The Origins of Creativity: Childhood Inspirations
Art has always been a core part of human expression, a powerful way to channel creativity and emotion. But why do you create art? Think back to when you first started. Perhaps it wasn’t painting or illustration; maybe it was music, dancing, acting, woodworking, coloring books, or even building with Legos. Creativity likely began with simple acts—dancing to MTV videos (back when MTV played music videos) or scribbling on paper. Eventually, that creative act became an obsession, an addiction driven by the dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin hits that trigger our pleasure and positive emotions. Like Busta Rhymes says, “If you want it, let me hear you say it (gimme some more).”
From Imagination to Music: The Early Creative Journey
I can’t pinpoint the exact moment it all started, but I remember having a vivid imagination, with my dad always encouraging me, and still does, to embrace it. From a young age, I created and imagined fantastical worlds with my action figures, which likely led to what I call “action drawings”—doodles of space battles with gunfire and explosions that resembled mindless scribbles by the time I was done. Legos were another go-to creative outlet, but I never built what was in the package. I always created something original.
As I grew, my creative energy found a new outlet in music, leading to an obsession with the guitar as I aspired to become the next long-haired rockstar. Music spawned other supporting endeavors, including graphic arts, digital artwork, printmaking, and learning other instruments. I was in a band for a while; we toured and released a few albums. As the saying goes, we had about 10 minutes of fame—not even the full 15 minutes. For more details on this experience, check out my site's “About Me” page and blog post “The Journey of an Amateur, Emerging, Professional Artist.”
The Reality of the Music Industry: A Difficult Decision
I vividly remember when the passion that once fueled my music began to wane, leading to a difficult but necessary decision: to quit the band and step away from the life I once dreamed of. We played locally and nationally for a few years, attracting some interest from record labels, enjoying decent indie radio play, and building a modest following. However, it felt like I was spinning my wheels. The riffs I was coming up with were uninspired, and collectively, there was no fire or soul in the songs we wrote—at least, that’s how I felt. Promoting the band, playing shows, and loading and unloading equipment at all hours of the night became tiresome. Meanwhile, many other bands we played with, like Nonpoint, got picked up by labels while we were left behind. What I loved so much—my lifelong dream of playing guitar and creating songs—became an anchor and burden. Furthermore, I was in my early twenties, transitioning into adulthood. My job turned into a career, and I was at that point where one starts adulting and conforming to “societal norms.”
Navigating Corporate Life: Creativity in a New Form
Even though I stepped away from music, the urge to create never left. As much as I conformed to “societal norms,” my creative muse never completely gave up on me. She came and went, inspiring me to try different creative endeavors like photography, music, and digital art. However, I noticed it was much harder to create freely than when I was younger. It does seem true that conformity kills creativity. My muse, however, adapted to my situation. Now that I was Mr. Corporate America, I was lucky enough to find my way into designing commercial facilities. It all began with space planning facilities using AutoCAD, which then morphed into 3D design and rendering, and eventually managing a department of creatives designing everything from warehouses to office spaces to retail automotive facilities. I even pursued it as a side hustle.
The Shift Away from Design: Challenges in a New Role
However, that, too, had a shelf life, though not by my own doing. I enjoyed architecture and interior design, but was forced to give that up when transitioning to a new role managing real estate development and construction of car dealerships. While I had my brush with facility design, nothing truly quenched my creative thirst. But my muse was persistent. She pushed me to earn a degree in Interior Design, which kept me busy for four years in academic creativity. Looking back, I think she either had a sick sense of humor or was punishing me, as this artistic endeavor was very expensive and exhausting. I attended school full-time while traveling and managing multimillion-dollar projects across the country. But again, this, too, ended, and I was fully immersed in the corporate hamster-wheel.
