RE: Tuesday Oils and My Neighbor Looking Me Over
It was a comment here on Steemit several years ago that renewed my positivity about making art a living, and vice-versa. It was about art and commodity and one’s “calling” to be an artist. I paraphrase: “Aren’t artists by the very nature of choosing that path expected to make ends meet by different means from the majority? Art is not supposed to be easy. And sales? Forget it! Fine if it comes, but just forget it. Otherwise become a business, a commodity, if that’s what you desire. But don’t call yourself an artist.”
So true, and often very lonely. Being an artist is a lifestyle, a narrow path, and immense solitude. I believe it is a visual counterpart to being a philosopher, one without the degree:) Thinking, and more importantly, feeling out loud.
Thank you for the gift of your writing. I am lifted.
The comment is well-deserved; your art inspires, as does your perseverance.
That's why I said that art is a consequence of the artist's inner world, their vision, their reality, which is unique and captivating. Your art moves me, as does that of any artist who puts passion and dedication into what they do; otherwise, how could you be an artist?
Your actions also encourage others. We don't see many creators, painters, who don't see art only as a commodity, which is why we must build bridges that keep us on the path of Van Gogh's sunflowers.
A hug from this shore, this Caribbean island.
I'll be waiting.
Hear hear!
Communion has always been the number one reason for me to express art. It’s the human connection, the sharing and reciprocity, that pushes me on to the next day. For all the hells the Internet has put us through, I have deep gratitude for all the meaningful art connections I’ve made because of it.
It is the other people living out an equal fate that have given me strength to continue. I think I’m over the hump and won’t quit now until life quits me. Van gogh didn’t have any Steemit to cheer him:)
Thank you.
For sure Steemit would have done Van Gogh some good and if not Internet would have. The same counts for more if not all artists. It is good to watch, see and talk to like-minded people. They must be there, somewhere. Not people like your neighbour using a hammer to look active and a diy-er.
I have broke bread with other artists across the ocean. I have had physical space exhibitions with over 40 painters living in 10 countries. That could never happen without fame 50 years ago. There was no “pen pal” society with an art category to join. I would have become a seasoned chef, or restaurateur if I was fortunate.
Finding a pen pal has always been hard and those artists you and I would mainly bump into are those already being supported by the government or those with some rich parents to make it possible for them to do as they like.