What We Need

I have discovered over the last decade that the act of becoming an artist involves more than creativity, hard work and perseverance. It's vital to remain centered - for me, this means maintaining an awareness of the creative world around me, and spending time each day appreciating and supporting those who are also working in this realm.

We all have universal needs as artists - to be acknowledged, encouraged, to feel what we do has value.   I was talking with an artist friend recently and she described it aptly: "This is something in your soul, that you have to do, no matter the consequences.  Sales are nice, money's nice - we all need that - but even if the sales weren't there I couldn't stop what I'm doing. It's like breathing." 

Because we often feel this inner need to create so compellingly, when we don't receive external validation it can be disheartening.

I believe strongly that a meaningful artistic life involves supporting the artists around me as much as it involves honoring my own inner motivations.  I have accumulated a list of goals that I aspire to, and although I don't always accomplish these goals, they remind me to live each day with an awareness that I am not on this journey alone.  So each evening, I take a deep breath and ask myself these questions:

Did I offer my enthusiasm in support of another artist today?

Did I acknowledge how much I owe to those who went before me?

Did I listen compassionately to another artist's fears or aspirations?

Did I appreciate the criticisms for what they were - the other half of the dialog that my artwork started?

Did I maintain faith in myself despite the challenges?

Like I said, I don't always accomplish every goal - some days I don't even come close.  But I've learned to be patient with myself, and to remember that being an artist isn't always just about the art.

Upcoming Exhibitions:

National Association of Women Artists 121st Annual Exhibition, June 9th - 27th, at the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South, New York, NY

"WAOWing the Golden State" Women Artists of the West 40th National Exhibition, June 4th - 30th, Olaf Wieghorst Museum, El Cajon, CA

Comments

[Jo-Ann Sanborn]

Nice post. Thanks for the reminder of the importance of supporting each other.

[John Perry]

This is such a lovely post. A real keeper for me as well.

[TracyWall]

What a simply fabulous post, Sue. So simply and eloquently said.
Ditto Serena about his being a "keeper" to be posted.

Thank you for saying what many of us feel!!

[Serena Barton]

This is a great article--I'm going to print out and post the questions. I agree that supporting each other is vital.