Myth is the public dream, and dream is the private myth. -

by Joseph Campbell

Are you an artist, or a craftsman/woman? If you make art or craft in any form, it is important to honor that quality in yourself and in others. You can value creativity as a special gift - given to share with the world. Being an artist is not unusual.  Lots of little people are artists at first.  But then their talent gets judged and critiqued, and pretty soon they no longer see themselves as artists.  Conformity sets in, along with being conventional and bland.

The artistic impulse is so easily stifled in children.  For instance, no young child's drawing or painting should ever get a grade.  There might be suggestions given, or comments made, but grading is too subjective.  Few children are emotionally equipped to hold on to their artistic spirit in the face of "constructive criticism" in the form of a grade.

You are an "artiste" if you hold a little finger in the air as you drink your tea.  Or if you hold an eyebrow aloft as you survey an art exhibition.  An artiste disdains the "other" genre, as passe or unenlightened.  Do not be an artiste.  Your victims will feel like children, graded by a conventional teacher, who doused all creativity in their little victims.  The kids  gave up too soon, sure they were left out when artistic talent was passed round. 

We were all born with a measure of artistic talent, just waiting to express itself in a simple or ornate way.  A plate garnish, a spit-shined shoe, a report written with flair - all are expressions of the artistic spirit of creativity or sublime excellence. 

Let your artist-selves shine.

Tags: arts and crafts education

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