Art Changes Things...

An Art Endeavor

The Aesop Project started as an art endeavor I was working on with a group of artists I’d worked with in the past. The Republican National Convention was on its way to Jacksonville. One of the artists I’d worked with previously called me up and said she felt like we needed to do something; something to present Jacksonville artists to the world. She was hoping to use the spotlight that would be shined on Jacksonville to showcase us as artists. I agreed but added that the political nature of the timing couldn’t be escaped. I didn’t want us to squander an opportunity to speak up on several important cultural, civil rights, and human rights moments that had taken place over not just the past year but spanning the entirety of the Trump administration (and further back honestly). I felt we should speak on these issues specifically and not generalize and coalesce into a unity/kumbaya moment. Not that there is no place for it, but it is simply wasn’t the right time. It is because America has eschewed discussing the difficult things, talking around race and other important topics, I believe that we are where we are right now.

…art changes things is my point. It not only changes spaces and surfaces but it also changes perspectives, mindsets, and relationships.

To make a very long and overly dramatic story short, the rest of the group disagreed and in the most disrespectful of ways. I thought it ironic considering they wanted a show of unity. Sad. Considering at that point I’d already shared a number of my project ideas with the group.

Still Compelled

Though a little salty, I still felt compelled to continue forward to complete a project that spoke to current events. I still wanted to work collaboratively with an art crew, so I reached out to other art friends whose work and ideas I’d loved over the years but hadn’t had or created the opportunity to work together and a few folks said yes. Some felt, I’m guessing, that to create artwork in this way would be too political, polarizing, or negative. I didn’t take their desire to not participate personally, simply a manifestation of the culture we live in. People are so often ostracized for their personal opinions; right, wrong, or indifferent. I understood. None of those designations really matter though. To stand up and use your voice for what is right is never a comfortable position. This election is like no other I’ve ever seen. There is no sitting on a fence this time. There is no decision not to participate. We are in a fight for our democracy. This isn’t about politics at all.

My biggest reason for facilitating this collaborative project is because I truly believe that art changes things. I believe that when artists approach a problem or concern they see things from such a unique perspective.

This project to me and the way I have chosen to disseminate the message isn’t about speaking in an echo chamber with those I know who already agree with me, it is about reaching out to those who may be looking at things with an obscured viewpoint.

Dissemination Is The Way

The ways I’ve chosen to share what Aesop has created:

• Asking people to share the first video of a video diptych, I Can’t Believe This Is Happening with their friends, family, and network.

• Projecting I Can’t Believe This Is Happening on abandoned and dilapidated structures (intentionally symbolic of how we’ve abandoned who we say we are as Americans) also changing these spaces where we project the video with art. Which is also kind of my thing.

• Live-streaming I Can’t Believe This Is Happening on Facebook and Instagram

• Asking others to join the movement to not only vote in this election but to be more engaged civically and as humans.

There are other things I’m doing as well, but I digress, art changes things is my point. It not only changes spaces and surfaces but it also changes perspectives, mindsets, and relationships.

See for Yourself

Take a look at “I Can’t Believe This Is Happening”

The Fear Factor. What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?

The Fear Factor. What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid? 

Though I haven’t read Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg’s book Leaning In yet (it is on my reading list), one of the main ideas central to the book that I’ve been hearing about has resonated with me: fear. Fear of what people think of you. Fear of what you cannot do. Fear of what you haven’t even tried yet. Fear of taking a first step. Fear of trying something never attempted before. Fear.

It is amazing how something intangible can control us and mold us. It is impossible to believe that it isn’t a walking and talking entity isn’t it? Physically holding us back and blocking our way. 

Oh, the Things You Could Do….

