If An Artist Falls In The Forest, Does Anyone Care???
I was running errands yesterday and while I was driving from one end of town to the other I tuned into a radio show on NPR. A lady was being interviewed regarding a book she’d written about a man who was a passionate musician and writer and his sister, the realist. This man had spent his entire life devoted to his crafts of creating music and writing his own “great American novel”. The only problem, for him as well as his sister, the realist, was that his devotion to his enterprises never developed into any success financially or acclaim globally. Or locally, for that matter. To his sister’s dismay, all she could do was stand in the wings of his empty sideshow and watch him waste his life on impossible pursuits. There’s more to this story, but that was the core of it.
How many of us fall into the category of starving artist and how many are relegated to those who witness them with churning stomachs and bitten nails? How few ever “make it” as bonifide stars in their chosen fields? And how is success measured? A cult following? Millions in the bank? Both? Or maybe just a handful of people who are forever moved and drawn to the artist and his or her works?
Some lives are sectioned off into stages in which our roles reverse. I spent periods of my own life holding the hands of those counting chickens before they hatched, so hell bent were they on lassoing those pies in the sky. And still other portions of my life I found myself in the position of maniacally tap dancing in front of a parade of rejecting casting directors and short story editors. And I must add, though I was disappointed at the time, I harbor no lasting bitterness. Seriously. It was simply not meant for me, so I moved on.
But what happens to the artist who simply cannot abandon what they live for? If their lives are strictly spent solo, with no one else to account for, then perhaps they should continue weaving necklaces out of pipe cleaners, bottle caps and glitter.
The problems start to boil over when the artist can no longer support him or herself and suddenly the burden falls squarely on the shoulders of those closest to the creative soul. Is that fair? Probably not, but anyone in the position of loving someone who is a starving artist finds it hard to break away and leave the artist to wither away alone with their glitter.
So, if someone enjoys a certain art form be it painting or sculpting, singing or dancing, puppeteering or miming, should they question the validity of their chosen craft if it fails to elicit a response from anyone? At what point do you stop hoping for an audience and create solely for yourself? The need for approval may never be squashed, as long as the artist continues to put their work out in the public eye. After all, there is no harm or personal let down if the art is conjured up in a dark corner then immediately whisked to a bathroom wall. Who else would ever have a chance to see it? Thus rave or reject it?
Yes, there are all levels of art. From the Picasso’s to the pipe cleaner wielders and everything in between. And who is to say the next wave in fashion won’t be bottle cap necklaces?
I think there must be a happy medium between belief in your art, should you be that artist, and a healthy dose of reality. Separating yourself from your art can be hard. Having your goods overlooked when you set up your wares in a tiny booth at a local art fair can feel crushing. Just as deflating as booking a gig at a venue in town, only to run out on stage to an audience of none.
Should you put down your guitar or pack up your wind chimes? No. Never give up on what stirs your soul. You may need to shift gears and find a better way to support yourself if you’ve put all of your eggs in that basket you wove that won’t sell, but you don’t have to extinguish that creative spark. You know why? Because that spark is what makes you feel alive. It energizes you and keeps your life thrilling.
So if you ever feel like no one cares or you’ll never find an audience for your special talent, so what? Keep pursuing your passion while forging a productive, full life and regardless of its intensity, you will be a star.
Comments
There’ll always be a somebody who likes what you do, finding them is the hard part…
Amen! Thanks so much for your marvelous words of wisdom! :)
– Ainsley Kellar Creations
Provocative questions. The moments of doing and trying to create mean more to me, although I would not depend on another for sustenance. Until then, I’ll persevere through ups and downs and angst and joy.
Well-written and flowing piece, Ainsley. I must read again to note your writing skill. I was caught up in the questions at first reading.
Thank you so much for your incredibly thoughtful words. Your insight is intriguing. I appreciate your input! :)
– Ainsley Kellar Creations
Precisely. My only sister has succeeded wildly in her art. I don’t pretend that we inherited the same genes, nor do I envy her deadlines or agents or other things that interfere with the sheer joy.
Your active verbs compel the reader here, I think. (And use of “its” correctly— now that brings me joy!)
Awww, I cannot thank you enough. And, while I’m sure your sister is a talented artist, you cannot say you have not inherited an extraordinary talent of your own. Your work is sensational and I, for one, love it!!! :)
– Ainsley Kellar Creations
Ainsley I have become an avid reader of your posts much because of articles as provocative as this piece. It happens to coincide with a train of thought and dialogue I was having with myself today while driving in 109 degree heat without airconditioning in rush hour slow melting traffic. I wondered if you had a choice of living a toilsome life filled with poverty or disdain or even mockery but then became astonishinly famous upon death.
