These are the words I heard this weekend from my energy healing session with Mary Spicer. The session was a gift from my sister Michelle (thank you Mich!), while I was visiting with her this weekend in Alamada, CA.
It was something that I really needed to hear. I love my work and feel so blessed to do what I do! Very fortunate. But, like every artist I feel pressure that my work is never good enough... like I've not yet found myself stylistically. This makes sense I guess — I mean as artists we are always discovering ourselves and finding our own style. But this feeling of never being "enough" is always in the background. Mary explained that I am working from my base chakra where my fear of money or not being good enough comes from. She also told me that I need to allow my child self to come through and to work alongside her in my art and journaling. Children create to please themselves, not others. They create purely, trust in themselves and never worry about being good enough. Wise little people, aren't they!? :)
My meeting with Mary was incredible and very healing. The entire weekend seemed filled with serendipitious moments. On the flight out to San Francsico, I sat next to a very sweet lady and we got talking. Turns out that she is an incredible illustrator! Anne Keenan-Higgins creates whimsical and elegant illustrations that spoke to my soul! We hit it off immediately, got out our IPads, payed for in-flight WiFi and surfed together, sharing the art that we love on Pinterest and talking the whole flight. It was so much fun!
Between meeting Anne and my session with Mary, I was completely re-energized creatively! On my flight back home last night, as soon as we took off, I pulled out my tiny mixed media journal, my inktense pencils and a watercolor brush and doodled and painted for 3 hours! I wasn't even nervous about flying (something I usually hate). When the gentlemen next to me asked, "Are you an artist?", I hesitated—about to explain to him that no, I am just a graphic designer, and create scrapbooking products, etc etc. Instead, I just laughed and replied, "Yes, Yes! I guess I am"!
xo
N
Oh, I love this, Nancie! What a wonderful experience and that definitely deserves its own layout/s. I've been feeling a bit like I'm stuck in a rut with my art, so I'm just being careful with how I am when I play, what I'm thinking and feeling, and then trying to shift my thinking when I find myself obsessing too much on if it's "good enough."
Posted by: mrshobbes | February 07, 2012 at 10:57 PM
If you're not an artist, I don't know who is! I love how honest you are in this post. I've got some work to do today and I am going to be that child who creates for herself. Thanks for the inspiration!!! :)
Posted by: Melanie | February 08, 2012 at 12:38 PM
Gosh, Nancie! I think you're an amazing artist - it would never occur to me that you considered yourself anything else! I'm so glad you had a good session with Mary Spicer - we need you too keep making your beautiful art! Hugs!
Posted by: VickiR | February 13, 2012 at 08:34 PM
Nancie, I love this post!! Oh, yes, we can be so hard on ourselves...your words speak of such a truth that we artists carry in our hearts. You offer such inspiration to me, and this post just reminds me that we all go through these feelings...no matter what level we are at. I love the quote about children...I'm going to make sure that "little girl" in me starts hanging out in my studio more often! :) Just the other day I was telling my husband about how I had such a strong imagination as a child (still do!) and how I was feeling a bit frustrated regarding something I was working on. He said, "Where is that little girl?...Find her...she's in there. Keep her alive." Think I'll make an inspiration out of the quote you shared! What a beautiful and fun opportunity to meet such a special friend during your flight! Hugs...*I always love seeing your creations...thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Ann-Margaret | February 26, 2012 at 12:21 AM
This post is so special! Why do we rob ourselves of the acceptance of our gifts. Then, too, we never think we are good enough. My granddaughter draws and she is constantly asking me if "it" is good? I certainly can relate to how we are "thanked" when we have allowed ourselves to experience adventures that stretch us. The meeting on the plane was the topping on the dessert. Yes, you are an artist and yes you are good enough! So glad I was led to your site this morning!
Posted by: Claret Belle | March 14, 2012 at 07:37 AM