Week 41 - Introvert/Extravert

Artists are people driven by the tension between the desire to communicate and the desire to hide.

Donald Woods

I found this quote on Facebook this week, and it just felt right.

End of the Season - Acrylic on canvas - 12"x12"

I'm an extraverted introvert, or possibly an introverted extravert.

People who know me may be surprised by this, as I can come across as extraverted sometimes. I've had a lot of practice showing confidence in what I'm doing, even though I may be feeling exactly the opposite.

I have the desire to create, to give my interpretation of the world a voice. I do this mostly through my painting these days.

It's always been a struggle to communicate thoughts and emotions for fear of judgment and exposing my oh so vulnerable artist spirit. I believe I'm not alone in this, that it's true for many artists.

I have an innate urge to share my experiences, perspectives, and emotions with the world. But, even after a lifetime of being an artist, it's not something I'm totally comfortable doing.

This tension isn't all bad though. It can act as a driving force, pushing me to experiment with new techniques, styles, and concepts in order to find the perfect balance between expression and concealment. This tension can also lead to periods of introspection and self-reflection, to grapple with my own creative visions and motivations.

Ultimately, the tension between the desire to communicate and the desire to hide is an integral part of the artistic process. It fuels creativity, adds depth to the artwork, and invites the audience to actively engage with the art. By embracing this tension, artists can create truly impactful and meaningful work.