There is a quote: “To get something you’ve never had you must do something you’ve never done.” How is it possible to do anything with fear standing in your path? What would you be able to do if you didn’t allow all of those silly things you are afraid of get in your way? The answer honestly is not much if you allow it to stop you dead in your tracks. What I’ve found is that the root of most fear grows from thoughts of what someone else is going to think about you. My question is why do you care so much about what someone else thinks about you? Attempting to read someone’s mind is a tiresome exercise and rarely yields the results that you hope for. Why not care more about how you will feel knowing that you missed a great opportunity because you were scared to take a chance?

What would you do though? Would you take those tango lessons?  Would you talk to that chick in Accounting? Would you start your own business? Would you sleep later? Would you wear a hat? I’ve been amazed at the things that people have told me they don’t do or wouldn’t do all out of the fear of it ‘looking stupid’. Really? It’s a little sad when you limit your life and your possibilities in that way; all reduced to how something will ‘look’.

A BA Degree In Fear.

When I was in college I was known for hanging out in the library. Before every graphic design project I would go and gather around 30 books. It was my ritual; my research…or at least I would tell myself that. Don’t get me wrong. I did and still do adore books, but I would spend over half my time ‘researching’. Then I would finally come up with my idea and then get started executing it with much hesitation. I never had enough time to finish my work so therefore many of my design projects sucked more than they should have. Looking back I realize I was scared. Scared my work wasn’t going to look as good as Ali’s, not be as well thought out as Maria’s, and my exacto knife skills wouldn’t match Isobel’s. I was pretty frozen and left undone by comparing myself to others and being afraid I wouldn’t match up.

I realize now how silly that all was. It is sad to think I wasted so much time being scared. It has definitely made me a little more of a risk-taker when it comes to trying new things with my artwork. I know it sounds dramatic but I’ve vowed to not allow my fear to stop me from creating or being creative. No matter how coocoolicious others believe me to be. Doesn’t matter. I’m being true to myself. That’s more important.

There are some pretty serious repercussions to allowing your fear to take control. Here are a few:

Five Consequences of Fear Ruling Your World.

1.  You Over-extend Yourself. Simply put, you don’t know how to say no. You are scared that others will believe you are mean, so you say yes…to everything. But does saying ‘yes’ to everything really make you nice or simply scared to say no? 
2. You Don’t Dream.  You are scared to dream for fear of what you consider ‘eventual’ disappointment. You have to dream. Hopes and dreams are what strengthen our spirits when it seems like the chips are down. They are our light at the end of the tunnel, the silver lining of that cloud, the sun that comes out tomorrow, the…well you get the picture.
3. People Don’t Know Who You Really Are. If you are afraid to share your feelings and thoughts concerned others with have a problem with them, how will others know how or what you really think about things? 
4. You Don’t Fall In Love. Don’t need to say much here do I? Love of anything or anyone leaves you vulnerable. Most of us don’t like to be left that wide open. But I know if I hadn’t fallen in love with art at such a young age I wouldn’t be the person I am today…and I definitely like me.
5. You Can’t Reach Your Full Potential. Fear leaves you in such a weakened state; it compromises your potential to succeed. Using up so much energy worrying about problems that don’t exist and cowering in corners leaves you pretty spent and a little too tired to follow through when it comes to getting things done. 

I’m not saying that you aren’t ever going to be scared. Of course you are. Fear is a natural reaction to challenges that we sometimes face. It is what you do in spite of your fear that can define you today, tomorrow, and for a lifetime.

Giving Thanks For What You CAN Do.

I would be a better artist if I was more like {fill in the blank}. 

We all experience it.

Every now and then we all have that..not so artistic feeling. You are having a bad day. You begin to focus on your weaknesses and the things you aren't so good at executing. The ball keeps rolling, you start looking at all of the things you think you do wrong and BOOM! You are depressed. The next thing you know, you are eating a whole pint of ice cream and now you are eyeballing that bag of chips...  Well stop it! Right this minute!

