the artist, whether they intended it or not. It's the inner plot that unfolds within you as the art consumes what you were to create who you are and eventually change into who you will be.
As artists, we often find times when we cannot even create because of blocks, lack of time, too much time, life “lifing”, and every reason in between. And, yes, I chose not to write excuses on purpose. Because these are legitimate reasons. All art is different. The artists are different. The process of creation isn’t easy. No matter how much you may love your medium of creation, it can drain you while in this safe space of innovation.
Oddly enough, artists can operate in pain and joy simultaneously in artistic conception. It's a misconception that we must always enjoy or appreciate what we do. Just like how a relationship can be home to the best and worst parts of your life, so can your passion. It can heal and hurt. Burn and birth you. And that’s okay. This safe space can only be safe because you’ve already done so much in your artistic journey to even breathe the ashes of what you were through this process. You might choke, cry, or scream, but by the time you finally get to breathe, you finally get to see what peace can be.
Essentially, I urge you to be the artist that’s within you. Create your safe space. Don’t conflate or deflate yourself in the process. And best believe I mean process, as you’re constantly assessing your relationship with your space, and what it’s shaping up to be. You’ll see what your creations give you and me.
