Fear, Doubt, and Self Loathing

Fear, doubt, and self-loathing have become close acquaintances of mine. I thought I would shuck them as I grew older, but they continue to sit with me while I work. Sometimes they are loud, other times they just drink tea and keep a side eye on me. I accept them as part of my practice- voices that most artists know well. Is what I am doing any good? "Will anyone like it"? "Should I give up"?, "Am I being honest"?...... and on and on they go with their tedious banter. To offer such intimate parts of the self to the world through art requires deep vulnerability. To know that this might mean you, or your work may not be liked takes deep courage. I'm down with the vulnerability part- it is the courage I am still working on. This painting depicts the intersection of both.