The Artist's Way

we can handle intellectually far outstrips what we can
handle emotionally. We must be alert to flag and mourn our
losses.
The disappointing reception of a good piece of work, the
inability to move across into a different medium or type of
role due to other people’s expectations of us are artistic
losses that must be mourned. It does no good to say, “Oh, it
happens to everybody” or “Who was I kidding anyway?”
The unmourned disappointment becomes the barrier that
separates us from future dreams. Not being cast in the role
that’s “yours,” not being asked to join the company, having
the show canceled or the play unreviewed—these are all
losses.
Perhaps the most damaging form of artistic loss has to do
with criticism. The artist within, like the child within, is
seldom hurt by truth. I will say again that much true
criticism liberates the artist it is aimed at. We are childlike,
not childish. Ah-hah! is often the accompanying inner sound
when a well-placed, accurate critical arrow makes its mark.
The artist thinks, “Yes! I can see that! That’s right! I can
change that!”
The criticism that damages an artist is the criticism—well
intentioned or ill—that contains no saving kernel of truth yet
has a certain damning plausibility or an unassailable blanket
judgment that cannot be rationally refuted.
Teachers, editors, mentors are often authority figures or
parent figures for a young artist. There is a sacred trust
inherent in the bond between teacher and student. This trust,