Act Without Anxiety Print On Sale
As part of learning to live with recovery I made this piece of art which is now available as a limited edition print at an affordable price
The last few years of my life have been defined by anxiety. Or more specifically, by learning to cope with anxiety.
I’m hesitant to use the word epidemic, but anxiety is so prevalent today, and not just amongst those who work in the creative arts, but throughout society as a whole. Maybe in time we will come to understand why our generation have seemingly become so afflicted in this way.
In my darkest moments, when I really didn’t have much hope things would get better for me, I read Presence by Amy Cuddy, and her advice stuck a chord with me.
Act Without Anxiety
Start Without Hesitation
Finish Without Regret
Of course, I didn’t feel that way at the time, if anything I felt the opposite. But, I could remember what it felt like, which to me was what creative freedom feels like: being in the flow, expressing yourself fully, and authentically living in the moment.
So, I started to draw this piece of work, trying to get inside each word, by putting the words inside themselves. It helped me start to find a faint glimmer of hope.
When I shared an earlier version on Twitter, someone chided me for trying to suggest anxiety was something you just decide to get over.
Of course, I wasn’t trying to say that. These words are perhaps closer to a prayer than a declaration. I could append “I hope I can” or “I wish I could” to them, by way of apology or explanation, but that feels a little conceited. Instead, like James Brown singing “I Feel Good” or Prince singing “Cream”, these words mean more if they are spoken in full acknowledgment that we don’t always “feel good” and every thing we do isn’t going to be a success.
So, from my little studio to wherever you work, let me offer you “Act Without Anxiety.”
The print is available in A4 size now from the online store for an introductory price of U$20, including shipping anywhere in the world.
Printed on Japanese Kozo Thick White paper from Awagami Press. Each one is hand stamped and numbered. This is a limited run of only 25 prints in this size and at this price. I won’t be printing them again in A4 and the next run will be much larger and priced accordingly.
