The Art of Being You!
Hello friends and fellow artists,
As I mentioned in Friday’s edition, I spent the last several months on hiatus from The Intentional Artist, and on a journey of reflection and renewal. During this time, I’ve been considering what it means to be truly authentic in our creative pursuits.
This period of introspection has led me to some meaningful insights about the nature of creativity and the importance of staying true to oneself. It has reinforced my belief in what Wayne Dyer calls the “power of intention” — the conscious choice to create from a place of authenticity and purpose.
The following piece, The Art of Being You, is a distillation of these insights gained through introspection and influenced by the concept of intentional creation. It explores the nature of creativity, the importance of authenticity, and the power of purposeful artistic expression.
It is my way of sharing with you not just what I’ve learned during this reflective period, but what I have always known deep down — that our unique voices, when used with intention, are our most powerful tools as artists and creators.
I hope this resonates with you as much as it has with me.
The Art of Being You
In 1965, in a small New York studio, Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama was grappling with a vision that had haunted her since childhood. Her surroundings would often dissolve into endless repetitive patterns, a hallucination that both terrified and fascinated her. Instead of fighting these visions, Kusama decided to embrace them, transforming her unique perceptions into an immersive exhibition experience. The result was Phalli's Field, her first “Infinity Mirror Room.”
The installation was a breakthrough. Red-spotted phallic tubers made from stuffed fabric filled a room where floors and walls were covered with mirrors, creating an illusion of infinite space. Kusama had found a way to share her unique perception of the world with others, transforming her mental health struggles into a mesmerizing, immersive experience for viewers. This marked the beginning of a series that would become her most famous works, embodying her obsessive approach to art.
Nearly a decade later, in 1974, another artist was pushing the boundaries of art in a radically different way. Marina Abramović stood still in a gallery in Naples, Italy, next to a table laden with 72 objects. These ranged from feathers and flowers to a loaded gun. For six hours, she invited the audience to use these objects on her body in any way they chose.
As the performance, titled Rhythm 0, progressed, the audience grew increasingly aggressive. They cut her clothes, pierced her skin with thorns, and one person even pointed the loaded gun at her head. The performance ended only when other audience members intervened to prevent further harm. This harrowing experience cemented Abramović’s commitment to using her body as a medium, exploring the limits of physical and mental endurance in her art.
Fast forward to 2018, and we witness another artist shaking the foundations of the art world, quite literally. As the gavel fell at Sotheby’s auction house in London on the evening of October 5, 2018, confirming the sale of Banksy’s Girl with Balloon for £1.04 million (US$1.4 million), something unprecedented happened. The artwork began to self-destruct. A shredder built into the frame activated, partially destroying the piece in front of shocked onlookers.
This audacious stunt, which Banksy later revealed had been planned for years, was a pointed critique of the commercialization of art. It embodied his rebellious spirit and his commitment to challenging the established art world. The partially shredded work, renamed Love is in the Bin, became a new piece of art in itself, illustrating Banksy’s ability to turn destruction into creation.
What is it about these three artists that sets them apart in their respective mediums? Each of them took their unique perspectives, unique experiences, and unique challenges and transformed them into groundbreaking art.
Kusama didn’t hide from her hallucinations — she invited the world to experience them.
Abramović didn’t just create art — she became the art, pushing the boundaries of what performance could be.
And Banksy? Well, he turned the very act of selling his art into a statement piece itself.
These artists didn’t just find their voice — they amplified it. They took what made them different, what others might have seen as obstacles or quirks, and turned them into their greatest strengths. They remind us that authenticity in art isn’t about perfection or conformity. It’s about having the courage to be unapologetically yourself, to share your unique vision of the world, even — or especially — when it challenges the status quo.
Their stories serve as a powerful reminder of what can happen when artists embrace their authentic selves. It’s not always comfortable. It’s often challenging. But it’s in this space of genuine self-expression that true innovation and connection occur.
So, how do we foster this kind of authenticity in ourselves? How do we encourage this journey towards finding and amplifying one’s unique voice?
Well, that’s where things get interesting...
When I work with artists, I encourage them to find that one thing that makes them, them.
It’s not about technical skill or mastery of a particular style — though these are important. It’s about uncovering that unique essence, that intangible quality that sets them apart from everyone else.
This search for authenticity isn’t always easy. It’s a journey of self-discovery, often filled with doubt, fear, false starts, and moments of breakthrough. I’ve seen artists struggle with this, wrestling with the temptation to emulate their heroes or chase the latest trends. But I’ve also seen the magic that happens when an artist finally taps into their own true voice.
Much like Kusama, who transforms her hallucinations into mesmerizing installations. Or someone like Abramović, who pushes the boundaries of performance art by turning her own body into a canvas. Or perhaps like Banksy, who uses anonymity and audacity to challenge our perceptions of art and its value.
Whatever the medium, when an artist finds their unique authentic voice, it’s as if a light suddenly switches on in a darkened room, revealing colors and shapes you never knew existed — unexpected, mesmerizing, and impossible to ignore.
