{"id":2332,"date":"2020-07-18T03:16:23","date_gmt":"2020-07-18T03:16:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dougburgett.net\/blog\/?p=2332"},"modified":"2020-07-18T03:16:26","modified_gmt":"2020-07-18T03:16:26","slug":"kill-your-inner-critic-and-make-wonderful-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dougburgett.net\/blog\/kill-your-inner-critic-and-make-wonderful-art\/","title":{"rendered":"Kill Your Inner Critic and Make Wonderful Art"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cIf you hear a voice within you say, \u2018You cannot paint,\u2019 then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced\u201d<\/p>Vincent Van Gogh<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Your inner critic is nasty. It cares nothing for your feelings, passions, goals, or well-being. It has one purpose only and that is to make you question everything, especially your value. The longer you either deny its existence or fail to kill it, the longer you go without seeing your full potential as an artist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there\u2019s a trick. The most efficient way to kill your inner critic is to follow its lead, just as Vincent Van Gogh suggests. Paint when your inner critic is saying, \u201cYou cannot paint.\u201d You don\u2019t have to muster the strength of heroes to silence that nagging jerk inside you. You simply have to take action. Paint. Write. Draw. Sculpt. Sing. Play. Create without concern. Your inner critic will hate this productivity and soon be under your full control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Action, Not Inspiration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many people wait to get inspired before creating art. This is bad. Inspiration comes and goes so if we only make art when we\u2019re inspired, we unfortunately won\u2019t make much art. Some might argue that the goal is quality not quantity, and inspiration is what produces masterpieces. That\u2019s exactly what your inner critic wants you to think. Kill that thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s nothing your inner critic hates more than being ignored. Forget about inspiration. It will continue to come and go. There will be periods where things are magical and you\u2019re in the zone, but there will certainly be periods of struggle as well. During times of struggle it is most important to carry on. Keep making art. Don\u2019t give your inner critic a chance to weigh in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andy Warhol provided sound advice for all artists when he said, \u201cDon\u2019t think about making art. Just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it\u2019s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.\u201d That sounds like someone skilled at ignoring their inner critic. \u201cJust get it done.\u201d Take action and make art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All Art is Wonderful Art<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another thing your inner critic will do is attempt to convince you that your art is not good enough. When I suggest killing your inner critic and making wonderful art, I want to be very clear that all art is wonderful art. As Charles Cooley said, \u201cAn artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one.\u201d The only art that is not wonderful is the art that isn\u2019t made. To create art is to create wonderful art. If there is a part of you that disagrees with this, take note. That is your inner critic speaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I guarantee your inner critic will get louder and louder the more you appreciate all art. The more you say, \u201cThat\u2019s wonderful art! That\u2019s wonderful art! That\u2019s wonderful art!,\u201d the more you\u2019ll be asked, \u201cAre you sure?\u201d Your inner critic will get very sneaky and bastardly. It doesn\u2019t want you to create anything, let alone something that you think is wonderful. So, make wonderful art and let your inner critic scream. Remember, it\u2019s a helpful guide in telling you the opposite of what you should do. The louder it speaks, the more clear your direction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid Being Comfortable<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your inner critic works hard to keep you right where you are. It doesn\u2019t like you experimenting or traveling into new territory. In fact, when you step outside of your comfort zone your inner critic is awoken. That terrible voice will immediately let you know you are not where you\u2019re supposed to be. But you are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Art is all about experimentation. It\u2019s knowing that you cannot fail in whatever you\u2019re doing, just as long as you are doing. If you constantly challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone and learn to appreciate it by embracing a growth mindset, your inner critic will be silenced. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. It\u2019s not easy, I know, but it will certainly work in your favor to kill your inner critic.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

That nasty voice inside of you may think it\u2019s harming your creativity, but it\u2019s actually telling you what to do. 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