Does it matter what others think?

In this post, I share some simple ways to boost your confidence.

One of the New Zealand artists I have admired for many years is Gretchen Albrecht. Gretchen has exhibited in New Zealand and internationally for more than 35 years. I love her broad sweeps of saturated colour in vibrant, diluted hues. Recently, while in Auckland I visited Richard at The International Art Centre and had the great fortune of seeing one of her massive half-circle canvases up close and personal.

I imagine she has been influenced by another American artist I love, Helen Frankenthaler who invented the soak-stain colour field style of colour. When I look at her bio I read,

“Since the 1970s, Albrecht’s work has evolved from the poured acrylic ‘stained canvases’ for which she first gained widespread recognition, into a pair of signature ‘shaped-canvas’ formats: the hemisphere (half circle) & the oval. These are shapes that Albrecht associates with particular meanings & states of mind.”

So it was unexpected and high-praise (to me) when someone commented on an image I shared of my lastest, and largest work, “Very Gretchen Albrecht.”

When I first received this feedback, I said to my partner, “Wow, that’s really nice,” especially as I had copied or referenced any of either artist’s work but created from the landscape of my mind when I created “Really Gorgeous”

Another artist likened this painting to ‘an iris in bloom’ which I love too. Especially as I have often admired the abstracted flowers of pioneering artist Georgia O’Keeffe.

Does it matter what others think of your work or who they liken you to? To matter is to place importance of significance to something. I have always enjoyed collecting feedback that resonates with things more important to me. Not because I need acceptance, or approval, (although I once did so very much). In this case, because I admire these trailblazing artists so much, simply put, “these comments make my heart glad.”

We must remember that peoples comments and perceptions are theirs and their alone. They come from their own lens and experience.

Importantly, Pretty Gorgeous is my own vision-pouring from my soul in a spontaneous outpouring of delight, inspired by the beauty of the Bay of Islands. I loved the painting which began as a play date with myself. I decided to “risk it”, and fork out money to have it stretched onto a support and enjoy it on our walls until she finds her forever home. I had originally painted it on unstretched canvas on the floor of my studio and also out in the fields. I love painting this way.

“Someone else’s vision will never be as good as your own vision of yourself. Live and die with it ’cause in the end it’s all you have. Lose it and you lose yourself and everything else. I should have listened to myself.” ~ Georgia O’Keeffe.

It feels exciting to be a discovery painter and to allow my art to speak to me and take me to places I have never been. I credit lyrical abstract artist Emily Mason for this insight.

In summary, It’s lovely to receive feedback that gives you a boost. I like to store it in an Evernote file and look at it to shore my confidence and joy if my mood goes low. By the same token criticism can be a very helpful tool – even if it is not intended that way. A have shared how a person I have never met before asked me at a dinner party if I was, “That woman who paints like a child.”

“Yes, I am,” I said, cheerfully. He looked deflated! I am the woman who follows the pied-piper of delight.

Take a peek at some images of Pretty Gorgeous here

https://shop.cassandragaisford.com/product/pretty-gorgeous/

Pretty Gorgeous is also the cover art for my new release: The Joyful Artist: Freeing the Artist Within.

Free The Artist Within

Are you an established artist, a hobbyist, or someone fascinated by artists, their creative process and their lives? Whatever your motivation there’s something for everyone in The Joyful Artist.

In this book, award-winning artist, Reiki master and creativity coach Cassandra Gaisford (BCA, Dip Psych) shares insights into her creative process.

This book expands upon an interview that appeared in 2021 on 123art.Net where Cassandra was asked to share:

• How she started

• Some of the stories behind her popular artworks

• Real-life situations that sparked ideas

• The eclectic tools she uses

• Her creative process

• How her art has evolved

• Memorable responses

• And what’s next on the horizon



The Joyful Artist will inspire and encourage you to free the artist within, move towards your art, and have it sustain you and your life.

EXCLUSIVE TO AMAZON

Universal Link
mybook.to/TheJoyfulArtist

Posted in: Blog