I follow quite a few artists and makers because I love to see their process. I find it encouraging. Living in community, one's life is an open book to community members, and having 100s of visitors a year opens us up to scrutiny. So in the last 7 years, I have gotten used to sharing on a personal level with others who I don't know well, and having strangers observing my life and making comments on it. This is great preparation for sharing a building project on Substack. Easy in comparison, I would say. I might feel differently once we get more interactive with subscribers, but generally I can't wait for that part.
Also, I've gotten loads of positive feedback, especially from women, about the project and what we're working on achieving, so I guess I expect it from subscribers. Feeling like I'm on the right track helps me feel comfortable with sharing our full process.
A common feeling among artists is the dread that comes with a "glaring" mistake. That need to redo it because of a tear out, a misplaced brushstroke, or a line that just wont erase. It's good to remind ourselves that our harshest critic is ourselves. It makes me nervous but also excited to show a work in progress. Especially when experimenting with new techniques. But slowly it has become just another part of my process.
As a recovering perfectionist, I really struggle to share my work before it feels perfect (which is never). Even when I watch this video, my mind goes to all the things I would improve and do differently. There was a time where that would keep me from sharing it at all- but now I understand the value of sharing the process.
As a viewer or reader, I LOVE reading and watching creators who are brave enough to share the messy parts of creativity. I find it so powerful and it helps me to feel less alone.
I love the edge of letting things go, Liz. That’s been something I’ve been embracing a lot now that I’m nowhere near the projects happening at my house. There’s really no upside to micromanaging Kyle from across the country - or in person. I catch myself and say, “But I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” Because he will and he has been and it’s been incredibly endearing to watch that process from so far away. I love that he’s having to struggle through all these things and show himself (and me) that he’s entirely capable of doing all the hard things. I like to think that, on top of actually getting all these things done, he’s gaining self-confidence and feeling more capable of doing whatever it is.
It was also surprising (to me) to feel pleased or happy to hear that including people has made things better, Ciaran. I’m such a control freak at times that I have a hard time letting that control go, letting someone else touch the thing that is my precious. But I have found that what you said is true, when I do a thing with someone it’s better. It might not be better in a tangible way, but there’s this thing we did together and the feeling of it, the memories, the experience, the bonding.. that’s what feels better.
Oh I love work in progress! Especially when it shows mistakes and aaaargh darnit moments.
It’s much more inspiring than being shown only what worked out. Means someone else made mistakes and carried on and figured it out… THEREFORE mistakes are not the end of the world, end of the project, “proof” that I can’t possibly do whatever it is. ❤️
I follow quite a few artists and makers because I love to see their process. I find it encouraging. Living in community, one's life is an open book to community members, and having 100s of visitors a year opens us up to scrutiny. So in the last 7 years, I have gotten used to sharing on a personal level with others who I don't know well, and having strangers observing my life and making comments on it. This is great preparation for sharing a building project on Substack. Easy in comparison, I would say. I might feel differently once we get more interactive with subscribers, but generally I can't wait for that part.
Also, I've gotten loads of positive feedback, especially from women, about the project and what we're working on achieving, so I guess I expect it from subscribers. Feeling like I'm on the right track helps me feel comfortable with sharing our full process.
A common feeling among artists is the dread that comes with a "glaring" mistake. That need to redo it because of a tear out, a misplaced brushstroke, or a line that just wont erase. It's good to remind ourselves that our harshest critic is ourselves. It makes me nervous but also excited to show a work in progress. Especially when experimenting with new techniques. But slowly it has become just another part of my process.
As a recovering perfectionist, I really struggle to share my work before it feels perfect (which is never). Even when I watch this video, my mind goes to all the things I would improve and do differently. There was a time where that would keep me from sharing it at all- but now I understand the value of sharing the process.
As a viewer or reader, I LOVE reading and watching creators who are brave enough to share the messy parts of creativity. I find it so powerful and it helps me to feel less alone.
I love the edge of letting things go, Liz. That’s been something I’ve been embracing a lot now that I’m nowhere near the projects happening at my house. There’s really no upside to micromanaging Kyle from across the country - or in person. I catch myself and say, “But I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” Because he will and he has been and it’s been incredibly endearing to watch that process from so far away. I love that he’s having to struggle through all these things and show himself (and me) that he’s entirely capable of doing all the hard things. I like to think that, on top of actually getting all these things done, he’s gaining self-confidence and feeling more capable of doing whatever it is.
It was also surprising (to me) to feel pleased or happy to hear that including people has made things better, Ciaran. I’m such a control freak at times that I have a hard time letting that control go, letting someone else touch the thing that is my precious. But I have found that what you said is true, when I do a thing with someone it’s better. It might not be better in a tangible way, but there’s this thing we did together and the feeling of it, the memories, the experience, the bonding.. that’s what feels better.
Oh I love work in progress! Especially when it shows mistakes and aaaargh darnit moments.
It’s much more inspiring than being shown only what worked out. Means someone else made mistakes and carried on and figured it out… THEREFORE mistakes are not the end of the world, end of the project, “proof” that I can’t possibly do whatever it is. ❤️