And you know what… that evening, I got an email judging my decision to share my work. Yep. My worst fear came true.
Ouch.
But you know what… I survived. I did not burst into flames. In fact my knee jerk reaction was, no… no no NO! NOT an option. Lookie there. I just got an opportunity to test my resolve.
You may remember this article from a few month ago. So, here I am, where the rubber meets the road, faced with living my own advice.
I am so grateful.
Not because I agree with the business advice (which I do not — tomato, tomatoe…whatever), but because I would like to think this sucker punch was meant to be delivered in the spirit of kindness. What I got was a chance to look at my resolve. Which on that evening was screaming so loud in my head.
YES! Showing my work is part of my why I make art.
I understand not everyone will like my work and I am okay with that. Just please do not tell me I am wasting my time.
The image above is not her scarf. I wish so bad I had a picture of that scarf, but her textile has inspired some of my work. The texture was just awesome.
I swear, I will never tell you, you are wasting your time making art.
You will always be good enough to make art. Not everyone will like your stuff and that is ok. Your voice matters. Your art is your visual language. Think of all the cultural art that tell the stories of ancient cultures. I know you may not think a scarf is a cultural icon, but think of how you feel and the memories that come up when you look at your work years later. In a public sense art is the same thing. Your voice contributing to culture, no matter how small. How awesome is that?
Don’t be afraid to show your work. I did, I was judged and in the end found a beautiful insight into my heart and a new resolve to keep keeping on. I know it can be scary to be so vulnerable. But, know that I stand behind you no matter where you are in your artistic journey. I mean that for everyone of you. And while the work is about your heart and not the money, do not hesitate to really calculate the true value of your time and expertise. Devaluing art is such a horrible culture to overcome.
My question for you… Has someone ever made you feel like your work was not good enough? Share below in the comments or privately if you prefer. I want to have the opportunity to respond to you with loving encouragement.
Hey, please please please continue to share pictures of your work with me. Your work inspires me so much.
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Fiber artist Stacey Budge-Kamison AKA UrbanGypZ lives and works in Cary NC. She can also be found knitting in public, hammering out her latest e-course at local cafés and spinning yarns in her booth at her favorite arts festivals. A designer at heart, Stacey has decided that her mission is to help fellow knitters, crocheters, weavers and felters embrace their own style and creativity by exploring fiber art as it is a part of their everyday life and helping them embrace the title of artist no matter where they are in their journey. 
Negativity towards art often says more about the critic than the art. In addition to other things, I made wet-felted hand dyed scarves and cowls that intentionally have holes, fringe, color variations, etc. that make them one-of-a-kind. Once, at a festival, a women commented scornfully, ‘what good is a scarf with holes in it.’ After the initial shock of the comment, I just had to laugh. Some people just don’t get it — and that’s okay! Keep doing what you do!
Oh how I wish others understood that kind of texture in fiber art. I find it so rich. So glad you got to the place of seeing the humor. Your work has always inspired me personally (truth). Thanks for the encouragement.
Lace scarves have all kinds of holes in them… just saying.
As a knitter for 34 years and former yarn shop owner, I have seen a lot of knit work, some of it good, some of it bad and some of it flat out strange. Your scarves are the bomb. You deserve to be proud of your work. Ignore the naysayers, lift those shoulders high and keep on truckin’ girly girl.
Thank You Beki!
I have – and not only is my work not good enough, but I’m not good enough to be making it! It’s hard not to take it personally – even though my head says they’re the one with the problem not me, my heart still hurts.
What hurts more though are the ones who are critical who then turn around and steal your ideas, call them their own and act like it was their idea first.
OMG Lea, I physically felt a blow to my chest reading your story. I am so sorry someone was so cruel. And stealing without giving kudos, is so very wrong. You are good enough NO MATTER WHAT. Good enough is just a matter of taste and it is so subjective. Your voice is important. I know it feel counter intuitive, but the more your work is out there, the more unique you become and harder to step from. Sending love. xo
I know the feeling, and am lucky to have some very supportive mentors and my own gut feeling that I need – no, HAVE – to keep stretching, keep exploring. When I sell a piece, it’s a truly magical feeling, and I always tell people “thanks for supporting my obsession!”….because that’s what it is. Bravo to you and to all of us who jump off cliffs and invent our wings on the way down (which is actually UP!).
