How important is it for you to create your art?
I imagine if you’re passionate about it, you might think it’s pretty important. You might think about it a lot. You might get frustrated if you can’t seem to finish a project or bring one of your ideas to life.
Sometimes, at the end of the day, I look around me and see that I didn’t accomplish much at all. The house is a mess. The children are pining for my attention. It’s time to read them a story, put them to bed, and be done with the day. Whatever I didn’t create for the day doesn’t matter anymore.
I have a family. I have priorities. Maybe, you do too.
BUT, the world needs YOUR art. Your contribution. That’s what I keep hearing, anyways. So, that feeling of disappointment hangs over me, because I didn’t make enough of a “contribution” at the end of the day.
BUT, here’s the thing…
Regardless of what you read, or what people tell you, I wouldn’t recommend OVER-GLORIFYING your art so much.
Creating art is simple (kind of).
If you love what you do, make time for it. MAKE time for it.
Once you have that moment set aside to create, give it your best and be DONE with it for the day. Your BEST. Your ALL. Whatever you didn’t do doesn’t matter. It’s NOT disappointing.
The office is closed. How many pages have I produced? I don’t care. Are they any good? I don’t even think about it. All that matters is I’ve put in my time and hit it with all I’ve got.
-Steven Pressfield
Your art doesn’t define you.
It’s not WHO you are. It’s something you do, and you do it well. Be happy about that.
Is giving the world your art and your contribution important? Of course. So, yeah… make some time to give it all you got. But, if the people you love are pining for your attention at the end of the day, then give it to them.
The world needs that MORE.
The world needs more happy people. People that are nurtured and supported by caring individuals. Caring individuals that realize that people matter more than inanimate objects.
There’s a reason The Carpenters went on and on about the world needing love, sweet love. There truly is too little of that. There is, however, plenty of people over-worked, desperately trying to BE somebody important, as if who they are isn’t enough. As if, at the end of the day if you didn’t paint the Mona Lisa or finish that novel, the world would suffer.
The world is suffering because of lack of love. Not because of lack of Art.
There is Art all around you. Or have you not noticed?
The world has an abundance of Art.
photo credit: Rich Proctor – theskyasart.blogspot.com
There’s a reason The Beatles tried to convince us that “all we need is love”… ”there’s nothing you can make that can’t be made”… “there’s nothing you can know that can’t be known”…
You can over-glorify what you make or what you know, but ultimately, all the glory belongs to love. That’s what makes it all possible.
Your Art DOES matter. In fact, creating it may very well contribute to your happiness. After all, you love what you do, right? So, do it! But, at the risk of bursting anyone’s ego-filled bubble….
As talented as you might be, don’t ever think for a second that any piece of art you bring into this world matters more than who you are, or the love you have to give another human being.
That’s what the world needs.
Even more than your Art.
Great post. We often put too much emphasis on what we do than who we are. Who we are and what we do for others is what matters most.
Love it, Cam. Agreed :)
Art is something that is taken for granted. I think art and talent go hand in hand sometimes and you have to find it within you. Great post
Thanks, Kita! :)
Mmm… I think I get what you’re saying (“emphasize and prioritze” love)…
…but what if I see love as art, and art as love.
The art of life, the art of success.
I consider myself a success-artist, or a life-artist, focused on masterful creation of a LIFE, and all that entails :)
Hmmm… good food for thought, thanks for always inspiring Denise :D
If you’re living a passionate life, then yeah… it’s all gona be drenched in love, Jason ;)
But, just know where to direct your love and when. I don’t want my passion for my work to leave my kids feeling un-loved, for example. When I’m gone, what will matter to them is how I showed them that I love them.. not what art I created.
Amen! It is a fine line, one that I have struggled with on the putting the kids first side. I have started allowing myself time to do whatever art project I have going for a short session, and not feel guilty about it. When I start to feel like I don’t have enough time, I remember that my ideas will never expire, but the time I have with my kids will (they won’t be asking me to read to them in 3 years…).
Yup, I know what ya mean! And bedtime stories are my favorite.. I want to enjoy that as much as possible :)
Yep, “drenched in love” what an awesome line for my life. I love it. Thank you, Denise.
I occasionally find myself in these types of ‘balancing two energies’ discussions (though they are lessening…)
Balance
-work + play
-art + family
-time + money
-quality + quantity
etc.
And sometimes it’s an interesting vibe for me, because people seem to aim for some ridiculously fine line of balance…
…and I always aim for it all.
I believe people can have it all. I believe humanity is great and can accomplish beyond all limitations.
And I study people who generally… do so :D
I envision a world where everyone just DOES have a perfect blend of art + family, and instead we as a species/culture/people are focused on *other challenges*.
But hey… I’m a freak, Gaga-style, so, what can ya do :D
that is a beautiful vision for the world :)
My, I basically fell on my knees reading this. You summed it all up in one single blog post what the world needs the most.
Glad it resonated with you :)
Beautiful post Denise! I am honored to have been a small part of it.
Thanks Rich! I love your sky photography :)
“The world is suffering because of lack of love. Not because of lack of Art.” LOVE IT!
This reminds me of a sermon I heard last week about keeping your priorities straight: God first, your body second (bc we need to stick around for our loved ones), our loved ones, THEN our mission/work. Many people place their work far above other things, if not to the top of the list.
Thanks for sharing this truth with others in a creative way. ;) Straight to the gut like always.
Thanks :) and I know all about not having my priorities straight, I have my moments too… so I’m not guilt-free on that one.. but that’s why I can write about it – from experience.
Preach it, sister! Advancing the energy, one word, act, person at a time…
Thanks, Rich :)