The Importance of Sincerity

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
― Oscar Wilde

  I was recently re-reading an article that I posted to the Art Renewal Center a few years ago.  The portion of the article that comes to mind right now is about sincerity in work.  I've been thinking about this for a while and finally feel able to convey my feelings about the topic.  When I'm working, I have found the best work comes from honestly trying to capture a feeling or emotion; this is all while not thinking about technique or being bogged down by analysis paralysis.  I've read a lot and written about technique and its importance, but it is far more important to have an individual message in the work.  
  It's not about intentionally blocking technique from your mind, but instead not being crippled by unecessary knowledge.  Don't tell yourself that you need a specific pencil or brush to work.  When you're working sincerely, then the pencil becomes a tool like every other tool and ceases to be some kind of magical object.  This all applies very well to original work; that is, work created to translate a personal emotion. 
   I am not considering sincerity any aspect of master-copies of any kind because the importance of that work is purely technical.  Knowledge is power in any case and learning is very often facilitated through emulation.  Think of schooling of any kind and how children learn my mimicking the teacher.
     A wise friend of mine once explained, "I'm just trying to find out who I am."  The balance comes down to learning about yourself and what you want out of your art.  The problem is often looking for answers outside of yourself.