I can happily talk art and paint all day - truly: ALL DAY - but talking about myself is not something I do easily. I’m a private person but, mostly, I don’t think I’m that interesting. So it was a leap into uncomfortableness when I agreed to sit for an interview with Chris Stafford of The AART Podcast, a podcast about women artists that focuses on the artists’ lives and how they became the creatives that they are.
In preparation, I listened to a couple of the previous interviewees and freaked myself out nicely. I heard fascinating life stories that were filled with art exposure and art education, neither of which I had. And yet, I became an artist. It got me thinking about how that happened.
The interview turned out to be a very enjoyable experience. Chris is a generous interviewer who draws out her subjects and is completely engaged in the conversation. She’s a good listener and asks thoughtful questions. To my surprise, I realized that I am not uninteresting. I shouldn’t be surprised considering that I find most people interesting once I get to know them. We’re all the products of our pasts and hearing people’s histories can give fascinating insights into their present lives.
So that’s a lengthy plug for The AART podcast and all of the worthwhile interviews on it, but it’s also a suggestion for every person reading this: TELL YOUR STORY!
Most artists that I’ve met tend to humility and even insecurity. They shy away from talking about themselves as the creators and, instead, talk about their creations. It’s a comfortable deflection strategy. Discussing the brushes and palettes that we use is so much less vulnerable than discussing the life experiences that made us want to paint in a certain genre or style - or that made us want to paint anything at all. Those are deeper questions and the answers can be worth pondering as you stand in your studio, creating. They can steer you towards making your art more personal, meaningful, and thoughtful.
If there’s a good listener in your life, tell that person about your history and the things that you think made you into the person and artist that you are. You’ll find it thought provoking and, hopefully, deeply satisfying to tell your story. It may even help you make art that is more personal and meaningful in the future.
Happy painting!