“Composer, sculptor, painter, poet, prophet, sage – these are the makers of the after-world, the architects of heaven. The world is beautiful because they have lived. Without them, laboring humanity would perish.” – James Allen
"Smoldering Desire" 24" x 24" work on canvas
I just read an interesting blog post titled “Remaining An Artist” on a blog titled An Artist In Brooklyn. I would like to identify the artist who wrote it but I am having trouble figuring that out…sorry! In this post the writer/artist talks about seeing friends who are artists put aside their art, walk away not to return, the reasons, the sadness, and the encouragement from the writer to, “think of it [art] as a matter of life or death for a unique and precious part of your being…” Art is a unique and precious part of my being - I choose to make it a unique and precious part of my world. While reading this post that is aimed at encouraging artists not to walk away, I can not help thinking about the way we view the arts in this country. The arts are the first thing to be cut from school budgets, they are considered a luxury to most, something we can do without. Can we? Should we? Are the arts important? I think the real sadness is the way we value the arts as a luxury and not as a unique and precious part of our lives. When more people begin to believe in the value and benefits that living with art provides – the joy, the emotion, the comfort and inspiration that add to our lives – perhaps then, more artists will be able to stop walking away from their art. As a society we need to understand and support the artists “who make life more interesting or beautiful, more understandable or mysterious, or probably, in the best sense, more wonderful”. We need to stop believing that art is a fringe benefit. Each of us has responsibilities to face, bills to pay and choices to make – choose to live with art, support the artists you know and admire, make all of the arts a unique and precious part of your life. Then perhaps, fewer artists will stop walking away and “Find that courage. And hold on to it. As if it were a matter of life and death.”
Art is important!
New work on Canvas. Work is available.
“The artist is the person who makes life more interesting or beautiful, more understandable or mysterious, or probably, in the best sense, more wonderful.”
-George Bellows
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Deb,
I have a longtime friend I have known for over thirty years. We went to undergrad and grad school together. We have both been artists that long. We both continue to be artists to this day. We often talk about artists friends from our past. Some still create; some have gone on to pursue other things. I totally understand why this happens. Being an artist can be a difficult life. This is especially true if you are in a position of having to support yourself and your family.
I do understand your point of view. I can’t imagine NOT being an artist. In some ways, I don’t even think of it as a choice for me. I was born this way and knew I was going to be an artist before I started school. Some people don’t think of the arts this way. They think of it as a career. I don’t. I think of it as a life or a state of being. Unfortunately, there are no prizes for an artist’s longevity. If there were, maybe more artists would stick to it for the long haul. Regardless, I will!
Sheree Rensel
http://www.wizzlewolf.com
Great blog you have here — so much content, so many ideas. And I really like how you thread your lovely work through it all. Nice! I’m honored to get the mention. Cheers!
This is a wonderful blog which caused me to reflect on my own feelings and attitude towards the appreciation of art! First let me say that art is neither an option nor a fringe benefit. It is a necessary part of life which, at this point, I cannot imagine living without. At its core, it is a personal experience, a visceral, emotional response derived from the independent expression of another person. It is an intangible link to a reality that is beyond description and without expression. It drills deeply within our humanity and touches the core of our existence.
The questions are complex. How can art increase its relative importance in the public domain and find a valued place in our lives. How does the artist influence the culture to value its work and elevate the creators to a valued place in society. What experiences, value constructs, marketing, teaching and learning is required to inoculate a media driven, market culture with an understanding of the nature, importance and value of art as a sustaining force within our lives? And finally, what is the role of the artist in this pursuit for change; because the role cannot be as a passive participant in the process.
Unfortunately I am incapable of answering these questions and must retreat to personal reflection to examine my own journey to find some measure of understanding. I can say that exposure at a stage where cognitive appreciation, intellectual maturity and value formation converge is important (i.e., graduate school and exposure to the artist of the Bauhaus began the process followed by the decision to support the arts financially). This is in no way and answer however, and is more of a personal experience and observation.
In the end it is abundantly clear that the artist and the consumer are inextricably linked in a dance of production and consumption. For a select few whose voices are heard and touch the hearts of many, their lives will thrive in the public domain. For others, the songs of the artist may be heard by a select few. This, unfortunately, is the reality of the market which in no way elevates or diminishes the value of the work. Art is not a fringe benefit. It is food for our soul…and under extraordinary circumstances it touches our spirit leaving us breathless in a solitary oneness with the artist.
Hi, important subject here. One of the most important, in my mind. Why have the arts taken a back seat to other areas of education (and to sports)?
Through art, we learn about humanity, history, philosophy, and the eternal order/disorder of the universe. Art places us in time and space. We can see the past in addition to reading about it, envision the future instead of just writing about it. It gives us joy and consternation. It makes us feel. It makes us human.
Humans are compelled to decipher their existence through artistic self-expression. Art is born out of your life and out of your love, your anger, your euphoria, and your depression. What else are we going to do with the overwhelm of existence but transform it through this process?
About the artist and consumer… For me, art is not initially a commercial endeavor, it’s a personal expression. It’s primarily a form of communication. When that message resonates with someone and they purchase it, that’s what it’s all about. Someone “gets it.”
Artist and consumer is a relationship. But the market shouldn’t define us as artists nor should it discourage us from creating. Deborah is right, someone (are you listening Obama?) should bring back support for all the arts as necessary and vital for the development of our children and our culture… unless you’re satisfied with the “cult of money” culture we currently promote that leaves us penniless after meeting its exhausting demands.