Avery: Do not think, feel. That is how we create authentic art. When I write, when I illustrate, I often find myself asking the question; why does this art need to exist? I feel a need to validate the existence of my art. My thinking leads to procrastination, which leads to stagnation. Over thinking ruins the creative process, and in the age of social media, where everyone seeks instant gratification and a need to be recognized, this over thinking brings illness to our creative souls.

“Don’t think. FEEL. It’s like a finger pointing at the moon. Do not concentrate on the finger, or you will miss all of the heavenly glory.”

― Bruce Lee

We must separate our minds from the creative process, we must make play with the tools we are given to create, and we must let our minds wander into worlds that we wish to play within. We must not control this creative landscape, but embrace it like a dream, let the dream be your guide, and your heart the paintbrush.

There is no such thing as originality but there is authenticity, and this is what artists should seek. Because authentic art is an expression of the real you.

Your art does not need to have a message, it does not need to be profound, it does not need to change the world, it can simply be you pointing your finger towards the moon and telling the world, of how beautiful it is.