Developing my artistic style and taking risks

Hi Everyone!

I thought I would catch you up with an arty post today and chat with you about how my artistic style is developing and what new risks I've been taking with it.

Although I've been practising art all of my life, it is only within the past year and a bit that I have been consciously exploring and developing my signature style. And it is only within the past couple of months I have actually felt brave enough to talk about it!

When asked to describe my art, I am quite comfortable now with saying "I paint mixed media fantasy art, y'know, fairies and angels and mermaids." But I never really describe my style, just the subject matter. I'm not sure why, as I feel fairly comfortable with my style and if specifically asked I would say "large eyes, angular features and lots of colour with loose flowing hair".

Maybe it is something I will grow into describing. I feel it is still part of my self preservation from rejection strategy. Sometimes I feel I have to justify why my portraits aren't hyper realistic - "I like painting eyes so I make my eyes the focus by enlarging them". Or "I wish I had long flowing blue hair so that's why she does."

What I have noticed more recently is that I am a lot more comfortable and confident with describing my art. I actively bring it up in conversations and I enjoy talking about it and showing it to people.

I think part of that has come from practice, from embracing feeling self concious and letting that feeling sit wih me and then pass through; acknowledged but not pandered to. I also think I've been more able to talk about my art and what I paint from just taking that risk of rejection and riding with it!

 Forcing myself into the uncomfortable depths of conversation where you bare a little bit of your soul and show a stranger your latest painting. And so far I actually haven't been rejected or laughed at or pitied (oh, you think you are an artist?) I've only ever had enjoyable and thought provoking conversations!

I know of course there are some people out there who won't feel comfortable enough within themselves or have perhaps suffered emotional rejection in the past that will cause them to judge or scorn but I hope that as I work on my own courage and confidence; if that happens I will choose the best path of reaction.

It's a deeply scary thing for me, putting my art out there. Especially my recent (past 6 months) collective as it has gone up a level of meaning and concept and style. But for every fear I have, deep down I know I have triple, quadruple that of loving people gently supporting me and cheering me on from the wings.

So I shall keep at it! Keep sharing, keep developing and keep taking risks.

I super recommend it - the yield is far greater than living in fear of rejection and the path, though long and scary, is a wonderful one to walk down.

Emily (aka Little Lyra) xx