Susan Smith

Looking for my place in the world, to create my art, I never realized how much archetypes reflected on it. I made quilts, I belonged to quilt guilds, but traditional quilts weren’t my joy. I started making fiber art in 2003, I found my tribe in fiber art in 2015 and started calling myself an Artist. I worked through the self-doubts. Not listening to the shadow side of the Judge – saying “you’re not good enough”. The criticism of others who didn’t understand me – my Committee. The Saboteur is always nibbling on my heels.The Rebel kept telling me I could accomplish anything I wanted to, if I set my mind to it. The Dilettante wanted to learn every method of making art that I possibly could – The Student appreciated the teachers who share their knowledge.

Standing behind construction blockades, I was always looking for my tribe. Then my Magical Child with her magic wand broke through the blockades to find my tribe of Art Sisters who guided me. Their wisdom, kindness, knowledge, and encouragement guided me to create my art the way I see it in my mind and feel it in my heart.

I hear the Artist whispering in my ear, saying you did it – we like what you created. My Nature Child hears the music and rhythm of the outdoors, the birds in the trees, singing their sweet songs, a breeze that brings the sweet smell of flowers – these are the things that feed my soul. The Seeker, the Judge and the Rebel have made me see that I don’t need approval for what I create. If my heart and soul are happy with my vision of ART that is what matters. Staying true to myself, to take joy in being alive each day, relishing the kindness and art of others, the beauty of the world around me, transforming what I see into art that can be shared with others. This is how my archetypes guide me when I doubt myself.

Breaking the Barrier 2021 14” x 18” Mixed media textile NFS quiltrgrandma@yahoo.com