Originally posted http://www.rennatatropeano.com/growingunique/?p=133
This weekend I attended an art show where I looked at a number of pieces and felt that I should have entered the show.
I didn’t because I felt that my work just was not good enough to enter this particular show. While looking at the show I found myself measuring each piece of art against my own work. I was thinking how similar or dissimilar each piece was in terms of style, skill level, subject matter, color choices and technique. My favorites were the ones that were of a higher skill level in a similar style with similar color choices. The subject matter and technique seemed to be the areas that I was more willing to be open to something new. Not completely open because subject matter also fell into the the area of which I was most critical.
It was the ones of a different color pallet and subject matter that made me look at them and think, I should have entered. I felt that my skill level was on par or better than a few of the artists, but I would know better than to paint ________ in ___________ color.
The truly ironic thing is guess which paintings won. The painting of the _____ and the one with the odd colors.
While the image I choose is grey, it is not because I am feeling down. It is because it is one that I was thinking of doing for a different contest, one that had to be done in shades of black white and grey.
I am feeling very optimistic, and encouraged as I review my works in progress as I feel more confidant in sending them out into the world. WIP Review, the plane is nearing completion, and I have pulled out the pencils and watercolors to work with those media for a bit. I have not put the acrylic away yet, as I want to create some fall paintings, and I may even go ahead with my monochromatic painting.
We really do have to fight against that little voice that whispers “not quite good enough,” don’t we? It is a very subtle saboteur…