A Return to Art: Rediscovering Passion Through Painting
Then, it was as if my muse had one last trick up her sleeve, igniting a passion I didn’t know I had: painting! It was as though she drugged me with a shot of inspiration because this insatiable urge wouldn’t leave, and I haven’t quit since. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I started painting for art’s sake but entertained the idea that I could capitalize on my artwork. I know it’s a long shot, but I enjoy the challenge. Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment, but I enjoy learning the business side—researching, understanding the market, and delving into the psychology of art sales. Well, not all of it. I don’t particularly care about certain things, like creating social media reels, but it’s a necessary evil in today’s digital world.
The Challenges of the Art World: Facing Reality
Recently, I've noticed growing frustration and disillusionment within the artistic community. Many artists voice concerns about the constantly shifting social media algorithms, reduced visibility, and declining sales. Some feel that art is increasingly reserved for the wealthy and that the market is leaving them behind. It's important to remember that social media is a business driven by profit, and art sales are often tied to the broader economy—interest rates, job markets, and overall financial health. When the economy struggles, art sales do, too. Artists need to know how to “move with the cheese.” If you don’t know what I'm talking about, I highly recommend the book “Who Moved My Cheese.”
Embracing the Power of Quitting: Finding Renewal in Art
All this can lead to a downward spiral that perpetuates negativity and diminishes self-esteem. Friends, colleagues, career coaches, and others continually say, “Embrace the suck” and “Persevere,” but that advice often falls flat when you’re in a negative state of mind. When negativity creeps in, it affects an artist’s output. In visual arts, this often results in creating generic, run-of-the-mill work to appease the masses for a sale instead of staying true to one’s vision and imagination. The same applies to performance art, music, and all other artistic practices. The world doesn’t need more generic, derivative art with all the nutrients bleached from it like Wonder Bread.
If you're contemplating an art career, facing some hard truths is essential. Here are some clear signs that the art world might not be the best fit for you:
Struggling with Rejection: Rejection is a constant companion in the art world. From galleries that don’t display your work to social media algorithms that overlook your posts, the road to recognition is paved with setbacks. If you find it difficult to handle these rejections, a professional art career might be more challenging than fulfilling.
Compromising Your Authenticity: If you're finding yourself altering your style or vision just to gain popularity or please a broader audience, you might lose the essence of why you started creating art in the first place. If this sacrifice leaves you feeling unfulfilled, it’s worth reconsidering your path.
Making Excuses to Avoid Creating: If you constantly find reasons not to make art, it could be a sign that your passion is waning. A professional art career requires relentless dedication, and without a strong drive to create, sustaining a career becomes difficult.
Financial Struggles Without Change: Continuously losing money in your art business without making adjustments to improve your situation is a sign that something isn't working. An art career requires not just creativity but also business acumen to thrive.
Inability to Handle Inconsistency: The art market is unpredictable, with sales that can vary dramatically. The instability might lead to frustration and burnout if you cannot accept these fluctuations.
Overreliance on Social Media: If you think social media is the only way to get your art seen, you may be limiting your opportunities. The art world offers various avenues for exposure, and a narrow focus on social media could stifle your potential.
Overwhelmed by Competition: The sheer number of artists and artworks created each year is staggering. If the thought of competing in such a saturated market is daunting, it might be wise to reconsider a full-time commitment to art.
Disinterest in the Business Side: A successful art career requires more than just talent; it involves marketing, networking, and managing finances. If you’re not interested in these aspects, you might find the business side of art unappealing and draining.
Burnout from Overwork: If you’re constantly feeling exhausted or uninspired due to the demands of maintaining an art career, it might be a sign that the profession is taking a toll on your mental and emotional well-being.
If creating art has become more of a burden than a joy, it might be time to quit—at least temporarily. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is take a break, get a day job to cover the bills, and let your creative spirit rest. Respect your muse enough to give her a break, knowing that the urge to create will return when the time is right. When it does, create art for the sheer love of it—for the state of flow, the challenge, and the intrinsic satisfaction it brings. And if, after some time away, you decide to turn it into a career, you’ll be pursuing it with renewed passion and purpose.
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