Or the other choice of living a rich happy funfilled life with or without art yet have no fame upon death what would you choose? I was somewhat perplexed as to what my answer would be. It would seem a nice idea to be comfortable and succesful yet still be able to do your art at liesure. However my thought was that if you did go the other way and choose the toil and fame path it would be of greater benefit to those we leave behind not just our children or grandchildren but generations (what a great legacy). The Van Gogh family is a case in point. Had it not been for theo’s support of Vincent through his struggled life the name Van Gogh would have been a common name only known mostly in the Netherlands.
Just sayin’ as food for thought…..
Wow! I am floored and honored to see that you enjoy my literary offerings. You made my day, my week, my everything! :)
Your comment is very thought-provoking and insightful.
It would be tough to choose should the options ever arise. Funny that you were thinking of Van Gogh in particular. I was having a conversation about Van Gogh the other day with my 10 year old daughter. We were driving over to get a Snowie (snow cone) at a local shopping plaza in our own sweltering heat and drove past a billboard with a Van Gogh painting displayed prominently upon it. I pointed it out and started telling Ava the story of Van Gogh and mentioned how sad it was that, though he is now considered to be one of the greatest painters of all time with his works known globally for generations, he knew no success or fortune during his own lifetime. He lived a seemingly tortured life and (I did not mention this to my daughter, of course) ultimately shot himself.
I think, though it would be wonderful to achieve fame and fortune for my legacy, (not gonna happen but hope springs eternal!) ensuring my name would be prominent in the history books and the continued growth of my family tree would thrive with rich fruit, spending my short time on Earth creating work that I believed in but others shunned or worse booed would be maddening. Constantly beating yourself up against a brick wall of critics only to be torn apart is grim.
It is hard when someone puts their heart and soul into their art and it never finds an audience, while living or after death. I try to keep at it regardless. I create for myself and if someone stands up and says bravo, fantastic! It’s those bravos that keep motivating me and that acknowledgement suggests that I might be on the right track. Everything produced can’t be winners, but when they are, how dazzling is that reward of having wowed someone else with your art!
– Ainsley Kellar Creations
The way I look at it,…If I did art work to make a living then,…Then it would be work.
I work so I can buy the tools to do my art.
My art is for me,and if someone else likes it,….That gives me real joy,…and if someone buys it,…Oh wow!.
But to be a working artist,…I`ll never be.
My inter soul is happy with my art,…and that`s OK by me.
When you leave this world for the next,or what ever,…..It really makes no difference if you were famous Artist or not.
Rich or poor,…Famous or not,…We all move on.
So the bottom line,….If you enjoy what you do,…They do it.
Brilliant words spoken by a true, incredibly talented artist, of whom I am still admiring daily via my lovely wall calendar!!! :)
– Ainsley Kellar Creations
Tons of wise words, very encouraging Ainsley
Thank you soooo very much!!!
– Ainsley Kellar Creations
Excellent write and excellent questions. I love art; creating it, looking at it, reading about it and talking about it.
I’m not holding my breathe though, waiting for someone to buy something. That’s a hard thing, wanting that, especially if you need to rely on others to pay your bills. Everyone is so different, and I wont judge anyone on their choices, but I can learn from them. Thought provoking, Ainsley, and beautifully written.
I enjoyed reading this, and the insightful comments. We each have different needs and drives, of course, depending on our personal mix of talents but also our personal circumstances. How many women of talent, for example, have kept their art as a hobby while devoting themselves to raising their family? My photography gives me great pleasure and I cannot deny that I love it when someone else appreciates it but my life’s work of art is my children. And that is my free choice. You made me think of this when in reply to a comment you mentioned how you told your 10 year old daughter about Van Gogh. She may remember that moment all her life and who can know how much your time freely given will impact on her life in so many small but important ways. I hope for the same with my own 10 year old daughter. And one day perhaps your daughter will share your art with her own son or daughter. A double legacy :o))
FAVE! Beautifully written Ainsley! Bravo!
… and this is a first for me, fav’ing a piece of writing!! :-)))
Food for thought. Grasping out for success and and fear of failure can be( without realising it at the time) a disheartening activity.
It is only when we let go of the desires to succeed and despair at our failures ,do we actually see the light. G