The Members’ Art Exhibition at the Cornwall Square is coming up in April; this show replaces the spring show that, in previous years, was held at the Cornwall Library. The Association is very grateful to the staff at the Library for all its support each spring but, by changing venue, Focus Art hopes to draw a new audience as well as its faithful patrons.

Artists are very demanding of themselves. They always want to enter their art but can have moments of hesitation. For many reasons they go through all the excuses for putting off participation. Not everyone reacts this way, but if you find yourself in this quagmire, let me share with you the advice of a fellow artist.

Robert Genn speaks of FEAR in The Painter’s Keys, a bi-weekly on-line newsletter. He offers several ways to understand and overcome certain self-destructive thoughts. In this column, I have adapted his text to address some of the mental spins that might be a problem:

We procrastinate for FEAR of not meeting one’s own expectations. However a 1992 study showed that while 80% of college students procrastinate, they did so mostly when they perceived the task as a struggle, not when they felt they lacked the skill.

-Face your FEAR and approach your art as a pleasure, with less pressure and more fun. Don’t think about the upcoming show, play and something good will happen.

We FEAR unpleasantness: I once had a gallery in Cornwall refuse my work. For a while afterwards, I had trouble showing my art publically.

-Growth is costly, conflict is a part of life and rejection is necessary for the advancement of our stories. Avoiding confrontation, negotiations, beginnings and endings postpones the truest path.

Our FEAR makes us distrustful and cynical with our idea that our work is not that good and people just say so to be nice.

-Return to your private, wonderfully fuelled sanctuary for experiment and play; do your art once again for yourself and something great will happen.

Finally we put others’ ideas and art on a pedestal, focusing on their success and expecting it to rub off on us. This robs us of our uniqueness and personal development. What to do?

Collaborate and share, but recognize the value of your own offerings. Don’t be afraid. Don’t compromise your style. Stay true to your art.

Now is the time to pick up your paintbrushes or camera. Eventually, idea-by-idea, you’ll build your ability to think and do differently, and overcome fear. Your best art is yet to come. Share it.

Other News:

The City of Cornwall is continuing a Feasibility Study for a new Arts and Culture Centre. Visit Feasibility Study Cornwall and view the study and voice your opinion by email to Jamie Fawthrop. www.cornwall.ca/en/…/Arts-and-Culture-Feasibility-Study.asp

Massena Art Show at the community Library on Glenn Street in Massena is hosting its Spring Exhibition from May 17 at 6:30 (Opening Ceremony) until Friday June 3.

Google: Massena Artists’ association or email cboot07@gmail.com to reach Peggy Mooers, President.

Focus Art Monthly Members’ Meeting: There will be no meeting on April 6 considering the Vernissage for the Exhibition at the Square is on April 8.

We hope to see you there.

PS: “He has not learned the lesson of life who does not every day surmount a fear.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)