You're the average of the 5 people you spent the most time with THIS WEEK

You're the average of the 5 people you spent the most time with THIS WEEK

Thinking back on this week, does that make you say “Yup” or “Uh-oh”?

I’m so lucky, I know.

This week, my people were bold. Insightful. Creative.

They made beauty with their own hands. They were sincere. Vulnerable. And again—bold.

This week, I interviewed my favorite kind of people: artists from around the world.

It takes much courage to step out of your creative cave, to share not just your art but your thoughts about art. I spoke with artists who had that courage, and that’s exactly why they’re getting closer to the things they dream of.

Want to know what are the 3 things I realized?

Your art really doesn’t have to please everyone.

It’s okay to create work that resonates only with you or with a small handful of like-minded people. It’s okay if some people shrug at your work, or if someone says, “Eh, not my thing.” There’s space for every kind of art in the world. (It may sound flat, but).

The more I immerse myself in art, the more convinced I am of this. I discover work that speaks to me in the most unexpected places. And in those moments, it’s like Jerry Saltz once said: “The antennas are up, buzzing.” A signal is sent out, received, and that’s the magic. I think that’s exactly why we create—to send a signal, and for someone out there to say, oh my, I hear you!

Art is beautiful, but the artist behind it is even more so.

While art takes many forms, there’s always a person behind it—someone with sincerity, dreams, belief, experimentation, and persistence. And maybe that’s really the most beautiful part of art. When someone creates something on their own terms, by their own internal standard, even in complete solitude, without admirers. That’s wonderful. That’s real.

We all are so amazingly unique and interesting

At first, I was worried—should I be coming up with all fresh, 100% unique questions for each person?

The answer? You can ask different artists the same questions, and they’ll answer in completely different ways. That fascinated me. The same question reveals just how wonderfully different we all are, even within the so-called “artist type” (which, let’s be real, is as mythical as a well-organized art studio). Every answer is right. Every perspective is its own world.

♡

This week, my calendar was packed with notes: “Email X,” “Send Y a link,” “Follow up with Z on Instagram.” This week has been full of these conversations, and now, as Friday rolls in, I’m already preparing for next week’s newsletter.

“I asked God for flowers, and he gave me rain.” That quote crossed my path today.

And another: “Always stick to what makes you weird, odd, strange, different. That’s your source of power.” (Robert Greene)

I’d say:

“Always stick to what makes you weird, odd, strange, different. That’s your source of flow.” ♡♡♡

Now, let’s welcome a well-deserved weekend—to refuel, to let ideas settle, and to spread our wings again next week :)

Ah, and before I forget, of course! Read the interviews I’m talking about with the bold and inspiring artists, on sofionart.com: Maartje, Elaine and Lucía. Read and share with the world.

xx Helen from Sofi on Art

(P.S. Let me know what you think, even if it is just answering the question with “yup” or “nope”: [email protected])