Art Beyond Myself
Making art because you love art is the most important aspect to maintain a flow of satisfaction in the river of creativity. It is that personal enjoyment that allows artists to keep trying, exploring, expressing, and perfecting. We want to love what we do. We want to get better at it. We want to improve our technique and explore other ways to bring our ideas to life. We want art to be our vehicle of expression. That inner examination of our thoughts and emotions is what keeps our art alive. We want to make a living out of art as well. It is a goal to live out of what we love to do. All of the above are legitimate and totally justified reasons with value on their own. Is there anything more or anything else that our art can accomplish beyond ourselves? Or is art all about us as artists?
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Idleness. Private Collection in NYC.
This week I was asked to write a ‘Mission Statement’ in which I had to articulate my purpose and intentions for creating art. The mission statement required a clear plan or goal I want to accomplish. I personally believe that the aforementioned purpose makes my art be all about myself and by doing that when I die my art will die with me. That made me rethink and reconsider the reason for my limited existence in the physical world. This mission statement was already in my thoughts and my heart, but it is a good idea to put it together in one declaration that shows intentionality. It also serves to prepare myself for a larger dream I have that I won’t mention at this time. While it is still taking shape I want to share it with you. This is my mission statement so far:
To present each piece of art, each exhibit, each class, party, workshop, conference, and presentation I provide to help people reconnect with themselves, with memories, feelings, and experiences that have been suppressed or forgotten as a stepping stone towards healing of the soul.
I am not really concerned about acceptance in museums and galleries. It would be nice and I will appreciate it if it happens but it is not my purpose for making art. As I said, I have a different dream. I want to make art beyond myself. I want my art to reach people much more than just visually. I want my art to speak to people and help them heal the wounds of the past.
Finding Meaning in Our Work
“Are you having fun?” I ask this question almost everywhere I go to people who is working. Most of the time people just laugh and respond with sarcasm.
We work a lot. Sometimes too much. It seems like our agendas are based on work and fitting other activities where there is no work. That is not a bad thing. I find it an issue when work becomes more important than people around you. I also find working a lot an issue if we don’t enjoy our work or the fruit of our labor.
What does it mean to enjoy our labor? It could mean different things for each on of us. Certainly, that’s the point: finding meaning in our work. Finding meaning in what we do, and purpose to all the effort we put on everyday for so many hours makes a difference in our attitudes and aptitudes in our performance. It also alleviates the stress that comes with the job. If we enjoy what we are doing, time seems to move faster and the day goes by quickly. Sometimes we don’t even notice. The opposite is also true when we really ‘have’ to work but we don’t want to work. The day seems to drag forever.
What does it mean to enjoy the fruit of our labor? Again, we need to find our own meaning. It could be just to be able to kick back at the end of the day and be satisfied with what was accomplished. It could be being surrounded by the people you love, or having that alone time we all need. A glass of wine, a good book, a movie, food, all this things that makes us feel that it was worth. Our days are indeed few, and our lives go by like a short clip in the very long movie of existence. Why not enjoy what we do while we do it and then after?
This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.
Ecclesiastes 5: 18-20