Why Make Art?

I remember sitting with one of my advisors at University and I had expressed experiencing a feeling of vapidity about making my art. I felt being an artist had no purpose, and was almost irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. I wanted to be certain my work was important, that it was going to add to the world, making it a better place. My advisor immediately understood what I was getting at, and completely empathized. We discussed this at length, and our exchange helped me simply to address my feelings openly. It helped to clarify things and to realize that most of us have moments like this, where we question our art in relation to having a higher purpose, and the reason for making art within the world.

Hearing this, some might say in response, well if you feel this way, why don't your find something that will give you a deeper sense of purpose. The fact is I rarely feel my art is purposeless, nor about being an artist. For that matter, I know I can't help being an artist, or living life creatively. I wouldn't have it any other way. Being an artist has become my vocation.

Evey artist reaches a point in their life when they feel this vapidity about their art and being an artist. Perhaps the reasons many artist do feel purposeless is related to the way we are valued of not valued in society. Art is not considered a necessity like doctors, lawyers, mechanics etc. Only when artists reach a certain elite level within the 'art world ' do they get recognition and are the given a status, or, after the have left this mortal coil. It is a sad state of affairs. Art and artists are absolutely necessary, and contribute greatly to the world in countless ways, personally, professionally and economically.


It may seem to some artists to be a rhetorical question, why make art, because we know very well the essential reasons we are artists. Often though, we are not really good at clarifying this. I think it is so important the as artists we know how convey this in a discourse, so we can change and even enlighten those would just don't understand art or artist's or why it is so vital to life.

Today I found a great blog post by Alyson Stanfield who has addressed this issue of an artist's purpose and the value of art.

Follow Your Bliss

I admit it I have some OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). Perhaps it comes with the territory being a creative person I don't know, I am not a psychologist. I am familiar with stereotypical labels and characteristics that artists so often are perceived as having. I do think artists are driven by their creative passion and they can't help but engage in the creative process. This could certainly be construed as being a compulsion.

I've been making baskets and tying knots with float line rope. Seems it's all I think about lately, and no doubt will do so until I feel this is enough, and I need a change. There is something very satisfying about this kind of creative process indulgence, but when it's run it's course, and come to completion, I feel rather frustrated and lost. I think to myself what now? I don't panic, but can feel a little anxious in that, I could easily fret about the return of my creative muse. I've gone through this process so many times, for so long, that I know I need to be patient and so I wait, for the muse to return. If I tire of waiting, I simply do something, anything creative. Daily long hand writing helps with this dryness of creative spirit and it's why I do it habitually. If I don't write every day, I just don't feel right, complete or together within myself. 

The wonderful thing about being an artist to me, is my work is my also my passion.The variety of subject matter, expression, and form all enable me to never get bored with my "job". Artists follow their passions, and bliss. They can't help but  do this, otherwise they'd be unhappy. I wish everyone could love what they do, and do what they love to work at. Don't get me wrong I've had many hard, difficult and some of the crappiest jobs throughout my life. 

The saying, find something you love to do and you will never work again is true. An artist rarely can make a full time living at their art, unless you are Damien Hirst, the wealthiest artist in the world I think, and so you need to be resourceful, flexible and willing to do whatever you can find to support yourself. 

Fortunately today, unlike when I went to art school back in the 70s, many Bachelor of Fine Art degree programs now, teachers spend a good deal of time educating students about the business end of selling art, and being an artist. Making art is about creativity, but once money is exchanged it's about commerce. Artists need to know about commerce and how to make a living from their art. Art and commerce are not diametrically opposed, as some might think and making money is hardly an evil thought to have as an artist. Contrary to popular thought we don't like to starve!

The arrival of Spring means, I take my art making out doors to enjoy the sunshine, fresh country air, the plethora of birds and the lack of bugs. 

I have posted my latest basket, along with some Spring flowers popping up in my garden. Yesterday while I was out I had a very welcome surprise visitor, the hummingbirds are back, and I am so enjoying the Canada geese!

Happy Spring friends and follow your bliss, your heart will thank you for it!

Ass Kissing Your Way Through Art School? Then What?

The above is from an engaging site on this very topic, Art Workers Won't Kiss Ass

I learned a long time ago in the 70's when I was very involved in the politics of feminism and art while attending NSCAD , that I didn't want to ever ass kiss my way through art school in order to be successful. That said, it is my belief that practical business/ commerce knowledge and skills are vital to all artists to increase one's ability to sell your art work.

More often than not, our work is undervalued. As artists we don't need to contribute to this by short selling ourselves and perpetuating the sterotype of the starving and long suffering artist that lives in a garret, who have to sell our souls to the devil, and ass kiss to get ahead!

As an artist, that has returned to university to complete my BFA, I am painfully aware of how students are not given the business skills regarding, marketing and selling their work without loosing one's personal integrity.

This was even more so the situation in my early years as an art student. It is still prevalent, but fortunately today art students have the opportunity more than ever to access commerce related information, if they seek it out, and Professors encourage and reinforce the importance of having commerce as part of your education while in art school.

Studying and understanding how to market yourself as an artist, I would dare to say is percieved as diametrical to what it means to be an artist, to the point of being a sacrilege. This is also a myth, making us victims of our own personas in which we are percieved as never needing or wanting to seriously consider the material or monetary in terms of our art practice or careers.

This is not a moral highground nor should it be. I am certain no artist wants or chooses poverty as their lot in life, loosing an ear or maddness in order to be an artist! Making art is work, hard work, but it also doesn't mean we are destined for a life of poverty. We want, need and deserve to expect to be remunerated for our work.