Bare Bones

by Leigh

Every year...around this same time...I write about winter trees. I'm pretty sure every single year I have written about my love for tree silhouettes.  So imagine my excitement when our monthly theme happens to be tree branches!  I always say that you get to know trees in the winter when they are naked and exposed.  Their truth shows through when they aren't clothed by their leaves.  This is when we can see all gnarly branches, broken limbs, and peeling trunks.  

That got me thinking.  Maybe that's why I am so drawn to trees in the winter.  I see parallels between us and the trees.  Without their covering...without the distraction of the flashy colored leaves or the bright blooming flowers we see trees at their most vulnerable state.  We see exactly what they are....and all their imperfections.  If you aren't familiar with Brene Brown she is a research professor that has studied courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy and written about it in many of her best selling books.  In her book, The Gifts of Imperfection, she defines vulnerability as this:  

Vulnerability-willingness to show up and be seen with no 

guarantee of outcome-is our greatest measure of courage.

That's what the trees represent for me.  I see them as brave, vulnerable, courageous.  They remind me that despite my flaws I can show up, be seen and be worthy of love.

Look at the winter trees.  Really look at them...study them...appreciate them.  We are connected to everything and everyone around us in some way.  

“We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection.

Love is not something we give or get; it is something that we nurture and grow, a connection that can only be cultivated between two people when it exists within each one of them – we can only love others as much as we love ourselves.

Shame, blame, disrespect, betrayal, and the withholding of affection damage the roots from which love grows. Love can only survive these injuries if they are acknowledged, healed and rare.” 
― Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are

Hey, I Feel That Way Too!

by Judy

I love this time of year.  With summer right around the corner there are all sorts of activities and events planned near where I live, and in all the towns up and down the Hudson River. This weekend, a nearby town's Art Alliance has a summer kick off event called Open Studios. 

This is a fabulous day- long event where you can visit the artist in his or her studio, see where he or she creates, asks questions, see how they tick, and view their work.  I'm always in awe when I visit, and to tell you the truth, a little bit jealous.  Some of the artists have beautiful studios overlooking the city streets.  Oh, who am I kidding, even the basement studios are so inspiring, and I love visiting them all!

In the past, I've felt a little intimidated when I enter. What am I going to say? Am I interrupting their artistic flow? I've imagined that they must feel so comfortable and at ease. I've assumed that they feel accomplished and secure with their work, and very successful. 

This year I happen to know two of the artists who will be participating in Open Studios.  Imagine my surprise when I found out that all of my assumptions were wrong!

One of the artists is a photographer, the other creates jewelry and is a painter, and both of them told me they feel very vulnerable letting people into their studios.  Although they tell me they love their work, and feel like they've found their true calling, they both said that at times they feel like maybe, just maybe, their work isn't good enough.  Instead of feeling successful and at ease, they sometimes feel insecurity. One even told me she's waiting for someone to find out that she isn't really "all that."  I must tell you, I was shocked.  Here are two very accomplished artists feeling the same feelings that I have felt, and maybe some of you have felt the same way too.  

Putting ourselves "out there" through our art is difficult.  It can make us feel vulnerable.  We feel exposed. What if nobody likes it?  What if nobody comes?  What if I'm not good enough? For many of us, our public persona is slightly, or greatly, different from our private persona.  We tend to put up walls -  some high, some not so high, but walls just the same.  When we put our art into the world we are exposing ourselves. Our art reveals who we really are, how we see things, and possibly what we were feeling when we created our art.

This summer, as you visit museums, galleries, art shows, and festivals, remember to give those featured artists a little bit of love.  Remember that they are feeling some insecurities as they show themselves to the world.  Remember that they have the same fears as we do, but they took that leap, summoned their courage, and shared themselves.

We create because it's part of who we are.  Show the world who you are. Don't be afraid to pull those paintings out at the next family get-together.  Post your photos on a photo sharing site.  Hang your work in your home for everyone to see.  Enter your work in a contest.  Hang your work in a gallery. Professional and amateur alike, we all feel the same insecurities.  Don't let those feelings stop YOU from sharing yourself.

"Creativity takes courage." -Henri Matisse-