As an artist I've said many things to myself too. Honestly, mostly positive and encouraging things, but every now and then a not-so-great thought slips through and my artistic self-esteem drops. Not so different from what we do to ourselves as everyday human beings, except as artists, how we treat ourselves on a daily basis affects our product; what and how we produce. The insults we most often hurl at ourselves is comparing our talents/life/productivity/perceived level of success to someone else's. Though everyone has their bad days and this is a natural thing that we do, it is counterproductive. Sitting around crying in your beer (or latte or tea) about what someone else can do and you can't doesn't change things. 

So what CAN you do if you are feeling particularly low and need to pick yourself up a little? Say thank you, that's what.

Psst...I've got a secret...

A year ago this week I read the book "The Magic" by Rhonda Byrne. The same chick that wrote "The Secret". A couple of things about the book struck me right away. First, the title. I love anything to do with magic and mysticism. To my dismay (and delight) I found that there was no fairy dust or warlocks. Second thing that got me is the concept: if you say thank you and show gratitude for what you already have, it opens the door for more opportunities to come your way. Pretty amazing. Just say thank you. My personal theory is that if you are so busy saying thank you (which is positive) you don't have time to complain (which is negative). The other stuff that Ms. Byrne mentions is a bonus for me. Saying thank you simply stops the negative thoughts from coupling and having 'negative thought babies'.

"Now what do you say....?" 

How many times as a toddler or teenager (or adult)  have you been prompted by that phrase? "Now say 'thank you'. "  Now it is your turn to prompt yourself. When you are busy saying 'thank you' for what you can do, you spend less time whining about what you can't do. Therefore more positive energy doing something positive. 

So I ask you, what do you say when you have one of those days where you feel like you can't do anything right? Give thanks for the things you can do right and work towards improvement in other areas. Check out the ideas I have for ways to say 'thank you' for your talents.

Five Ways to Show Gratitude for Your Gifts:

1. Share Them. Volunteer with an organization that allows you share your artistic talents. A Boys and Girls Club, after school program, or non.profit organization might be just the perfect fit. Why not teach a class or donate a piece of art to an auction.
2.  Make a list of at least 10 of your artistic skills and why you are grateful for each one. When you make this list I guarantee you will be surprised at all you can do. You might even find that your list is longer than 10 skills.
3. Make a list of 5 things you've had the opportunity to do or experience because of your talents. What are some things that you would've never experienced if you weren't an artist? Maybe it was a trip or meeting a great friend.
4. Look at 3 of your best pieces. Find something uniquely wonderful about each one and write it down. There is something in each of those pieces that only you are able to execute with a certain flair.
5.  Think on 2 aspects of another artists career that you admire most now think about how you are on your way to making comparable achievements. For example: "James Dowerson has exhibited in 17 galleries this year. I have exhibited in 3 shows this year." This exercise isn't really to compare yourself to another artist but to show you that, in the words of one of my favorite inspirational speakers Wayne Dyer, "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." When you give weight to your accomplishments and acknowledge them it makes a difference and validates your efforts. It acknowledges that you are trying, and that is what is important.

Write all that you've discovered you are thankful for down on a piece of paper. Carry it with you and pull it out when you are feeling a little less than accomplished. It will be a reminder of how awesome you are. 

Finding Your Focus.

Ever sit down to do work and find that you are anxious, easily distracted or simply can’t sit still and focus long enough to get anything done. After an hour or so of pretending to do ‘research’ playing Candy Crush Saga then you just give up all together.

Did I just blow your mind with my telepathic skills? How do I know you so well you ask? I admit I am not telepathic, but I can relate because most of us do the same thing at some point in time or another [though simple tv is my procrastination weapon of choice]. I’ve had days where all that I have to do positively overwhelms me and stops me before I even get started. So how does one keep moving when their brain is on lockdown?

How to fix your brain when it feels broken.

I have a few things that work for me when I need to force myself to work. Some are kooky and some are more acceptable to the masses and a bit more traditional. No matter how you label these suggestions they are here and ripe for the picking. The key is to choose what works best for you so that you can get what you got to do DONE!

