Passion and Pain

Disappointment and rejection are one of my main obstacles in showing my art. As an artist my creations are an extension of my person. The creative process forces the essence of who I am to be extracted. The work is infused with my life force, with my soul. After nurturing these pieces until they are brought to resolution, a type of cathexis is formed. Emotional attachment makes the paintings more than what they actually are, medium on surface. They become precious to me (if no one else).  When I do muster the courage to proffer my precious treasure for the world to see, I do so with trepidation. On the occasion that I offer my favorite gem to be judged, and it is rejected, I am brought to the place of  brokenness and despondency. Temptation to end the cycle of work, hope and wretchedness is great.

If art is a creative call on my life then how can I turn away from that yearning, driving force I have within? Yet to carry on seems like pretense.

 This is the passion and pain that I live, yearning for acknowledgement and fearing the truth.

note:  After this was posted, the painting in this post was accepted by the International Encaustic Artists, Encaustic Masters: Inspirational Visual Voices, juried exhibition.