Nothing is Precious

I taught my first public art class yesterday.  I was prepared enough.  In my life I ride the line between winging it and planning.  This is what I now consider balance.  I started creating to break free from planning everything.  What that really means is learning how to let go of control.  I used to try to keep myself safe by controlling every aspect of my life.  I wanted things to be predictable. The more I would try to control, the more thrown off balance I became when things did not go as expected. Can you relate?  Are you laughing with me at the absurdity?

Since my mission is to inspire people to create without judgment, I show up by not judging myself for not having my speech scripted and my classes prepared down to the last detail.  I build white space in my life for unexpected things to happen.  Remember how I mentioned it was my first public art class?  Do you think anyone expected me to have it all figured out?  If I would have waited until I had it all figured out, I would never have taught the class.

Are you wondering how this relates to “nothing is precious”?  At the beginning of the class I asked people to tell us a little about themselves and if they have a creative outlet.  One artist said “nothing is precious”.  I knew what that meant. It is something that I say frequently. When I say it to people they usually pull back like I just slapped them.  I can promise you I am not heartless.

I create to express myself. For me it is all about the process of creating, not the end result.  The whole point is to just create. Create without judgment.  Art supplies are meant to be used. If we treat them like fine China and leave them on the shelf are they fulfilling their purpose?  Are you scared to use them because they were expensive?  Are you afraid of wasting them? Why?

There is nothing so precious that it should not be used.  It is more wasteful to leave them untouched than not let yourself create with them. The money is already spent. The real question to ask is why are you judging what you will create before you have even started? 

If I offer to share my art supplies with you, please don’t be afraid to waste them. 

Nothing is precious.  Use the supplies, no matter how expensive they are.  Create the art, no matter how much you like or dislike it.  Let yourself create without judgment. I believe in you.  Do you believe in yourself?

Juanita