What Happens When You Stop Hiding Your Story as an Artist

Not when you begin.
Not when you succeed.
But when you decide to stop hiding.

This is a story about that moment.
Jeannie Motherwell had already built a full life in the arts. She studied painting, worked in arts education, and spent years shaping the careers of others through her role at Boston University.

And like so many artists, she made her work in the margins— evenings in the studio, carving out space for what mattered most.

Then everything shifted.

She retired.
Her gallery closed.
And suddenly, the structure that had supported her life disappeared.

This is where many artists stall.

Jeannie didn’t.

She made a decision to invest in her next chapter—not just as a painter, but as a working artist navigating a very different world than the one she started in.

What she didn’t expect was that the real shift had nothing to do with strategy.

It had to do with truth.

The Part She Left Out

In a private one-on-one session with Crista, something surprising surfaced.

Jeannie is the daughter of the esteemed painter Robert Motherwell and grew up learning from both him and the equally accomplished Helen Frankenthaler.

And she had spent most of her career… barely mentioning it.

Not because it wasn’t relevant.

But because it felt like cheating.

Like an unfair advantage.
Like something that might diminish her own work.

This is more common than you think.

Artists hide:

• their past

• their privileges

• their struggles

• their influences

Because they believe the work should stand alone.

But here’s the truth:

Your story doesn’t diminish your work.
It gives it context, depth, and connection.

The Shift

Once Jeannie reframed her thinking, everything changed.

Instead of hiding her history, she began to use it as a bridge.

Not as a credential.
But as an invitation.

It became a way to connect with others—collectors, artists, and a global community of people drawn to abstract work.

And the results followed:

• Representation with two East Coast galleries

• Solo shows scheduled

• New collaborations with interior designers

• A wider, more engaged audience

Not because she changed her paintings.
But because she stopped filtering her story.

What This Means for You

Many artists are waiting for the right moment.

More time.
More validation.
More certainty.

But often, the thing holding you back isn’t skill or opportunity.

It’s what you’re not saying.

The parts you think don’t matter.
Or matter too much.

If you look closely at your own work, you may find a thread running through it— something deeply personal, consistent, and true.

That’s not something to edit out.

That’s the work.

A Note on Practice

Jeannie’s daily routine is simple—and disciplined.

She handles life first.
Admin, emails, responsibilities.

Then she goes to the studio.

Same time.
Same rhythm.
Space to work uninterrupted.

It’s not glamorous.
It’s not chaotic.

It’s consistent.

Because creativity doesn’t come from waiting.
It comes from showing up.

The Real Takeaway

You don’t need a famous lineage.
You don’t need a dramatic turning point.

But you do need honesty.

Not performative honesty.
Not strategic vulnerability.

Just the willingness to stop hiding the parts of your story that are already shaping your work.

That’s where connection happens.
And connection is what builds a career.

Thank you Jeannie

I’ve had the privilege of working with many artists over the years, but Jeannie’s journey stays with me.

There’s a quiet courage in choosing to tell the truth about who you are—especially when you’ve spent years holding part of it back.

Jeannie, I’m so proud of the way you’ve stepped fully into your work and your story. It’s
been an honor to witness.

P.S. If you’re at a similar crossroads in your own work and want focused, one-on-one support, you can learn more about working with me here: https://theworkingartist.com/just-you-me/

PPS. To see Jeannie’s fabulous work and learn more about her, visit https://jeanniemotherwell.com/

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