Something I had to learn early in college, was that I couldn’t allow myself to be attached to the art that I was creating. The reason being, that when it was scrutinized, I felt like my entire life was being insulted. I had to grow apart from my art. This is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, and it is still something I have to continually do. This has had to be applied to other areas of my life. In my job, my ministry, my art, my writing… I have to separate myself from it or it will ultimately destroy me.

“But Scott, I create the best art by pouring everything I am into it. How can you say that seperating the artist from the art is a good idea?”

I get it, many artists can’t fathom the necessity I am alluding to here. That’s ok. What I am talking about is not necessary for being a good artist, but it is a necessity to not losing your mind at a young age.

I too do my best work when I can pour all of myself into a piece. However, the process I am talking about is how you handle things post-creation.

1. Create. Create. Create.
This is the fun part. This is where you throw on your Spotify playlist and go to town. You spend hours writing colors and slinging words all over the place. If you are like me, this part is fulfilling and sometimes full of vibrance and emotion. Your heart, and your vision are getting put on display for the world to witness. You are the very definition of an artist.

2. Self-Examine.
This is a step that I feel is often overlooked by many artists. However, it is probably the most important step of the process… This is where you take an ample amount of time and evaluate your art for yourself, no critiques, just you. It is your opportunity to make changes with your emotions without them being trampled on. Enjoy these moments, for they can be very self revealing. I have often looked back on a piece of music, or a graphic I have done and asked the question, “where did that come from?!?” It’s in those moments that I see a subconscious side of myself on the canvas… And I either love it or absolutely hate it… Either way I am the only that sees it. When we create things, all sides of our mind show their face. Even the parts that we didn’t know existed in us… It is for that reason, that self-examination is necessary.

Disconnect Your Heartstrings
Most people skip right past step 2 and this one as well. This is the hardest part. We MUST DISCONNECT OUR HEARTSTRINGS. I can’t stress that enough. It is totally beautiful to throw ourselves into a piece, project, job, graphic etc…. But at some point, that valve has to be shutdown. This is going to sound completely corny, but I don’t care…. It we leave Heartstrings attached, they often become Hurtstrings. They are a direct line to our identity as an artist. If people love it, we feel satisfaction, but pray we avoid the day that it is not well received. I think it’s funny how we can receive 30 compliments on something we did, but if we get one bad one… That is all it takes to ruin us. It gives opportunity for bitterness, self doubt, and a full array of negative emotions to set in. [NOTE: THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOMEONE THAT DISLIKES YOUR ART] Next thing you know you are painting pictures of sad puppies, wearing all black, and drowning in the ocean…. Maybe that is a little overboard, but i hope you see why it’s important to not give people access to that side of you. Moving on.

The Reveal
This part can either be a roller coaster, or a smooth ride. Depending on if steps 2 and 3 are considered or thrown out. This is where you let anyone and everyone see what you have created. You have an opportunity to let people have opinions, and them not affect your life. It gives you the choice to take the positive affirmation and hug it like a warm blanket fresh out of the dryer, while examining the negative as a tool to make things better, or throw it out all together. Like I said earlier, there will always be someone that dislikes your work. Whether it be rooted in jealous, or just personal taste, you will not please everyone. So just know that. Knowing that thou, will help you in the disconnection process that allows you to step back from your work and let people speak their opinions.

I cannot stress how hard this is, yet how helpful it can be as we move forward in life, work, and in art.

Remember, you are not your art.

You are not your job.

You are not your promotion.

You are not a pink slip.

You are a child of God, and at the end of the day THAT is what matters….

It is a lot easier to disconnect from your art, when you have a loving Father to connect to.