So, how do we share pics with you?
So inspiring! and yes up is more accurate indeed! You can either share pictures as a post on my FB page here. Or email them directly to urbangypz@charter.net
I learned that criticism did not really matter when the piece was rejected from one show because of the combinations of fibers I used and how “inappropriate” they were – only to be accepted at a show that was slightly more prestigious, for the “innovative” combination of fibers and colors. I laughed (then – not at the rejection) but it helped me learn that the only opinion that mattered was mine, and was I happy with the piece.
Inappropriate fibers made me giggle snort just a little… That is awesome!
Great article! It’s super scary to share your work with the world, and never mind putting a fair price tag on it! It’s also really nice to get encouragement from a fellow artist. It’s too easy to criticize or judge their work against your own or feel like your own isn’t good enough. So thank you for these posts! You are inspiring me to put myself out there!!!
Thank you Jaime! And I am so glad my articles resonate. Warm fuzzy yay! Can’t wait to cheer you on.
Stacey, it hurts me that someone criticized your work. All of your work is wonderful, and art is truly in the eye of the beholder. Keep on doing what you are doing. You are really courageous to do what you love for a living.
Aw Thank You Kimi!xoxox
I’m late reading the blog post (out of town and decided to disconnect – I had time to knit!!). I couldn’t wait to click here and here to see what you posted. It was exactly what I expected – fun, colorful, quirky and definately not the norm – awesome wearable art! I loved it and thank you for sharing! The colorways you create for yarn are also awesome – I love your use of color and that you choose not to follow the color rules. My creative side needs a kick start every now and then so many thanks to people like you who are way more creative and talented than I am and are willing to put your stuff out there for everyone to see. It may not always be my cup of tea but I appreciate the energy/time/work that went into the craft and it inspires me to try new things or choose colors I wouldn’t normally. I can’t wait to knit my first ‘holey’ scarf!
Thank Wendy. I really appreciate your message. And I can’t wait to see that hole scarf too. Be sure to send me some pictures. xoxox
I love what you create. All my life I’ve been told I’m simply not a creative person. It’s paralyzed me to the point of huge anxiety over creating anything at all. I’m working on it, though. I have three (!) skeins of handspun yarn. Hidden away of course but at least they’re there. You give me inspiration.
Michelle, woot! you go! I am so very sorry the stories you have been bearing are that you are not a creative person. Your bravery to overcome this myths inspires ME! Thank you so much for sharing.
Stacey,
You already know what a fan I am of your beautiful, thoughtful, soulful fiber art,
But your courage and encouragement is so inspirational. I have always been surrounded by “friends” who don’t understand not only my creations or the passion that I feel to create. It’s okay, it gives me such pleasure to follow my heart and my attention span which is not a lack of follow through, because I always stay with something long enough to accomplish it, but my intense curiosity for all of the creative arts. It always amazes me that people feel the need to crush your spirit, personally, I think it is jealousy. I’m older now and pay no attention to such comments. Pricing is another matter, perhaps not as confident with that! My daughter once saw what I was going to price an item on Etsy…she shrieked and said oh no, it should be much higher. She insisted and I listed it at the higher price.
It sold within 3 days! So there….confidence woman!!❤️
I just want to hug your daughter for talking you into raising those prices. Thank you for your kind words, but honestly it is the courage that I see in you guys…like being brave enough to raising the value (<--- see what I did there? ) of your time and genius that inspires the heck out of me. xo
Thank you for your openess about your art.
I have a FB photo album that I post to.. my friends who see it would never diss me, so I am kinda playing it safe. I occasionally will say, this needs a home.. money goes to charity.. I have only sold one.. and donated about 3 to charity events.. so for all those who say they LOVE IT… they do not put their money where their mouth is. 😉
All the best to you,
I loved this post!! I am sad there have been so many people who have had their art criticized….it can be soul crushing!!! I was an art major back in the day. My grandmother came to a show and said of my work.. “That’s not art!!!” in the most derogatory way…and so now I am in another profession. But now that I am 50 I want to embrace my art again. I am more confident and have hopefully grown up more in the past 30 years.
Thank you for being brave enough to share yourself with us!!! I have found your blogs to be inspiring!!!