Why You Must Be An Artist
Have you ever spent time wishing you were an artist of some sort? I have—so much time that I could have a stunning portfolio of work if I’d spent that time creating something. I have discovered, though, that besides doing the work, all it really takes to be an artist is a willingness to put yourself out there. Not necessarily your physical self, your other self. The part of you that is a jumble of emotion and beliefs and fear and laughter and wonder.
Of course, discovering the type of artist you are is not always that easy; or is it? The first thing is acknowledging the desire you have to share what you feel with others-that primal longing to be understood, to leave your mark on the world. The next thing is seeing how that desire fulfills itself: singing, writing, acting, painting, cooking, playing a musical instrument, taking pictures, the list goes on. You don’t have to choose it, it will choose you. If it hasn’t found you yet, take a pottery class or learn calligraphy. Pick up a camera. Bake and decorate a cake. Redecorate your living room. Keep looking until it finds you.
Creating art is a way to connect to something larger than yourself, or maybe to find where you belong. To seek out your tribe. To find your place in the universe. It’s a way to teach, to learn, to unburden yourself, like a pressure relief valve letting all that has built up inside you escape. It’s a way to discover who you are, who you are meant to be, and even who you want to be. It’s a way to convey wisdom and beauty, amaze the senses, evoke emotion. It’s a way to feel alive.
I heard a piece on NPR once during a classical music show my dad was listening to. I stood there—mesmerized—for minutes after it ended. The music evoked a combination of joy and melancholy, like the absolute love and joy I feel when I’m sharing in my grandchildren’s lives and the sadness of knowing I won’t be here to experience the whole of it with them. It was deep and profound.
Each of us can affect someone in deep and profound ways through our art. Each person has something unique to contribute. It hasn’t all been done, because your version of whatever it is isn’t out there yet. Somebody else may have said what you want to say, but not the same way you would say it. Every facet of a story we get helps us come closer to truth, to understanding the world and ourselves.
Depending on how old you are, you might remember Pure Prairie League’s “Falling in and out of Love” from their Bustin’ Out album in 1972. Pure Prairie League-Falling in and out of Love Take a listen if you have a minute. Now how about Alicia Keys’ debut album Songs in A Minor? Listen to Fallin’. Alicia Keys-Fallin’ Two different artists, two songs built on the same phrase, two totally different experiences. There’s room for all of us out there.
Musicians all have the same set of notes, writers have the same dictionary of words, painters the same colors, yet how diverse is all the art out there? From Row, Row, Row Your Boat to The Rolling Stones to Mozart, Goodnight Moon to War and Peace, street graffiti to the Mona Lisa, there is a very wide variety of artistic expression and an audience for everything.
This is why you must be an artist. We need your viewpoint, your vision, all the things that are uniquely you expressed in the world. We need to experience each other’s vision, emotion, truth if for no other reason than to build bridges of understanding between us. Whether you believe it or not, you have an artist inside you just waiting to come out and play. Let that artist out and change the world as only you can.
The artist inside me is telling me, “Write that down and share it. Someone out there needs to hear it!” What is the artist inside you saying?
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That was a very good read
Thanks! Your inner artist is always playing!
My inner artist, which has tried a variety of mediums over the years, is telling me I need to reconnect with that part of my being
Lisa, I think I’m much happier when my artist is playing. Of course it likes to do more than write-I’ve got some experiments with photography I’m piddling with and some jewelry I’m rearranging-but I feel stifled when my artist is stuck inside. So answer the call! Let your artist come out and play! It’ll put a smile on your face, and mine!
The funny thing about this is that my “outer person” is extremely critical of my inner artist. I have decided it’s because the outer me is jealous. The outer me is the one who is constantly surveying the situation, checking for clues, wondering if my actions and behaviors are being accepted by the world around me. The outer me is the wall that I have built to keep me from being hurt. It wishes that it could be as carefree and bold as my inner artist. And since it can’t, it is constantly telling the artist “step back, be quiet, settle down. You’re going to embarrass the rest of us!”
Most inner artists think they’re not good enough to put themselves out there. “I wish…” they say. Well, I have spent years saying that to myself over and over. The outer me tells my inner artist, “you’re a fake, a fraud, a pretend artist!”
The funny thing about that is, I graduated from the University of Memphis with my Bachelors of Fine Arts / Studio Art with concentrations in sculpture and ceramics. Just today I was asked to email some of my work to an author who is working on a book of Bible verses for children. Do you know what I automatically thought? “You’re a fake, a fraud, a pretend artist. You can’t do that. She is going to laugh at your work!”
So keep in mind, when your “outer wall” tries to silence your inner artist, you’re not the only one hearing that from yourself. “Real artists” also hear that voice… all the time. You only have to see that your outer wall is there to protect you from being hurt. But in doing so, it also keeps you from many other feelings. If you are too afraid you might skin your knee, you’ll never know the sense of overwhelming joy and freedom when you learn to run.
Lou, It’s awesome that you can see that so clearly. You do awesome work and my inner artist is also jealous of your inner artist! Tell your outer self to sit down and be quiet. It’s time for your inner artist to fly! P.S. I hope you sent some pictures!
Great read. I can’t draw a straight line and always wished I could and so appreciate all who can draw. However I keep a neat yard all the time, I can plant flowers and keep them alive and I can edge with a weed eater. To me that is art in the yard. Edging completes the mowing process. Thank you Carol Horton. So enjoying your blog and thoughts.
Susan, a well planted and maintained yard is a beautiful thing! I think landscaping is an art, too. And I agree, the edging is the cherry on top. When I find a yard like that, I have been known to go out of my way to drive by it just to enjoy its beauty! I’ll bet your neighbors appreciate your art! I’m also so glad you’re enjoying this whole blogging thing…I’m loving this journey we’re on and so appreciate having you here!
Susan you sound like me. I have recently been more into preserving forest areas. Keeping native trees from being killed by vines and other nuisance plants . I hope to transplant ferns and other woodland plants. My father was not a good steward to the land he inherited, so it’s a real challenge. Barry does most of the real work. I usually start fires with my watercolor “art”. Music is my first and most comforting art. I struggle to find time to play,and when I do its just easier to listen to others. Love you.
Share with us if you will-what instrument do you play? And you do watercolors? I’d love to hear more about it!
I bought a camera a little over a year ago. I’ve barely used it, but over the summer, I took a photography class and now I take the camera with me everywhere I go. I’ve realized that I see interesting things in the “ordinary”. Nothing is really ordinary, we just think it is because we look at it day in and day out. One day my “inner self” will convince my “outer self” that my photos are good enough to sell. Until then, they’re good enough to make me smile.
Denita, that’s so cool! There is so much beauty in the everyday. Want to put your toe in the water? Post one of your photos on Facebook and tell everyone that you took it and maybe even where you took it. I bet you won’t be smiling alone!
Denita, Isn’t it amazing how you can barely crack open the door to your creative side, and it finds a way to fling the door wide open? The ability to “see” like that is a large percentage of creativity. It makes me sad to think some people will never be able to see things in the world that way.