The What If Project Art Studio
Friends.
I’m kicking something new into the universe today, I call it the “What If Project ART STUDIO”.
Yes:
ART.
STUDIO.
What is it? Well, before I tell you some details let me share with you what ROB BELL had to say about it …
When I had Rob on the podcast last month we talked a little bit about art and I was sharing with him the story of how I got back into art after pushing it aside for 25+ years because someone important in my life (who was an actual, real-life artist) told me that my art wasn’t “good enough”.
Phew.
Those are CRITICAL words, aren’t they? When you make something, when you bear your soul on paper or music or a book or whatever, when you pour your all into something, when you decide to pursue the thing that brings you joy … only to have someone you look up to tell you it’s “not good enough” - brutal.
Anyways.
Rob has this thing he does called the “Rob Bell Art Show” where he reveals a new piece of art every week or so and posts it on his website - some are for sale, others are just there for people to look at … and that gave me an idea to do something similar.
I’ve been sharing some pieces of art here, on Substack.
On Facebook.
On Instagram.
And although I’ll keep doing that, I created the “What If Project Art Studio” as a place where some of my favorite creations can live.
Why?
For one thing, creating art makes me happy; and I hope that my joy comes through the screen, and I hope that inspires you. This is an extension of the What If Project, after all …
The What If Project wonders, “what if there are ways of thinking about God and faith that are different than what our traditions have handed us?”
What If Project Media Help wonders, “what if there is a way to get help with social media and content creation that can make your life way easier AND spotlight your work without breaking the bank?”
AND.
The What If Project Art Studio wonders, “what if it’s possible to create just for the sake of creating, just for the sake of creating something that brings a smile to your face and some joy to your heart? What if you could create with WILD ABANDONMENT without worrying about how many likes your creation got or how many shares? What if you could create art or music or sketches or whatever it is that you create just because the very act of creating that thing makes you happy … regardless of what anyone else has to say about it?”
This is what ART does for me - some people might think my art isn’t that good, but I don’t really care. There’s something magical that happens in my bones when bright colors hit the page, my favorite cartoons are thrown into the mix, and worlds are created with my pencils, markers, paints, etc.
I don’t do it to make money.
I don’t do it to get likes.
I don’t do it to get shares.
I don’t do it to make the social media algorithm work for me.
I don’t even share everything I make.
… I just do it for the simple reason that it makes me happy.
AND.
If someone likes it?
If someone wants to buy something?
That’s just icing on the cake because (regardless) the joy is already there.
That said, the ART STUDIO is also a place where you can PURCHASE a piece that you like, take a peek into my IDEA BOOK, and even REQUEST a custom piece based upon something that you see and/or an idea that you have in mind.
Because.
Believe it or not.
(I was shocked!)
Within a week of sharing some images on social media, I had FOUR people reach out to me and ask about purchasing a piece, creating custom pieces, etc.
CRAZY!
And the price?
You’ll notice that it’s a “name your price” kind of thing. There might be a piece I put up with a price tag on it (bigger canvases that took more time/paint/etc), but the majority of the pieces on there are “name your price” - as long as your offer covers shipping, it’s yours!
And so there you have it - the “What If Project Art Studio” is live. I will add paintings/pictures every week or so and continue to share them out on social media and share a few here and there with Substack/Patreon supporters that don’t make it to the website/social media.
How long will I do this for? Who knows, but for however long it’s a thing - my hope and prayer is that this branch of the What If Project acts as yet another lifeboat to pick people up out of the waters of their own self-doubt and self-criticism, out of the sea of negative thoughts and negative energies that come from people in your life who told you that your art or music or whatever wasn’t “good enough”.
Who cares if someone thinks it’s not good enough - good enough isn’t the goal, is it? Joy is. Does it bring you joy? Does it put a smile on your face? Does it make you tingle inside? What if that’s the point? What if that’s the point of our entire existence, to do things that bring a smile to US?
Because.
Really.
When you create from your own place of passion and the thing you create brings YOU joy - that’s magnetic, that’s catching, that’s contagious, that’s something that will draw people in and give them a sense of joy as well.
When I emailed Rob Bell the webpage for the Art Studio I thanked him for “creating pathways in the wilderness for people like me” - his Art Show gave me the idea and the courage to create my Art Studio and I hope that my Art Studio gives you the idea and courage to go create your own thing.
Much love and peace.
Glenn || SUPPORT