“An Artist,” said Ian Cron, “who has not done their ‘work' will be doomed to be sentimental.”
Sentimental.
2. (of a work of literature, music, or art) Dealing with feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia in an exaggerated and self-indulgent way.
We all can think of examples of it. I think of paintings of quaint cottages beside picturesque streams with the warm glow of a fire inside by an artist who shall not be named.
Or big pictures of Jesus (he's white, of course) that look like he just got back from the hairdresser.
Or maybe even the sculptures of Jeff Koons.
There is likely more sentimental art than “true” art, and I think Ian is saying that even an artist aiming to create something unique and honest can fall into sentimentality. The measure of sentimentality in art is based not on the artist's intention, but on the measure to which they have done their work.
So What Is The Work?
I have this journal. Every once in a while, when I get offended or feel rejected or get the emotional crap kicked out of me, I have to take out this journal. I call it my grief journal.
Actually, for me, the journal is not physical—it is long walks in the dark at night when I can't sleep because I'm replaying the scene obsessively—but I started with a real journal.
The journal comes in especially handy when those scenes from childhood pop up unexpectedly, those wounds I have successfully forgotten.
Almost.
Your work is to seize that painful energy of your wounds, that healing energy memorialized in the scar…
And then get over it.
Your scars, while beautiful, are not unique. We all have them. The goal of the work is to get to a place where you are neither afraid of nor enthralled with them.
The goal is to get to a place where you are able to enter into the wounds of others, and you can't do that if you're still living in your own.
PRACTICE
Go find a piece of paper, a notebook, or a journal. Title it GRIEF.
And then close your eyes for a moment. Think about a moment when someone wounded you, a friend, perhaps, or a family member.
No time limit, just write. Don't censor yourself, and don't hold back in telling your story. No one will read this, ever.
When you're finished, hide it in a place no one will find it. Or burn it (and may peace be with you today).
Wow Joe! Are you some kind of cyber-mind reader? This morning I have been taken by surprise by some kind of “ninja” melancholy that sneaked up from out of nowhere. I was minding my own business, reading a few blogs and checking emails and just got this sense of self-blah that led me into my usual self-pity party. You know the party where all the attenders show up just to tell you they don’t really want to be there. Anyway, I loved your line:
The goal is to get to a place where you are able to enter into the wounds of others, and you can’t do that if you’re still living in your own.
I’m gonna spend time today on this great assignment. Thanks for challenging us!
I hate those days! Part of being a creative, I think, is living with days like that (let’s be honest, part of being a human is living with days like that). The key is recognizing when you’re there and letting it bring you to the point of self-reflection rather than self-mutilation. Thank you, tdub, for being so open with us.
Thanks Joe for your encouragement. I spent the afternoon journaling and then quickly destroyed the evidence. It wouldn’t have been pretty if anyone had read it 🙂 btw, I noticed I’m considered “unregistered” How does one register? I’m loving this website!
I’m so glad! Click the little DISQUS button on the right above the comment box. You just need to create a DISQUS account.
Wow Joe! Are you some kind of cyber-mind reader? This morning I have been taken by surprise by some kind of “ninja” melancholy that sneaked up from out of nowhere. I was minding my own business, reading a few blogs and checking emails and just got this sense of self-blah that led me into my usual self-pity party. You know the party where all the attenders show up just to tell you they don’t really want to be there. Anyway, I loved your line:
The goal is to get to a place where you are able to enter into the wounds of others, and you can’t do that if you’re still living in your own.
I’m gonna spend time today on this great assignment. Thanks for challenging us!
I hate those days! Part of being a creative, I think, is living with days like that (let’s be honest, part of being a human is living with days like that). The key is recognizing when you’re there and letting it bring you to the point of self-reflection rather than self-mutilation. Thank you, tdub, for being so open with us.
Thanks Joe for your encouragement. I spent the afternoon journaling and then quickly destroyed the evidence. It wouldn’t have been pretty if anyone had read it 🙂 btw, I noticed I’m considered “unregistered” How does one register? I’m loving this website!
I’m so glad! Click the little DISQUS button on the right above the comment box. You just need to create a DISQUS account.
If I do this exercise, I’ll have to say all the words I vowed not to ever say to be able to let it ALL out ._. 😛 thanks though
If I do this exercise, I’ll have to say all the words I vowed not to ever say to be able to let it ALL out ._. 😛 thanks though
I have a diary like that. I keep it next to my bed. Some pages are tear stained and others covered with gigantic swear words. It helps me feel better.
I have a diary like that. I keep it next to my bed. Some pages are tear stained and others covered with gigantic swear words. It helps me feel better.
If I do this exercise, I’ll have to say all the words I vowed not to ever say to be able to let it ALL out .