audra arr, abstract art, home page, home

Jumping the Hurdle

by | Sep 22, 2017 | Art

You are your own worst enemy. If you can learn to stop expecting impossible perfection, in yourself and others, you may find the happiness that has always eluded you.

-Lisa Kleypas

Since I’ve been an adult, living on my own, I’ve always dreamed of having the time and resources to pursue my creative passions. What I have learned in the last four years, however, is that having the time and resources just isn’t enough if I don’t have faith in myself.

Congratulations! Now What?

Honestly, when my family moved to the Texas Hill Country four years ago, it wasn’t decided that I’d not get an office job. We knew we could afford for me to stay home, but it wasn’t planned when we made up our minds to leave the rat race that is southern California. The first two years, I homeschooled our daughter, so creating my art wasn’t something I could devote as much time to as I would have liked. When we decided to send our daughter to public school, you would think I could have ramped up my artistic output, but you’d be wrong. Insomnia and my continued battle with bipolar disorder kept me sidelined for so long. I’m starting to get my groove back, so to speak, but the toll on my psyche still resonates.

Getting Out of My Own Way

It is so easy for me to view other artist’s work and get down on myself for not being as good as they are. Then the voice in my head, too often ignored, reminds me, art is subjective. It’s not my job to decide if my art is likeable or appreciated. It’s just my job to create. Besides, if some “artists” can get away with creating canvases that essentially look like a bad drywall job, surely my own ain’t so bad.

Just Keep Swimming

If I truly want to become a successful artist, I need to get past the obstacle of self-doubt and put in more effort than I’ve been making. Towards that end, I’m making changes to my shop and adding some more products to my Zazzle store. With so many pieces in my portfolio, this project will take a while, but I’ll be updating at least three pieces a week, so stay tuned!

If any of the designs below tickle your fancy, click on the picture to be taken to products with that design.

 

Jeweled Horizon, Abstract Art by Audra Arr; Overcoming obstacles
The Cell, abstract art by Audra Arr
Angry Girl, abstract art by Audra Arr