How to Let Go
How to Let Go?
Are we meant to keep every work of art we have ever done? Long-time artists may struggle with when to let go of works they have created in the past. How long do we keep our work? Is it worth it to pay a lot of money in storage fees or better to invest the money in new classes and equipment? For artists who create physical objects of art especially, sorting through old works of art ends up being an overwhelming project.
Maintaining the energy of creation reframes the struggle! We want to make new work, celebrate the day, and be in the artist we are today. Do we want to be bogged down by everything we have ever done? Imagine if you moved house but refused to throw away the furniture that didn’t fit in your new space. Instead, you bought new furniture and then own two sets. What would be the point of that? Clearly, furniture is more utilitarian but managing our artwork has elements of utility. We have a limited amount of storage space. A limited amount of energy to manage the works. By letting go of work that was never that strong, paring down to the bare minimum, we can continue to keep the energy of creating alive.
Though there are many pieces to this decision and much rests on your place as an artist, your genre, and your stage of life, the key lies in a relationship with your creative energy. Ask yourself: what passion is infused in your artwork today? Have you seen enough of a shift in your style that some of your old work no longer represents you or your current passion?
I can just hear people saying now, “Look from the other side! This work may end up being a perfect fit for a show in the future. Or: how can I show the progression of my work if I do not hold onto my past? Or even: my favorite niece may want this piece when I die.”
Return to the process of releasing work that lacks the strength your other work has. Anything that would not be the first choice for its style or representation most likely won’t go into a future show or be a favorite choice for a relative. Focus on the project like you would focus on editing for a show: strong pieces that speak strongly when you look at them.
If you start practicing releasing older works now, it can become a habit, meaning you are less likely to face overwhelm and overload with too much to sort through later on. We’ve all heard stories of people who after parents have died, either end up with half of their parent’s belongings in their garage, or sell them off in one fell swoop, the task too big and overwhelming. Having fewer to choose from can mean treasures that last for lifetimes.
You might also use a Marie Kondo approach when looking at older work. You may find yourself thinking: this is no longer how I paint, this style seems at odds with the depth of my work today, or simply, my work is much better now.
Lifelines that stretch into every bit of our past can seem like they are tying us to all the parts of our selves, helping us feel like a united whole, but the energy that lies within strong and impassioned work is alive! You are alive today and creating new work. Let yourself see from within that framework to be able to bid goodbye to some work that is only bogging you down.