I received a letter from a friend of mine today.  He told me something that made me think interesting thoughts for the rest of the day. It a very simple statement. One that I am sure you’ve heard many times before:

My art is a reflection of me….I just want to be true to my inner self.

I began to think about this, because I know myself very well and I can truthfully agree with both of his statements. Except that I know for a fact that although my art does reflect me–in truth, it’s the superficial happy me that I would rather you see. A truth? Yes, certainly. The Truth? Just a piece of it. The easy to deal with part.

This actually relates to my book project. My book is not reflective of the happy, easy to deal with part of my inner life. Perhaps because of that, it strikes me as more true, more real, more beautiful.

So here is my question for you to think about. What would you be willing to risk to get beyond the superficial? Would you show your true heart, your real and private self,  if in return it might make something wondrous? Could you abandon the easy path where it’s light and carefree, lined with friends and well wishers to struggle alone in the dark places where there is no path and it’s very scary?

To be honest, I am not at all sure that every artist  finds themselves faced with this question… because if you are looking for fame or money you will probably never leave the easy path–we all do what we must to  survive. However, someday you just might be in my position, faced with a piece of artistic expression that holds a deeper personal truth. What will your choice be?