Once we create our work as a finished piece, much like detachment from a child, we must walk away and allow the work to stand alone on its own merits. All of our sweat, our investment, our effort, our aspirations have gone into this piece and now is the moment of truth and ideally, the moment of glory. Our creation will take on a life of its own.
Before we release our work, it can be helpful to spend quality time together. We may approach our work anew, with innocent curiosity, as though we are meeting a new acquaintance.
“Tell me about yourself. Where do you come from? What were your early influences? What do you hope to achieve? Where do you plan to go? Why are you here right now? Is there anything you would like me to know? How can I be of service to you?”
These are curious questions we may ask a new friend and they are an excellent way to conduct an “exit interview” with our art before we release it into the world. The answers we collect can be instructive to us, inspiring last-minute changes or tweaks to better our product. Sometimes, a serious overhaul is called for which transforms our work into the masterpiece it longs to be. Music, especially recorded music, can be unforgiving. When our voices are off-key, they’re off-key. The objective truth is laid bare. If the timing is off, or the balance is wonky, it’s apparent.
Listening to ourselves and facing the big questions is a critical step to take at the culmination of an artistic journey.
The world beyond our studio will have supportive voices, but also critical voices. Taking the time to commune with our art before we release it, gives us an opportunity to gain confidence in our artistic choices so that if we do face opposition or doubt from the outside, we have a good sense of the artistic merit of our piece. As artists, we need to be our own best friends. That means being completely honest with ourselves about the weak spots in our work and once we’ve addressed those issues, becoming our very own great advocate and ally.
It can be helpful to share your work with colleagues you trust, past teachers or supportive friends to get some feedback before you send it into the world. A fresh set of ears may hear something you completely missed.
At the end of the day, your work is a part of you, a reflection of you, and yet if done well, will become its own entity, full of glory.
May you have pleasure from each stage of your work -from start to finish!