1. Create your own ritual. Short definition of ritual: Any act or procedure that is consistently followed. Key word: consistent. This tip is by far, I feel, is the most effective for a lot of people so we shall start here.

Can’t complete a sentence until you’ve had a cup of coffee, tea, or bowl of ice cream? No work until you’ve had a good meal and a shower? Thirty minutes of reading and a good workout to start your day off right?

All of those sound like good ways to get your workday started. Recognize when you have a ritual and a way of starting your day. Don’t fight it. Honor it by completing your daily practice and get going. If you haven’t noticed what you do to get your day going, start paying a little more attention to yourself. Use what you discover to make your work time productive time every day.

2. Exercise.  If you are fidgeting and anxious sometimes a quick burst of activity is just the right thing to get the ants out of your pants.10-15 Jumping jacks.1-2 minutes of      jumping rope. Running in place for 30 seconds. 5 push-ups. Don’t do them all, just pick one or two. The key isn’t to get you tired. The goal is to get your mind and body to focus on the primary activity that you want to perform. This also works if you are feeling a bit sluggish and need to wake up a bit.

3. Pick A Place. Anyplace.  Sometimes you need to get started plain and simple.      Often times we sabotage ourselves by saying we must complete a specific task before we complete another. Not for any reason in particular, just because you have it in your head that it needs to be done that way. Maybe you should start with the task that you most dread.Or start in the middle instead of the beginning. Go ahead and do it. Get it out of the way so that you aren’t dragging your feet to avoid getting to it.

4. Go to sleep.  Are you procrastinating or are you exhausted? Know the difference. If you’ve been working way past your bedtime lately maybe the best thing to do is go      to sleep. No one gets any medals or trophies for passing out at their computer, just a nasty kink in your neck. There is a lot to be said for going to sleep for a few hours [or at least an hour nap if you must work]  and getting up with a fresh [and rested] perspective.

5. Play a singing bowl. I can just hear you now: “A what??” Before you start saying how crazy I am, read more about it.  A singing bowl is known primarily a tool used for      meditation. It has also been thought to be a tool for healing. It is played by running a wooden dowel known as a striker around the rim of the bowl. It is one of the purest, clearest sounds you will ever hear. I love them because whenever I play it feels as if the sound resonates through me  clearing out all the cobwebs. Sounds all cheesy and new agey, but it works for me. Regular meditation without the bowl to focus or clear your mind works pretty well too.

6. Write in a journal. There’s nothing better to clear your mind than getting all those thoughts rolling around in your head out of your head.  Sometimes when you choose to write down those problems, concerns, and ideas cluttering your psyche you actually have the opportunity to work through them or flesh out the idea while simultaneously freeing up space to think about something else! Perfect.

7. Find the best time. Discovering where and what time of day you work best is essential to being productive and keeping focused on your work.  Can you really work with music or the tv on? Are you more alert in the morning or in the evenings? Do you have to hide in a secret place at a library or at home to work effectively? Making these types of personal  assessments will ensure that you are going to be successful when it comes to getting your work done.

8. Go to a movie. ...[or listen to some new music, or go dancing, or go to a concert, or read a book] This tip is two-fold; if you are trying to focus or jumpstart your creative brain. This is definitely my favorite tip for obvious and not so obvious reasons. Sure it seems like a procrastination tool, but just listen to my logic. When you go to an event or happening where other people are being creative it literally refills your creative well when it is reaching critical status. I find that when I am looking at someone else being creative I, myself, end up feeling more inspired and creative. Therefore helping me to think a little out of the box when it comes to problem solving. See! That wrapped up nicely with a bow.

9. Make a list. Last but not least, you should make a list of what you need to do. If you are feeling overwhelmed with the 100 things you believe that you have to do. Make a list. Lists help you fully define what it is that you need to accomplish. There are times when you believe you have lots to do, you make a list only to discover that a number of      your tasks can be combined, streamlined, or eliminated all together. You might find that the 100 things you have to do is actually just 50. Don’t you just love it when that happens?