Farley Lewis

Going public with your art can feel like wearing a Speedo to Weight Watchers.

I put my soul in this painting, and now you expect me to dangle it in front of throngs of uninterested, critical people? Emotional vulnerability scares the gesso out of most of us.

The first time I offered painting classes, I was worried that no one would come. Guess what happened? Nobody came. So I offered another class. Still nobody. I felt like word was getting out about my workshops… to stay away. I think it was my fourth try when three people finally showed up. I wanted to kiss them. Now teaching classes and workshops is one of my greatest joys – I’m glad I didn’t give up too soon. I realized that what I feared had come to pass, and it wasn’t fatal.

Going public may be taking your first painting class, posting your art online or even referring to yourself as an artist. For the emerging artist it may be talking to a gallery about showing your work, painting a mural in a public place or doing a live demo. For an experienced artist it may mean advertising in a national publication. Why is going public so important, and so hard?

As baking requires eating, as a song needs someone to hear it, art needs a viewing audience. The cycle is incomplete without someone to appreciate it. Or, unfortunately, to criticize it. Going public means risking rejection or criticism. Whatever our creative exploits, our art – like our dreams – feels like a piece of our very soul. To put it on display can feel so vulnerable.

Like falling in love. There’s no guarantee they will love you in return, or be there tomorrow. But what would life be like without it?

You’ll never know the impact you and your art might have on others until you go public. Sure, it’s a risk, but so is everything else in life worth doing.

Take the risk. The world needs what you carry.