Random Thoughts on Making Art


"Let me ask you something, what is not art?"  Author Unknown


“The inner fire is the most important thing mankind possesses.”
Edith Södergran


"For me, painting is a way to forget life.  It is a cry in the night, a strangled laugh."  Georges Rouault

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for."  Georgia O'Keeffe

"Man will begin to recover the moment he takes art as seriously as physics, chemistry or money."  Ernst Levy

"I want to reach that condensation of sensations that constitutes a picture."  Henri Matisse

Had an interesting discussion in Niles the other day. We were talking about how artists seem to only be valued if they make money from their artwork. That even teachers aren't valued and appreciated as true artists if they don't sell work. 

I have been making art since I was very young. If you make art, you know the feeling that you get when you sit down to create something. It's a unique feeling that comes from deep within. I have always been a big believer that if you create from the heart, you are an artist and what you make has true value. 

You don't ever need to sell anything or make art for anyone but yourself for it to have value and meaning. 

Anyone who tells you otherwise has their head up their ass. Look at the work of outsider artists. They're not making art to sell. They're making art because they're called to create. Look at the work of children. They put pencil, crayon, paint brush, etc... to paper because they can. They don't care what you call it as long as you allow them the time and materials to create (even with that, they will create something from nothing with the simplest of materials.)

Some may look at this post and call me a hypocrite because I profit from my art making (via teaching and selling occasional journals.) That said, I do not and have not ever made an exorbitant amount of money from my art. Most of the time I am scraping by with what I do. I continue to make art because I am called to. To me, it's as necessary as breathing. I teach classes because I love being in the creative environment and watching my students unfold in the class. It's a truly unique experience and one that I am grateful to be a part of. There may come a day when I am forced to stop teaching and look for other work but I will be making art until the day I die.

Comments

Susie said…
I most whole heartedly agree!
Becky said…
Thank you for putting this into words. I really needed to hear it today.
Anonymous said…
Kelly, I am so glad you posted this. I do occasionally sell (for very little) and I'm always trying to justify whether I'm a "real" artist. Thanks.
Sandy said…
So very true! You inspire me to keep trying. I'm so glad I "met" you online. I for one understand that you don't make a lot of money from this. You charge so little for your classes and I can tell you put your whole heart and soul into each class I've ever taken. You make such a difference in so many lives, I hope you know that. Thank you.
Ewa said…
Great words, and I so can relate to that feeling, when I start making my creations. And I see that very same look in my 4-yr old daughters eyes... That is the most wonderful feeling, wether or not it makes money!
Cheryl said…
I'm reading a book by marketing guru Seth Godin called "The Icarus Deception" and in it he states it is the artist who will survive our current/future global economy. Those who are stuck in the Industrial Age mentality will die a slow death in obscurity. It is the artist, the true innovator, who will survive the Technological/Information Age.
Well said, Kelly. I'd also like to thank you for the time you spend creating blog posts, unpaid time. Your blog always contains an inspirational message to create, simply create.
donna!ee said…
yes indeed!!! ;D
Anonymous said…
Lovely page you created and words of truth if I ever heard some. Thanks so much, Kelly
Debby said…
Your words are so very true!!
Unknown said…
Excellent thoughts.

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