The Struggle

The struggle is a powerful offering of insight and perspective. In each piece I create, there are points where I’m deeply immersed in the struggle; wrestling, writhing, feeling frustrated that I can’t do what I want to do and I’m absolutely convinced that I’ve ‘ruined’ the work and am ready to throw it or burn it- it’s a process all deeply committed artists know too well (this process also applies to everything else in life).

However, in these moments where I am engaged in the struggle, rather than reacting out of frustration and destroying my work instantly, I now can identify that I’m ‘just in it’ and know that the only way out is through the other side. Through the frustration. Through the guilt. Through the shame. Courage to persevere and let it become something other than the idea which originally dwelled in my head is a key ingredient. It becomes a collaboration.

It is in this way that I can actually see how much I’ve grown as a person… it is shocking to say the least. Working with the struggle rather than against it rewards one with a new way to translate personal language/expression, regardless of the outcome, and this is growth in action.

This evening I am bursting with thankfulness for the struggle in everything. It is inevitable and repetitive and a highly intelligent teacher ❤️