Speak Your Truth
"Finding your voice as an artist is like finding a treasure map to your own soul. Follow it fearlessly and let your art shine." - Georgia O'Keeffe
Creatives are a peculiar breed: they possess the ability to express the seemingly inexpressible and bring us directly into the worlds of their own perception and emotion. Whether with words and cadence, lines and shapes, or sounds and rhythm, artists make something out of nothing. It’s sheer sorcery! But beyond the work itself lies a fundamental aspect that distinguishes the serious (and by serious, I mean a person who works at their craft) artist from the paint-by-number or Paint & Sip painter: their unique voice. There’s nothing at all wrong with a hobby painter; it’s just not what I’m talking about here today.
I understand why it's important for artists to find and embrace their own distinctive voice: it’s the how, and the “how do you know when you’re speaking with that voice” that I’ve been pondering.
Picture this: you're a budding artist, sitting alone in your studio, surrounded by a pile of half-finished canvases with a confused expression on your face thinking, “What separates me from every other person who ever held a brush? Nothing is new, plenty of people have painted this same thing before me. Why am I bothering? What makes me special and different? What is my artistic voice?”
Your voice is simply the lens through which you perceive the world, and your art is the medium through which you share your unique perspective. It's that elusive, magical quality that sets you apart from the other creatives out there.
Once you've discovered and maybe put some words around your voice, how do you run with it and express yourself like nobody's watching? (especially your inner critic: that b*tch needs to remember she’s not the boss of you and sit back down while you work.)
"The world doesn't need more copies; it needs your unique perspective. Embrace your voice and paint the canvas of life with authenticity." - Pablo Picasso
Your artistic voice is not about merely shouting your opinions or waxing poetic about your cat's adventures. It's about the emotional and intellectual connections you forge with your audience, allowing them to experience the world through your beautifully warped rose or chartreuse-colored lenses.
I’ve talked about this connection thing before. I think we make art because we want to be seen; we want to create new neural pathways between ourselves and others. We want another human to pause in front of the work of our heart and soul and say to themselves, “Oh, yes, I see what you’ve done there. I understand the emotion, I feel the expression”.
That’s it! That’s all we want!
But if we don’t express it in our own voice, it will not reflect our essence and we will not make those connections. I see this all the time on Instagram and FB when early stage artists proudly post images they have created that are near replicas of the work of the artist they just took a class with. I know exactly whose students they are. The work looks like the instructor’s work, but it does not share their voice and it also lacks the distinct voice of the person who painted it! It is basically speechless.
Sure, we all have to learn and grow, pick up new techniques, and come to understand how a master accomplishes what they do, but then we have to figure out how to incorporate those learnings into the soup that is us. Shake all that stuff well before serving. It shouldn’t be so hard, yet I know so many creatives who agonize over whether or not they’ve been able to express the honest-to-goodness and authentic “truth” in their work.
Frankly, using The Voice may be too big a job for each piece we turn out. Maybe some of it just gets to whisper quietly rather than speaking with The Voice. I don’t always have something pithy to reveal to the world, but that doesn’t stop me from yammering on. It’s still my voice, just not as important. It’s ok.
"Your voice is your fingerprint in the artistic realm. Don't be afraid to let it leave a lasting impression." - Frida Kahlo
At the end of the day, knowing your voice is essential because it helps you carve out a niche in the artistic world. It's your distinct flavor, your secret sauce, your own KFC spice blend. Without it, your work is just another stop at a strip mall in middle Generica on the highway of mediocrity.
Your voice attracts fans, critics, and patrons alike. It's what makes people stop, take notice, and say, "Hey, this person's art is different. It's refreshing, inspiring, and it speaks to my innermost desires”, or “OMG! This brings tears to my eyes, I must take it home with me”. On the other hand sometimes you overhear the things that sting: “My four year old could make that”, or “WTH is that mess?”, or “Why would anyone spend XXX $ on that crap?” Yep, that will happen too. You know what? Those are not your people. They do not speak your language and they never will. Go talk to the ones who do.
So, my dear creative souls, embrace your uniqueness, seize your paintbrushes, pens, or interpretive dance shoes, and let your voices be heard. Don't be afraid to push it until it’s really “you” speaking through your work.
I’m trying every day. Sometimes I get that free, often, I don’t, but I’m at it again the next day. I try to remember that finding and using my voice is a journey, and it won't happen overnight or in a straight line. It takes time, experimentation, and maybe a few embarrassing mishaps along the way. It’s all part of the process. All the images you see on this post are my attempts at using my voice (and are available as 8x10 prints, just shoot me an email for details). In the ones I feel I was successful in voicing, I remember being quite unconscious when I made them, or that my brain was not the one running the show. It think what Nick Cave says is true:
“Art doesn’t like being told what to do. It doesn’t like me getting in the way.”
In a world filled with countless creatives vying for attention, your voice is your superpower. It's what sets you apart, what gives your art meaning, and what ultimately brings joy and wonder to those who experience it.
I will leave you one more famous artist quote to chew on. Let it guide you towards creating art that truly reflects who you are:
"Artistic voice is not about being loud, but about being honest. Speak your truth through your creations." - Vincent van Gogh
As ever, thank you for coming along with me on this journey, reading, commenting, connecting, and being part of the dialogue. You are who makes me think and learn and grow. I am grateful.
Just wonderful truth!
What a wonderful reflection. Thank you!