FEAR OF

Got it?

• What are the similarities between the artists interviewed in this article? What are the differences? All of the artists featured and interviewed in the articles are involved in the creative process: writing, interpreting, facilitating, making art and music etc. It would seem to me that any differences are rightly synthesized through connection to bring a bigger picture to life. There may be failures specific to each discipline, but overall it is wise to note that no artist is alone in their experience of failure. If we know this is a universal language, we can have meaningful, robust conversations which ultimately benefit the art world (Ahem! The world, period!) tremendously.
• Is there anything discussed in this article that you can relate to? Fears are lies. If I listen to my fears I’d never leave the house. Gosh, even the house is a scary place, really. The thread of perseverance throughout the articles was something I can relate to. There is so much talk in the world about age and I gotta tune that out. Good for young people doing big things, but I’m going to do what is best for me and in my own time. My time is now, its always now! I like the idea of Perry Chen having only 15 people at his talk at ITP/NYU. That reminded me to do my best for any audience of any size. Also he talked about feeling “jitters” and Geoff Nuttall said he always gets nervous when performing. Marina Abramovic mentioned something similar in her documentary The Artist is Present. Both artists said something to the effect of: I get nervous if I’m NOT feeling nervous about a performance. I feel nervous either way. That I can relate to.
• Do you believe that taking risks and pushing boundaries is important to the creative process? Why or why not? Oh, yes, of course it is! Its impossible to move forward without pushing any boundaries. Even if they’re small, remember- there’s always gravity and friction to overcome. Ground must be broken for something to grow.
• Do you experience fear of failure? When? How do you think it has impacted you positively or negatively? Fear of failure has had the largest impact on my life by being a roadblock. It is the moving past that stagnancy that is the truth of the matter: making is ALWAYS a success. I think a big way I’ve learned this can be seen when I am not able to work for a long period of time. When I get back into the studio there’s this urgency to do something valuable but its not until after I’ve shaken off the rust that I can see the machine is still in good working order. Any  movement is good, even if it seems to be backward. In other words: being in the studio and doing something is a whole heck of a lot better than not being in the studio and making nothing!
• How do you think you can support your students as their teacher when they encounter the "fear of failure"? Culturally, this has to be interwoven into the fabric of the classroom. Failures will be celebrated and discussed frankly and openly. If the teacher honors the process, and embraces the outposts thereof, the students will find it a natural part of their work.
• One other thing, friends. A little food for thought. There is another fear hiding in the shadows. That is the fear of success! Some creatives don’t struggle with this because they thing the world owes them something and they’re entitled to it. Golly gracious good for you! Others of us, however, wonder whether good things could ever come together and what-ever would we do if we had to face success? I don’t know how to be a real artist or how to actually have my own classroom or studio or audience!! Well, of course you don’t, but you’ll be ready to find out when you get there. A human baby has a nine-month gestation period and every one of those moments prepare the parents for its arrival. Enjoy whatever season of artistic growth you’re in and you’ll be ready for the big thing when it comes!