My dearest introverted art kids,
I’d like to start off by saying that I feel you, I really do. Whether you write, draw, paint, dance, play an instrument, or sing I really understand the struggle you’re going through.
I think that, nowadays, there’s this image of “art kids” as really eccentric people who come off strong with their opinions, tastes, and sometimes looks. Even as if an artist has to be very intense and passionate in every aspect of their life; drinking to forget, smoking cigarettes because we all eventually die anyway.
Well, truth is, many people out there just aren’t like that. And if you are one of those people then you are amazing and just as valid. In my opinion, the beauty of art, any art, is how different and personal it is to each artist individually. People feel and perceive things in diverse ways, two people don’t live the same experience equally. Therefor, people express themselves in so many ways and they are all incredibly interesting and beautiful.
There are so many art-inclined people out there that are maybe too shy or insecure to put themselves in such vulnerable positions before the eyes of others.
There’s fear of rejection, dislike, criticism or indifference. “What if someone thinks my painting is stupid?”, or “What if someone laughs at the poem I wrote?”. It’s very scary to be so bold and open for other people when you’re afraid they might not respect it or misunderstand it.
To all these people fearing failure or criticism (and I’m including myself here as well): your art, your craft, is truly special and unique. It’s yours, an extension of who you are as a person, and if you’re not ready to share it with the word just yet that’s okay. Take your time, gather the courage; just don’t let it consume you and dare taking risks because, at the end of the day, what you feel and think is always worth sharing. How you express these things through your art will never not be valid, you are valid.
Yes, it’s not easy and you can’t expect everyone to love what you do; you will be rejected, people will say ‘thank you, but no’ because they have different tastes and preferences and that’s just fine. You might feel alone or worthless at times, but trust me when I say that there’s a place for all of us in this world, and you will find a place where people love and appreciate what you do.
But that can’t be done if you don’t step a little bit out of your comfort zone, so go ahead and take a chance. It’ll be okay, you’ll be okay.
All the love,
Paz
