Dear Artists:3/23
From the journal March 2023:
Dear Artists,
I want to take a moment to reach out to you, to speak directly to your heart, your spirit, and your creative soul. Life can sometimes feel like a heavy weight pressing down on us, and let’s not kid ourselves—there are moments when it feels like the darkness is closing in. Depression can be an insidious companion, lurking in the shadows, whispering doubts and fears into our ears. But I want you to remember something vital, something that can bring light into those shadowy corners: the opposite of depression is not joy—it's expression.
When we talk about expression, we’re not just discussing the act of creating art in the traditional sense. We’re talking about the full spectrum of human experience—the messy, beautiful, chaotic fabric of life that we all share. Art is not merely about making something pretty or polished; it’s about pouring our truths onto the page, the canvas, the stage. It’s about giving voice to the inexpressible, channeling our emotions into tangible forms that resonate with others, or perhaps just with ourselves.
So, what do we do when the weight of depression feels like it’s suffocating our creativity? We create, create, create. Yes, my dear artists, we harness that energy—no matter how dark or heavy it may feel—and we transform it into something meaningful. We take our pain, our confusion, our struggles, and we turn them into art. Because here’s the thing: in that act of creation, we find the antidote to our suffering. We find the soul’s medicine.
Creating in the face of depression is not about waiting for the muse to strike or for the perfect moment of inspiration. It's about showing up for ourselves, even when it feels like every fiber of our being is telling us to retreat. It’s about picking up the brush, the pen, the instrument, or whatever medium speaks to you, and allowing it to flow through you. It’s about giving yourself permission to be vulnerable, to be raw, and to be honest in your expression.
This is where the magic happens. When we create, we enter a sacred space—a sanctuary where our feelings can roam free. We allow ourselves to explore the depths of our emotions without judgment, without constraint. We can scream through our art, cry through our words, or dance through our movement. And in doing so, we find that we are not alone in our struggles. We connect with the shared human experience, reminding ourselves and others that it’s okay to feel deeply, to grapple with the complexities of life.
Art has this incredible power to heal, to transform, and to uplift. It becomes a bridge between our internal world and the external one, a way to communicate what often cannot be said. When we express ourselves, we reclaim our voices and our narratives. We remind ourselves that we have agency over our emotions, that we can shape our experiences into something beautiful, even when the circumstances feel overwhelming.
So, dear artists, I urge you to create. Create in the midst of chaos. Create in the face of uncertainty. Create when joy feels far away and when the shadows loom large. Let your expression be not just a reaction to the world around you but a proactive stance for your own well-being. It is your birthright to express yourself, to channel your thoughts and feelings into something that resonates with your being.
And remember, you are not alone in this journey. We are all in this together, navigating the highs and lows of life, searching for meaning and connection. Your art matters. Your expression matters. You have the power to turn your struggles into something profound and transformative, not just for yourself but for others who may be walking similar paths.
So go forth, my dear artists. Create fiercely and unapologetically. Let your work be a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, a celebration of the complexities of life. For in that act of creation, you may just find the healing you seek, the clarity you crave, and the joy that comes from being fully, authentically you.
With love and encouragement,
Sarah