But here’s the thing: this unique voice isn’t something I can give them. It’s not something anyone can teach. It’s something each artist has to discover for themselves.
My role — and the role of any mentor or collaborator — is simply to create a safe space where this discovery can happen. To encourage exploration, to celebrate the weird and wonderful, and to remind artists that their greatest strength lies in being unapologetically themselves.
But what does it truly mean to embrace your authentic self in a society that often prizes fitting in, over standing out?
In a world competing for your attention, demanding conformity, and promising success if you just follow the “right” formula, here’s a radical idea: be yourself.
Sounds simple, doesn’t it? But it’s the hardest thing you will ever do.
It’s really, really hard because as artists and creators, we’re always looking for some form of validation or success.
As creators, we’re often tempted to look outward.
What’s trending?
What’s selling?
What does the audience want?
Stop.
Look inward instead.
What moves you?
What story are you burning to tell?
What sound keeps you up at night, demanding to be heard?
That’s where the magic happens.
As Steve Jobs famously said:
“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world,
are the ones who do.”
This isn’t just about being different for the sake of being different. It’s about having the courage to trust your unique vision, even when it seems outlandish or impossible to others. It’s this authentic, unfiltered creativity that has the power to truly innovate and inspire.
You see, when you chase what you think others want, you’re always a step behind. You’re playing someone else’s game, and they’ve got a head start.
But when you create from that authentic place within you? That’s when you’re miles ahead, because you’re the only one who can do what you do, the way you do it.
Your quirks? They’re your superpowers.
Your imperfections? That’s your signature.
Your unique perspective? It’s your golden ticket.
Here’s the thing: while there’s value in learning from and being inspired by others, there’s something truly special about your unique perspective.
The world is eager to see you — the real you. The messy, complex, wonderfully human you.
Creating from this place isn’t always comfortable. It might not lead to instant success. But it leads to something far more valuable: work that matters.
Work that resonates.
Work that lasts.
So, how do you embrace your authentic self? Here are four key principles to guide you:
Listen to your intuition. It’s smarter than you think.
Embrace the weird ideas. They’re often the best ones.
Don’t chase perfection. Chase authenticity.
Compete with yourself. Your only real competition is with yesterday’s version of yourself.
As you create, ask yourself: “Is this truly me, or am I trying to be someone else?”
The answer to that question is the difference between work that blends into the background and work that stops people in their tracks.
When I speak with artists, I often ask them a simple question: Do you want to be the Beatles, U2, Taylor Swift or some other groundbreaking band? Or do you want to be the cover band playing Beatles songs or Taylor Swift hits at the local pub or bar?
It’s not a trick question. Being a cover band isn’t inherently bad — in fact, it can be incredibly rewarding and fun. It’s a great way to hone your skills, connect with audiences, and bring joy to people through familiar tunes. It’s often safer, as it comes with a built-in audience, and offers a predictable response.
By the way, many successful artists started their careers this way, learning the ropes and building confidence.
However, while covering others’ work can be fulfilling, creating original material offers a different kind of artistic freedom and potential for growth. It’s about choosing the path that aligns with your personal artistic goals and vision.
When you create something new, something no one has seen, heard, or read before, you’re tapping into a joy that no imitation can match. You are not just making art — you’re making history.
Look, don’t get me wrong, this is not easy, and it does take time to find that unique essence that sets you apart, but it’s something worth striving for.
Creating from the heart isn’t just about personal satisfaction (though that’s a big part of it). It’s about contributing something unique to the world. It’s about pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Remember Kusama, Abramović, and Banksy. They didn’t just find their voices — they amplified them. They took what made them different and turned those differences into their greatest strengths.
But here’s the thing: finding your authentic voice is a journey, not a destination. It’s okay if you’re still searching, still experimenting, still figuring things out. That’s part of the process, and it’s beautiful in its own right.
Whether you’re reimagining a classic or creating something entirely new, the world is waiting for your unique voice. Your perspective, your experiences, your vision — that is what makes your art uniquely valuable.
So whatever path you choose, take it one step at a time. Embrace the journey of self-discovery. Celebrate your small victories. Learn from your missteps. And above all, be kind to yourself along the way.
Remember, there’s no one “right” way to be an artist. Your authenticity might whisper or it might roar, it might evolve over time or hit you like a bolt of lightning one day. The important thing is to stay open, stay curious, and stay true to yourself as best you can.
In the end, the most powerful thing you can do is simply this: be you.
That’s it for today. I hope you found this content helpful, and if so, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Artfully yours,
Chris
PS… If you’re enjoying The Intentional Artist, will you take a few seconds and forward this edition to a friend? It goes a long way in helping me grow the newsletter (and support more artists).
And if you want to be an even better friend, you can give the gift of The Intentional Artist by clicking the button below. Please let us know if you choose this option so I can send over a bonus as a thank you.
And finally, I’d love your input on how I could make The Intentional Artist even more useful for you! So please leave a comment with:
Ideas you’d like covered in future editions
Your biggest takeaway from this edition
I do read and reply to every single one of them!
Wonderful! Thank you so much for your beautiful, inspiring words!❤️🙏🏻😊