Day Twenty one – Quilted
October 21, 2010 § 6 Comments
Art Apple - Day Twenty one
I’m loving creating my Art Apples! I’ve had some wonderful comments and feedback and I want to thank you all for the amazing support – it keeps me going and gives me strength. One day at a time – an art apple a day!
I’m committed to my endeavor and to helping bring awareness to Ankylosing Spondylitis.
I have to tell you all that I had something really wonderful happen today. As an artist (I have a BFA and I still have trouble calling myself that) we all look for confirmation, validation and praise. It is so difficult to open yourself up to the world and say “I created this”. So… acceptance is like air – we can’t live without it. I have spent too many years afraid that my work would be anything but loved because I couldn’t accept anything else. The need for this can become absolutely paralyzing in the creative process so when a stranger takes the time to validate your work it is more than the air we need, it’s like air that contains pure love. It feels different – it is sustenance in a way that makes every cell in your body take notice. I had a stranger approve of what I do and that stranger is an amazing accomplished artist – it made me weep (seriously I started bawling) to read the words of his note, especially because he lives with AS too so I know he understands where I’ve been.
Thank you Tom for your kind words.
Until tomorrow.
Jenna
jenna@artappleaday.com
The Feeding Edge 
Incredible work. I can’t imagine being creative enough to come up with something so unique each day. I’m looking forward to my “apple a day”!
Diann – thank you so much! Spondylitis.org is a fantastic organization doing great work for people like me and our families and supporters. You were there for me in the very worst of my AS days and I truly appreciate what you do! So glad to see you and Melissa are signed up via email. I have plans to talk about my AS journey on my blog too… I’ll keep you posted
– Jenna
WOW! What a brilliant Idea!
You’re going on my blogroll for sheer Brilliance!
Good for the soul!
Keep up the great work…will link from time to time!
Thank you Marlene – Glad you found me! Saw your tweet as well – I really appreciate the kind words and I look forward to reading your blog and linking back!
Jenna
Jenna,
I completely understand your comment about art-making, acceptance, validation. I, too, have struggled with this for a long time. I have this book that I have on my nightstand to read “Art & Fear: Observations On the Perils (and Rewards) of Art-making”. Another artist recommended it to me, saying that it changed her life and her “relationship” with her art-making.
But I’ve already been so inspired by you and your daily creations. It such a good exercise that I am considering doing my own daily “exercise”.
Thank you so much for the work you are doing to raise awareness about AS, but also for inspiring me.
Melissa
Melissa,
I will definitely look for the book you recommend – creating can feel very perilous. I start every piece thinking it’s going to be awful – a sad commentary – but I still somehow have a belief that it will all work out if I just keep going and hang in there. I think my struggles with being an artist greatly parallel my struggles with AS. I hope that I can inspire people for both reasons.
The end result is worth the struggle – we’re who we are because of where we’ve been!
Your support means the world to me – thank you!
Jenna