Personalized insight
How Artists Silence the Critics Within
There was something magical about getting lost in the narrow medieval streets of Avignon.
What began as a simple search for lunch and a filming location for this video transformed into an unexpected lesson about confidence—one that I was meant to share, but ended up learning.
My friend and I wandered the charming lanes of southern France with two simple objectives: find somewhere picturesque to film this video about confidence for artists, and to find somewhere yummy for lunch.
I was studying a menu when he tapped my shoulder and pointed to what was literally right behind us—L’Académie des Arts d’ Avignon.
We peered through the tall windows of this venerable institution and spotted artists deeply engaged in their work.
“Let’s shoot the video in there!” he suggested enthusiastically.
I felt shy. The thought of barging into an art school uninvited made me uncomfortable—a moment of irony not lost on me now, considering I was there to talk about artistic confidence.
While I stood frozen with uncertainty, my cameraman had already made his way inside.
Before I knew it, I found myself invited to speak to a group of French artists—in French—about my work.
My language skills, unfortunately, crumble under pressure. When attempting to explain that my job was about mentoring artists, I apparently told them my job was about “lying to artists”.
Not exactly the confident first impression I had hoped for!
But something beautiful happened in that moment of vulnerability. Despite my linguistic stumbles, I discovered that art truly is a universal language. I connected with each student individually before filming, and found the pupils of Madame Eveline Kuhlman to be passionate, talented, thoughtful, and incredibly generous with both their space and spirits.
In a place where I should have been teaching confidence, I was receiving a masterclass in it.
These artists welcomed a stranger who couldn’t properly communicate in their language, yet they saw beyond that barrier to connect through our shared love of creativity.
This video I’m sharing today about confidence, and it is dedicated to my new friends at the Académie des Arts d’Avignon. Thank you for sharing your beautiful studios and, more importantly, for demonstrating that true confidence often begins with openness—the willingness to welcome unexpected connections and find common ground in our creative journeys.
Learn more about this incredible institution at academie-arts-avignon.fr
