We read fairy tales because they sweep us off our feet. They take us on a journey and we join in whole heartedly experiencing every twist and turn the main character takes till he/she lives happily ever after. The authors of these stories create a fantasy, but are the stories honest? Are they representations of the life they are living or creating a life they would like to live?
Art as a healing modality can benefit from brutal honesty and a bit of fantasy. The brutal honest means that your art is true, a representation of the life you’re living. It doesn’t matter if it’s “pretty” as long as it’s real. George Orwell shared, “Autobiography is only to be trusted when it reveals something disgraceful.” Our art is our autobiography, are you willing to share the good, the bad, and the ugly?
I’ve been studying the art of autobiography for some time now and I’m continually amazed at the revelations shared by people. There is an energy of renewal when you read, view, hear someone’s story and experience how these people overcame life’s interruptions. When you’re honest in your art you give yourself the gift of freedom. There is no shame, no hiding, and no judgment. Your story can’t be denied!
Art allows you to expose yourself without getting arrested. You can show your true self and that allows others to follow your journey. We are all artists because we’re all storytellers. Our lives are meant to be shared; how we share it is up to us. We create because we’re all strands in life’s tapestry. It’s imperative to tell your story honestly because without your strand in the tapestry the world would be incomplete.
Keeping your art honest creates a natural flow. When you’re creating art as a reflection of your life story there is an ease since you don’t have to make it up. I think George Orwell is right; making art that is honest/trusted means showing not only the persona of who we think others want us to be, but who we really are walking in this world!
Looking to heal part of your life and looking for education, support, and inspiration? Visit http://www.survivingstrong.com
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Time to Live Creatively 