{"id":4346,"date":"2015-11-12T19:06:06","date_gmt":"2015-11-12T19:06:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mindfulartstudio.com\/?p=4346"},"modified":"2016-06-13T18:30:21","modified_gmt":"2016-06-13T18:30:21","slug":"just-keep-creating","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mindfulartstudio.com\/just-keep-creating\/","title":{"rendered":"Just Keep Creating"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\"Just<\/a><\/h3>\n
Create Because You Must<\/h6>\n

I want you to believe in your art. No matter what others might say, or how much self-doubt you might feel, you ARE an artist. If you are reading this blog, chances are, whether you indulge this feeling or not, you feel the need to create in your bones. Do you want to paint? Write novels? Create music? Dance? Don’t worry about the outcomes, every art form is a practice. The process\u00a0matters. [bctt tweet=”Create because you need to. Create because you love it. Create because you must.”]<\/p>\n

Fueling Your Creative Dreams<\/h6>\n

When I was in college, I discovered the books of Isabel Allende.\u00a0I’ve been an enthusiast for years, reading her interviews, buying her cookbook, watching her TED talk<\/a>\u00a0on living passionately, and of course reading her novels. By the time I was studying abroad in Spain, I could read all her books in Spanish, which thrilled me.<\/p>\n

Many of her books have changed my perspectives, made me laugh, and helped me creatively in one way or another, but no book\u00a0moved me more than Paula<\/a>,* an extended letter to her daughter who died. I was moved by her love for her daughter, and all of the candid and magical stories she was willing to share about\u00a0her own life. I was inspired by the way she found hope and love over and over again despite adversity.<\/p>\n

I wrote to Isabel Allende\u00a0to share a bit of my own story and tell her why her book moved me. It felt important to give back somehow. One afternoon I got a letter from a California address with\u00a0no name. When I opened it, I saw\u00a0she had written back.\u00a0Exhilarated, I jumped around my apartment like a lunatic. Ever since then, I’ve dreamed of meeting her.<\/p>\n

Last night, I was lucky enough to see her speak in Cambridge, MA and cued up with about 15 others to ask questions. When it was my turn, I felt really choked up, almost 20 years later, this letter still moves me. I introduced myself, and told her how receiving her note was one of the most meaningful moments in my life. Being able to thank her personally was powerful, and I could see her expression, and I think it meant something to her as well.<\/p>\n

Her note made me feel special because\u00a0she took the time to write me. But it speaks to me for many reasons. It speaks to me about the importance of taking creative dreams seriously, and having the courage to reach out. I didn’t have to take the risk of writing a famous author, but I did. Isabel Allende didn’t\u00a0have to write to me, but she did. Art can connect people who have never met in a very real and powerful way. That gives me a lot of hope about art and humanity.<\/p>\n

Isabel Allende\u00a0dreamed she could write a novel. She’s written 20. I dreamed I could share my art and help others believe in their art, and I’m living that dream through this blog.\u00a0No, you won’t always succeed, you won’t reach everyone, but sometimes you WILL reach people, and that’s worth taking chances for.\u00a0What’s your dream?<\/p>\n

[bctt tweet=”You and your art are worth taking chances for. “]<\/p>\n

What Happens When You Take Your Imagination Seriously<\/h6>\n

I’ve been wanting to share this TED talk with you for some time. The artist, internationally renowned sculptor, Janet Echelman, was rejected by every art school to which she applied. Her story is inspiring because she dared, and continues to dare, to take herself, her art, and her dreams seriously. I can’t wait for you to see the wonder that happens because of her creative courage. I’d love to hear your comments on creative courage, art’s power to connect us, and what happens when you believe in yourself.<\/p>\n

Janet Echelman: Taking Imagination Seriously<\/a><\/p>\n

*This is an affiliate link, if you click on it and purchase, I will receive a small commission. If you do, I hope you love this book as much as I do.<\/p>\n

If you are moved by this post, please share it with someone you love with one of the social media buttons or by copying and pasting the link. I share all my latest art inspiration and projects\u00a0on Instagram @AmyMaricle<\/a> if you’d like to join me on an art journey. You can also be sure to find out about recent posts and special goodies for my mailing list here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0 Create Because You Must I want you to believe in your art. No matter what others might say, or how much self-doubt you might feel, you ARE an artist. If you are reading this blog, chances are, whether you indulge this feeling or not, you feel the need to create in your bones. Do […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_wp_convertkit_post_meta":{"form":"-1","landing_page":"0","tag":"0","restrict_content":"0"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[179],"tags":[429,186,428,426,423,431,432,425,424,430,427],"class_list":["post-4346","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-creative-self-care","tag-art-and-connection","tag-art-and-fear","tag-art-connects-us","tag-creativity-takes-courage","tag-how-to-be-an-artist","tag-how-to-become-an-artist","tag-how-to-make-good-art","tag-isabel-allende","tag-janet-echelman","tag-overcoming-artistic-fears","tag-taking-imagination-seriously"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nJust Keep Creating<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Just keep creating and reaching out. 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