Facing Fear with Art Journaling

My goals for the new year always seem to formulate early, so it comes as no surprise that the last few weeks have been filled with thoughts of what needs attention or change in 2015. My goal for this next year is to address the fear that comes with a certain kind of uncertainty.

Some uncertainty can be very exciting, as in traveling in a foreign land. Not having plans or knowing what’s around the corner can get your adrenalin going and create a certain excitement not generally present in one’s daily life.

Uncertainty about one’s personal life, what direction it should take, where to focus one’s creative expression or how to cover expenses is another matter entirely. Having faith during this type of uncertainty can be challenging at times.

During  “challenging” uncertainty, we can choose to either be bogged down by fear or push forward. We can be motivated or paralyzed. David Bayles and Ted Orland write in Art & Fear, “Uncertainty is the essential, inevitable and all-pervasive companion to your desire to make art. And tolerance for uncertainty is the prerequisite to succeeding.”

So how does one sink in and get comfortable with the uncomfortable? FAITH! Faith that the Universe is perfect and self-correcting. Faith that one would neither have the desire nor ability to create art if it wasn’t meant to be used. Faith that everything is happening for a reason and that one is always in the right place at the right time.

This past year, I’ve faced this fear by delving into Gelli printing. I learned to work fast, let go of my thoughts, push past thinking and land deeply in the creative energy of “being.” It has been exciting. I still have no idea why I felt such a strong pull in this direction, but I do know that I trusted that this was my next step. I accepted this new challenge wholeheartedly and the results paid off. I taught 3 mini workshops and shared my enthusiasm with others. It has been so enriching, and such a blast!

Now I am being pulled in a new direction. Art Journaling.

The Art Journaling process requires me to let go and trust on a whole new level. I can’t help but believe that this is symbolic of what’s to come in the new year. I believe that facing my fear of laying down black marks, when the piece might almost be done (since I’m terrified I’ll just ruin it) — is going to catapult me forward in unexpected and fantastic realms. We’ll see. I’ll keep you posted.

If you’re interested in the Art Journaling process there might be a group that meets near you. I encourage you to get out your art materials and just play!