With the last blog we eliminated people who were pursuing art for the wrong reasons and hopefully liberated them to go after the dreams that are meaningful to them, instead of knuckling under to pressure. Now, let's talk to those of you who are still left, and who want to be known as "artists".

There are many steps toward pursuing art as an "artist", whether you are looking to make money from art or simply be very good at it. (Usually those who are very good at art eventually make some money from it, even if that is not their primary goal.) Today, the first thing I want to bring up is making art.

Making art is vital to your success as an artist. It sounds like I am stating the obvious, but many people need to hear this: "You have to make art!" 

Consider this scenario: A person goes to her creative space, ( the kitchen table) bright and early with intent to paint. She pulls out her palette, oil paints, brushes, support, etc. and looks at them. She decides that she cannot possbly work with the disarray in her paintbox, so she starts to sort through the tubes. She discards some, makes a mental note to order replacements, and arranges them neatly.

Next, our artist begins to think about a subject. She happens to be an intuitive painter who paints subjects from memory or from imagination, so she begins to sketch out some ideas. Nothing seems particularly inspiring, and then the phone rings. It is her sister who has to go to work and has two kids with 100 degree temperatures. The kids have been to the doctor yesterday, and they have medicine- they just aren't well enough to go to school yet. The sister has already missed three days of work this month, and wants to know if our artist can possibly watch the kids from 9 until 5- she can bring them over and will pick them up promptly at 5:30. Our artist agrees- after all, her sister has a "real job" and she can't afford to put it in jeopardy. 

Our artist quickly puts away the oils, and instead pulls out some colored pencils, thinking that oils are not safe forsmall children to be exposed to. She is contemplating some drawing ideas when the doorbell rings. Our artist spends the next eight hours juggling babysitting duties, dinner preparations, laundry and phone calls from family and friends, including three from the anxious sister checking on the kids. Her sister, true to her word, arrives promptly at 5:30, gushing with appreciation. Our exhausted artist was glad to have helped, but as she glances over at the colored pencils lying forlornly on the table, she realizes she has sacrificed yet another day getting nothing accomplished that brings her closer toward her goal of being an artist.

How many of us can identify with this scenario? Certainly, we would never want to turn away our sister's children in a moment of need, but we need to balance our familial, social, and current career obligations with our need to fulfill our creative desires. Next time, I will discuss how even this day could have gone better, and start to address some thoughts to help get us on the right track to being serious about our art.

(Disclaimer: the following is the opinion of the writer and is for entertainment purposes only, and should not be construed as personal career or life-coaching advice. ) 

So, you think you want to be an artist?

I have talked to many people in my life who have "artistic talent" and they have conveyed their wishes to me about becoming an artist. Of those, I would venture to say that none have realized their wish- at least not yet. (For purposes of this discussion, I am defining the term "artist" as people who create art consistently over the long haul, whether or not they are paid to do it. It is an intrinsic part of their lives- not something they do occasionally, or used to do, or might do again someday. )

Anyway, as a result of these discussions with these potential artists, I have pondered what it takes to be an artist, and why most of the people I have encountered who have professed to want to be artists have not yet done it. This pondering has led to a desire to briefly write down my thoughts about art, artists, and the artistic process geared toward those who think they might want to be artists. (This is the first blog of a series.)

So, you really think you want to be an artist? Why?  Because you have talent? Because you enjoy it? Because your mother, father, sister, brother or significant other thinks you should? Because you want to create something lasting outside yourself- a legacy of sorts? Because you can draw pretty pictures?

Artists create art for many reasons, and some have more than one reason that resonates within them to drive them to produce art, but today I am going to address reasons that you should not become an artist. That is right. I am going to discuss the negative, but not to be negative. Instead, my hope is to liberate some of you from a misplaced wish to please others.

The first reason for not becoming an artist I am going to discuss is a lack of desire or drive. My dad always told me that it is better to be a happy dishwasher than an unhappy lawyer, and it applies to art as well. Do you have the drive to consistently paint or draw or sculpt or whatever, day in and day out, even when it is not fun or inspiring or glamorous? Does the idea of creating a new piece of art really get you excited? Do you go to art shows and immediately, upon seeing an inspiring piece,  feel torn between viewing the rest of the show and racing to your studio to create? Do you want to "do art" even if the world doesn't understand your work and the gallery reps are not fighting each other to represent you? Can you see yourself locked away in your studio, or basement, or wherever, producing art  for the rest of your life, even if no one recognizes your talent in your lifetime? Or can you see yourself battling the bugs, the rain, the heat, the wind or whatever in search of that perfect photograph or plein air painting? If you cannot relate to any of these things I have just said, then perhaps being an artist is not for you. In fact, if you really don't want to do what it takes to make art, then you need to find what does make you feel satisfied, and pursue that. There is no shame or guilt in not being an artist. In fact it is perfectly okay to occasionally paint, or sculpt, or sketch, or do some other form of art as a hobby or for relaxation. Just as the casual angler doesn't try to make a living from fishing, so can the person with "talent" casually create kitchen-table masterpieces without an obligation to pursue being an artist. And this brings me to my next point:

Don't allow yourself to be "guilted" into art. If others in your life are pressuring you to pursue art as a career, and you don't want to do it, then don't feel guilty about your decision. Back when I was in the ministry, I used to have a saying: Don't let your "talent" interfere with your "calling". In other words, just because you have an innate ability to draw well, does not mean that you must spend your life doing it if you don't derive any enjoyment or satisfaction from it, or if you think that your other abilities overshadow the talent for art. Perhaps you are a great communicator- should you pursue art instead of becoming a diplomat or teacher or lawyer or actor? Perhaps in addition to being able to draw you have an affinity for math or science. Should you forego a career as an accountant, a mathematician or an engineer in order to pursue art? What I am getting at, is that you need to do something that is meaningful to you, not just to those around you. When you pursue something from which you derive satisfaction, you are more likely to do whatever it takes to succeed. Of course this doesn't guarantee success, but it is better than slaving away at something you hate.

So, if you genuinely want to do art, and you are not being guilted or otherwise cajoled into pursuing art, then it might be a good plan for you to pursue it. If you don't want to do it, then stop kidding yourself and figure out what you do have a passion about, and devote some time and energy to that.

Next time, I will explore other art related issues in the future. Until then, happy creating- or not!