TRANSCRIPT from my interview with filmmaker Sidharta Pascual.
The Artist’s Journey is similar to the Hero’s Journey. In both cases, you’re answering the call of your creative journey.
You’re living your life and you yearn for something- meaning, aliveness or a sense of adventure.
And then one day you finally answer the call. You say yes to your longing and you step into the unknown and you’re immediately plunged into perils.
And the perils are self doubt, not knowing, fear, inner criticism, second guessing, overthinking, procrastination, avoidance and even resignation.
But the good news is that guides show up. These may be mentors, teachers, other artists.
And the guides help you.
And yet even then, one day you’ll reach that moment of the dark night of the soul where you have the greatest self doubt. You don’t know what to do. You think: Why did I even try this?
And this is the moment of your greatest self transformation.
When it seems like nothing is happening- everything is happening.
And to me the transformation is trusting yourself- trusting yourself to risk, to experiment, to explore, to continue on your path even while you’re afraid. And this is what I’m here to guide you through.
I’m here to help you believe in yourself, to take those risks and to do your deepest work.
And then you’ll realize that art is reflective of life- and we continue this journey, whatever we’re doing- whether it be art or living our lives or going on an expedition.
My philosophy about art is that it’s an expression of your aliveness and meaning
Creating is making meaning.
What’s important is that you find your way as you go, as you paint. That you dig deep inside of yourself to bring out what is true for you- that’s what makes art alive and full of wonder. It’s when you show us YOU- what you love, what you’re about, what you’re exploring. THAT is what people love. It’s alive with meaning.
Art is continually evolving.
Being an artist is about not knowing. It’s continually evolving the work.
Sidharta: “It’s ok to not know?”
It’s wonderful to not know.
Sidharta: “It sounds so weird”
Right.
There’s a psychoanalyst named Christopher Bollas who has written a book called The Unthought Known. That is the knowing before thought. There is a truth in you, before words, that knows. It’s accessing that knowing- which in a way might be saying that it’s an unknowing. It’s getting beyond words, it’s getting beyond thinking.
It’s getting into the space of knowing and not knowing, which is a paradox.
Sidharta: “And art helps you access that- is that correct?”
Yes. Art helps you to access the paradoxes.
Art is about evolution
It’s about evolving the work. It’s not about staying static and continually repeating yourself. It’s about taking risks and experimenting. That is creativity.
Much gratitude from my studio to yours,
Nancy
P.S. Scroll down and leave me a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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Zero to one.
What is so hard about that?
A lot.
Going from zero to non-zero is where the problems lies.
Every product, painting and poem starts in the same place , zero.
Making that first mark on the paper is an act filled with fear and danger..
The fear of failure.
The danger of the unknow..the dark side.
The Answer is there is no such thing as failure..every ugly paint has a lot to tell us.
Give your self the freedom to fail..the liberty’ to learn!
So simple.
Common sense.
Well it my makes sense..but it not very common.
Nancy’s book clearly provides insights in to turn fear in to action, darkness in to light.
Looking forward applying Nancy’s principals
Many thanks Nancy for a great book
Yes, yes, yes Bob!!! You articulate this so well!!! And thank you from the bottom of my heart for your wonderful endorsement of the book. I deeply appreciate you! Warmly, Nancy
your article expressed what is lacking in my creative expression. I’ll start something wonderful and then I go into boring robot mode and the more I try to let go, the deeper I seem to sink. I know I’m not creating honestly and it’s very painful because I can’t seem to find my voice even though I know it’s in there. I appreciate your words as they reminded me not to give up. Some of my paintings are good, some….meh but the bottom line is finding a way to be real in what I paint. I’m afraid I guess to trust myself. Painting is like my life force yet this struggle continues. What the hell am I so afraid of? That maybe I have nothing to say? That wouldn’t make sense. Anyway blablarantrant, thanks for your article, maybe I should read it every day. Cheers ✌??
What you wrote is so penetrating and compelling Tara. You encapsulated the struggle so many artists grapple with at various points in the life cycle of creating. I think one of the traps we fall into is trying too hard- even trying too hard to loosen up or relax! Yes, keep reading my writings Tara. This is what I address- the inner journey, the one that affects everything.
Wonderful! Thank you for saying, putting in words that what I didn’t know I know.
Thank you for your thoughts. At this point in my life I feel that journey is moe important than the arrival. I am glad that I came to be happy with that. As far as mr. bollas statement I feel that what he means is “instinct”. I strongly believe that we should be sensitive and learn to listen to instinct while being able to put a leash on it as necessary.
as reading from you I was wandering if you give a workshop in Maine, during the year.
TWaiting for further remarks, thank for sharing your experience
Marion
Nancy, I have started to feel comfy in the dark night of the souls and when I feel blocked is actually the best feeling, because I know from prior experience, my best work will follow!
Thank You for being you!
Namaste, Lisa
Lisa,
Your words gave me a big smile. I love it! The dark night of the soul is actually our friend. Yes- the best is right there waiting for us.
Thank you for being YOU too!
Warmly,
Nancy