You May Not Be An Artist
Articles of interst: Finding Your Artistic Path
This is a companion article to the one listed above Finding Your Artistic Path. In that article I talked about ways of finding your personal artistic path. I recommended trying several disciplines to find one that works best for you and to spend some time getting to know yourself in order to develop subjects which will be pertinent to your practice.
This article broaches a rather contentious issue and I fought over whether or not to write it. Here it goes…
I thought about the advice I gave in my previous writing and wondered: What if an individual, after all that exploration in Art, after trying all those disciplines and testing out idea after idea after idea was still unable to unveil their artistic path? What if the compulsion to engage in creative free expression wasn’t being satisfied by any of the visual mediums? The one logical answer that came to my mind was that maybe, just maybe, that person isn’t an artist.
Now don’t give me that look. I’m just the messenger. I’m following a thought to its logical conclusion. What if Art didn’t satisfy a person’s creative compulsions? What then?
For some of us Art might not be where our creativity is best suited, and as difficult as that reality is to face, we would be better off to face it sooner rather than later. The longer we spend pouring our time and effort into a practice that yields no results, the longer we’re not working on a practice which will fulfill our artistic needs.
Now, I still use the word artistic, because it can be used to describe just about anything that requires a certain amount of creativity. What you produce may not be ‘capital A’ Art but it can still be artistic and it can still satisfy you creative compulsions. I’ll give you an example.
Over the winter months, Cath’s parents kept themselves busy by creating a harp. Cath’s Mom designed it and Cath’s Dad built it. When the project was finished they sent us some pictures of the final piece and we were blown away. It was gorgeous! The artistry in it’s design was phenomenal and the woodworking skills that went into it were just as impressive. Between the designer and the craftsman, they had created an amazing, professional musical instrument which I’m sure will bring them years of joy and creative indulgence.
The harp they created may not be seen as a piece of Art in the classical sense of the word but is it artistic? Absolutely it is! Cath’s Mom’s creative impulses were engaged and satisfied by designing the harp and Cath’s Dad’s creative impulses were engaged and satisfied by the creation of the harp. Now they can both benefit from the playing of the instrument which may be where their creative impulses have been guiding them all along. Are they artists? No. Are they artistic people though? Sure they are, and now we’ll find out if they’re musicians too!
If you’ve been struggling to find your artistic path and the world of the visual arts isn’t helping to satisfy those impulses perhaps Art isn’t right for you. This isn’t a comment on your abilities or your competency as an artist. There just might not be an outlet for your creativity in the realm of visual arts.
It may be an unpalettable suggestion especially if you’ve spent a considerable amount of time working within the visual disciplines. You may be afraid to admit this to yourself. Don’t be. You won’t be losing a thing. If anything you’ll be gaining a measure of freedom to explore other avenues of creative expression that were previously blocked by your exploration of the visual arts.
There are all kinds of ways to be creative without being an artist. I personally love woodworking just like Cath’s Dad. I don’t have much time to give it so when I do pursue it, it’s usually to make stretcher frames for my paintings. Maybe woodworking is up your alley.
What about playing a musical instrument? There are a myriad of types and all kinds of ways to be creative with them. Have you ever tried one? Most of us as kids were asked to play something in shcool. I was a trumpeteer. Maybe it’s time to revive those experiences.
What about writing? I’ve been an artist all my life engaging its disciplines at every turn. Now, here I am writing about Art on the internet. Are my writings Art? No. Are they creative? Yep, and I’ve found that writing has added a new level to my expression as an individual and satisfies another aspect of my creative compulsion.
There’s no shame in admitting the you’re not an “Artiste”. Finding a way to satisfy your artistic compulsions is more important than the designation placed upon you when they are satisfied. Don’t go questing after a title. That will get you nowhere.
Realizing this about yourself will open new doors for you. Where they lead is up to you.
For now, that is all. Goodnight.
