By Daina Deblette · www.dainadeblette.com · 4 min
November 5, 2024
It’s common for artists to feel stuck—not because the desire to create isn’t there, but because we often carry judgments about what constitutes “real” art. We find ourselves tangled in ideas about the “right” way to create, even when deep down, we know that art is a deeply personal and unique expression. Yet, this judgment can keep us from picking up the brush, pencil, tool, instrument...
Recently, I met an artist in my studio who shared she was creatively stuck. Despite having a strong desire to create and a supportive partner who gifted them beautiful art supplies, they couldn’t bring themselves to start. As we spoke, it became clear that their resistance wasn’t about ability or lack of ideas—it was about a judgment of what processes are "respectfully artistic" and what they considered "cheating." Specifically, they held the belief that working from photographs was somehow less valid, not realizing that this is my process!
As they admired my work, I could see the awe in their eyes, followed by common assumptions about talent and processes. I shared my story of how I came to accept, and later fully appreciate, my own way of working, which often involves referencing photographs. They were surprised, to say the least! Like them, I once held my process closely for fear of being judged—honestly, because I was judging it myself.
For a long time, I kept my process private for another reason: I’m self-taught. I taught myself how to paint in 2003 from a little Learn to Oil Paint book by Walter Foster Powell. It took me over 10 years of painting professionally before I could finally say “I am an artist,” without recoiling inside. It wasn’t because I doubted my passion or skills—I think it was because of imposter syndrome. This is something so many of us experience when we’re learning something new. When the brain is in a state of constant growth, the ego—or perhaps the body—needs time to catch up. Science shows that imposter syndrome often arises during these periods of rapid learning and change because our self-identity is evolving. Our brain adapts, but our inner sense of who we are takes longer to fully align with the new skills we’ve acquired. Over time, I pushed through the discomfort because I knew in my heart and soul that I was—and am—an artist.
I’ll never forget the moment when this judgment hit me hard. I was attending a local art gathering when I overheard an artist loudly declare that “working from photographs is cheating.” I remember feeling jolted. In that moment, I decided that I could never talk openly about my art in this group. That judgment left an impression on me to contemplate.
Later that year, I was showing my work at a local garden event, and to my surprise, the very same artist came up to my booth. They complimented my work, sparking a conversation with another attendee about art processes. As I listened, the artist started talking dismissively about artists who use references (again!). I had a choice in that moment—continue hiding or step into my truth.
I found my voice and shared my process: why I work from photographs and why it works for me. You see, I don’t have a photographic memory. I experience life deeply, and I translate those experiences into my paintings. My work isn’t about capturing visual details exactly as they are; it’s about painting feeling states—sensory experiences drawn from memory. Because I don’t recall details with precision, I found trying to do so frustrating and creatively stifling. By referencing photographs, I can return to the feeling of the moment, bypassing the block of trying to recreate the exact visual details. As Marie Forleo says,
"Everything is figureoutable."
My mind processes the world through multiple senses: visual, auditory, and felt, much like the claires in intuitive experiences—clairvoyance, clairaudience, and clairsentience. But the visuals come through like looking through blurry glass. By using photographs, I return to the essence of the experience and immerse myself in the creative flow.
As I shared this with the artist, I could sense their perspective shift. I reminded them that there is no one "right" way to create. Every artist’s process is valid if it helps them move into the act of creating and enjoy the flow state that makes art so meaningful. To my surprise, we ended up having a meaningful conversation about how our judgments can limit our growth, and I expressed how their earlier statement had affected me. In that moment, we both expanded our awareness and grew from the connection.
Art is not about fitting into someone else’s mold of how it should be done. We are each meant to be unique. With over 8 billion people in the world, there are over 8 billion ways of seeing, feeling, experiencing, processing and expressing life. Your creative process is a reflection of who you are, and no one can define that but you.
No two people experience their inner and outer worlds in the same way. As Neville Goddard said on the law of consciousness,
“The conscious generates ideas and impresses these ideas on the subconscious; the subconscious receives ides and gives form and expression to them.”
This sums up how we each create.
So, if you’ve ever hesitated to embrace your process because it doesn’t fit into someone else’s idea of what art should be, I invite you to release that judgment. There is no such thing as “cheating” when it comes to creativity. As long as your process brings you a sense of enjoyment and allows you to express yourself, it’s valid.
Give yourself permission to create in the way that feels right for you. After all, your unique voice and approach are what make your art an extension of you. And the world needs you.
About the Author:
Daina Deblette is a professional artist, teacher, therapeutic counsellor, and transformational coach living on Salt Spring Island, BC. She teaches art at her brick-and-mortar location, Ocean Art Studio, and online, and helps people return to their creativity and overcome creative blocks through 1:1 and group coaching. Visit www.dainadeblette.com to learn more or reach out directly at daina@dainadeblette.com.
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