Comments on: Why Are We So Hard On Ourselves? One Thing That May Help

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Sun, 20 Aug 2023 04:40:40 +0000

In reply to Katherine Buckius. Welcome Katherine! And thank you for taking the time to comment. I appreciate the book recommendation. I've actually been recommended this book before and had it out of our library but ack! I haven't ever made the time to read it. So now, I will!! And yes to the importance of sketching!! They can be useful as well as bring back memories of a time and place vividly. I look forward to seeing you turn up on the comments in the future

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Sun, 20 Aug 2023 04:35:32 +0000

In reply to Christine.

Thanks so much Christine for your kindness and reaffirming that I did make the right decision, to let go of those pastel painting hopes. Looking back, the memories created on that canal trip with my dear man are so precious. And…I’m also glad I could squeak in a few sketches!

It’s marvellous to hear that an artist like yourself experiences those voices too. Gosh we are cruel to ourselves. Let’s all work to change that!!

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Sun, 20 Aug 2023 04:32:26 +0000

In reply to Suzy Charto.

Ohhh Suzy, thank you for sharing this sad story with us. I think we can all relate, relate to those missed opportunities due to our own negative self-talk, to those feelings of being “not enough.” I do hope that now, knowing this, you say, Damn it, I’m good enough so let’s go!

We only have this life (as far as we know) so let’s not waste time with comparisons and what the heck others think! Let’s ride the wind and express our voice!! Yeah!!

And Suzy, thank you for being brave and sharing this story with us.

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Sun, 20 Aug 2023 04:28:30 +0000

In reply to Sheila Anderson.

I’m glad it came at a good time Sheila.
And I sure hear you – “what’s the use?’ can easily become a common refrain. Yet…there is only one of us, with our voice. We do a disservice to others when we retreat from our art practice. Day in and day out, let’s reveal us and our voice and our art to the world!!
And thank you.

By: Christine

Christine — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 18:59:19 +0000

Hi Gail, Your trip sounds wonderful!
I think we all talk smack to ourselves, not only when we paint but all of the aspects of an art career. ( Why are you so lazy and hit or miss about promoting yourself? , for example ) I love the idea of repeating the criticism.
And, your sketches are just so special. I think that if you did paint as much as you had initially planned, you may have missed some of the varied delights of your journey. Setting up and painting means a chunk of about 2 hours being stationary, and it appears that you were on the move, experiencing a whole buffet, rather than a big entree!
Thank you for sharing all that you do, Christine

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 18:51:42 +0000

In reply to Susan.

Thanks Susan. I hear you about overthinking everything – so easy to do!
And yes to that book – definitely worth reading!

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 21:50:56 +0000

In reply to Michele. Many thanks Michele! And yes, I quite like my sketches My big negativity was about not getting any pastel plein air work done...and me needing to work at letting go of that expectation.

By: Suzy Charto

Suzy Charto — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 17:21:50 +0000

Thirty years ago (I am old) I had an opportunity to take a course with an amazing artist who lived in Montreal. I didn’t do it because I thought I wasn’t good enough. I mention it because I talked to a cousin yesterday about missed wishes. She wanted to be a nurse but thought she wasn’t smart enough. I look back through my life and regret opportunities that I didn’t take because – fill in the blanks too old, not talented etc. The negative voices in my head exactly what you are saying. I admire people with confidence.

The artist moved away. I never took his course.

By: Katherine Buckius

Katherine Buckius — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 13:48:32 +0000

Hi Gail. I’m brand new to reading your blog. I really enjoyed this one. It’s a topic I think we all can relate to. A book I find really speaks to this is called The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer. I find it’s a good one to go back to from time to time. Your sketches were fun to look at, and a good reminder that the sketching is the scaffolding for our pieces, and legitimate creations in and of themselves. I look forward to reading your blogs in the future

By: Michele

Michele — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 01:24:03 +0000

Gail I think the line work in your sketches are wonderful. The inner critic is always in my head but I think when you look back at your sketches you will say you managed to overcome your negative thoughts without knowing.