I’m deeply fascinated by individuals in creative fields, particularly female artists who boldly express themselves through their artwork. How do they muster such strength and fearlessness in the face of potential judgment? In the past, I grappled with the weight of others' opinions, constantly worrying about how to conform to societal expectations to gain acceptance—whether in school, at work, among family members, or within professional circles. The mere anticipation of criticism left me anxious and hesitant.
These mental patterns, perhaps cultivated during my childhood, proved challenging to break. However, in recent years, I've realized that the world can be kind and accommodating, even when I assert my desires and act authentically. This revelation has been revolutionary, reshaping my perception and approach to life.
Gradually, I've prioritized self-expression over conforming to societal norms. Rather than striving to meet external expectations of correctness, I've begun focusing on my feelings, thoughts, and desires. Though I often find myself uncertain, I've learned to gauge whether a decision aligns with my happiness before committing to it.
Embracing this ethos of "putting myself first" is a journey I'm committed to, aspiring for it to become my default mode. Here's a collection of quotes by female artists that not only inspire but also affirm the importance of embracing authenticity:
"I know now that most people are so closely concerned with themselves that they are not aware of their own individuality. I can see myself, and it has helped me to say what I want to say in paint." — Georgia O’Keeffe, Painter
"I read the art reviews of my work. Some critics understand my art correctly, while some don't. I simply ignore the reviews written by the latter." — Yayoi Kusama, Visual Artist
"I prefer to keep things real and honest in my art." — Helen Frankenthaler, Abstract Expressionist Painter
"To progress in life, you must give up the things you do not like. Give up doing the things that you do not like to do. You must find the things that you do like. The things that are acceptable to your mind." — Agnes Martin, Abstract Painter
"People have so much pain inside them that they're not even aware of." — Marina Abramović, Performance Artist
"I’m fascinated by the concept of identity." — Cindy Sherman, Photographer
"It is important to express oneself...provided the feelings are real and are taken from your own experience." — Berthe Morisot, Impressionist Painter
"As the artist picks his way along, rejecting and accepting as he goes, certain patterns of enquiry emerge." — Bridget Riley, Op Art Painter
"If you're sufficiently tenacious and interested, you can accomplish what you want to accomplish in this world." — Alice Neel, Portrait Painter
"You deserve the best, the very best, because you are one of the few people in this lousy world who are honest to themselves, and that is the only thing that really counts." — Frida Kahlo, Painter
"At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can." — Frida Kahlo, Painter
"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them." — Maya Angelou, Writer and Activist
"I am mine before I am anyone else's." — Nayyirah Waheed, Poet
"We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already." — J.K. Rowling, Writer
"I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself." — Emma Stone, Actress
By the way, before writing this post, I looked for inspiration in this book called 'The Art Book,' where you can find artwork by hundreds of the most famous artists. However, it was a little disappointing to discover that only a handful of female artists and their work are included.
The world needs more female and minority artists!
Don’t you think so? :D
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