Why Do We Do It?
I was having a discussion with some artist friends about making art and a common thread through the conversation is that basically making art is a lot of work and it can be extremely time consuming.
So why do we do it?
After putting in 40 hours a week at the day job there are many many days I come home and think life would be so much easier if I didn’t care – if I could just pull a few weeds in the garden, make a nice dinner, go for a walk, see a movie or maybe plop down in front of the tv like 95% of the country. Why do I have a drive to have something more in my life?
But when I try not to focus on the art I’m so incredibly unhappy – it’s just so boring for me. Even though life is frenzied I’m so much happier when I devote time to my art. It’s the process of creating that keeps me going.
But how in the world can you explain this to someone else? Friends think I’m nuts. I think some times I’m obsessed and it’s a bad thing. But is it really?
Posted by Lisa in: Motivation
I’ve chased this question around the block many times… and even now, at retirement age, I still ask ‘Why?’ About the only answer I’ve nailed is that I don’t want to finalize my time on earth without knowing all that I can about myself, create with every last dollop of energy and be able to say “I did all I could do, found all I could find and was pleased.” Sometimes this narcissism conflicts with responsibilities to others, but a good life allows space for this type of innersearch.
My drive to create is a bit obsessive. I know this because I can’t quit. I’ve tried a time or two, thinking I should put my art on hold until my kids are a bit older, but the urge to create just won’t leave. Plus, like you, I get pretty down when I’m not able to paint.
Even when I’m not creating art I’m starting a project of some sort–garden, repurposing old furniture, etc. The glory of it is that I’m very rarely, if ever, bored. I watch many people struggle to find their passion in life and feel thankful I have no doubt about mine. It’s a gift, of sorts, this knowledge, and I figure I might as well enjoy it.
It’s funny you should bring this up…I had to articulate this “why” question during our most recent session of marriage counseling. Basically what I came up with is that creating art is an outlet that is necessary for me mentally and emotionally. Can I survive without it? yes, but I am only surviving, not living. Creating art completes me.
Not a bad thing at all. I think it’s something we are born with, it’s part of the DNA and if it’s denied or ignored we feel consciously or sub-consciously that ’something’ is not right. I think this is why the question ‘is it art?’ is probably irrelevent.
Thank you to everyone for your comments. Definitely food for thought and it helps to know I’m not alone with this almost unexplainable drive to create. KJ I really love how you have phrased it. And Shan – you are so right – it is a gift to know what my passion is – there are so many people that never find theres. Patti there are times I wonder how the need to create and a marriage can survive together. Mine obviously didn’t make it but I do believe it can happen.
Time to celebrate the gift of creating more than apologizing for it!
Thanks everyone.
I think the way the need to create and a marriage can survive together is for both partners to have their own passion. It doesn’t have to be the same passion, but each partner can easily understand the other’s need for creative time. And of course there has to be some un-selfishness on both sides that will allow the other time and space.
Cathy you could very well be right. If the other person doesn’t understand the passion it’s hard for them to respect it and not question it or be threatened by it. In those cases I would think the unselfishness needed to allow the other person time and space to do as they need might be very hard to give.
Since my house is filled with visitors for an entire month, it prevented me from private concentrate creative time. I got grouchy and miserable and felt selfish and ornery. One day in the studio was like a balm for my psyche. My identity returned and I felt renewed.
If art is your life, not doing art is like holding your breath. You can’t last long that way.
I think that a true artist can’t NOT create. It’s like saying ’stop breathing’ to try and stop us from working. An obsession? Yep. Can’t help it – and if it weren’t, we wouldn’t be artists. I don’t know how marriage got into this discussion, but my husband (who does not have any passions of his own) knows enough to leave me alone when I am in my studio. He is a keeper.
Why?
Because my life feels thick and somehow hollow when I don’t.
Because synchronistic magic proliferates when I create, and the special effects are cool.
Because it’s one way to dissolve the small self in the larger Self.
Because it’s ordered chaos, structured energy, a tiny mico-mirro of what the whole cosmos is doing.
Because it’s fun the same way terrifying fast adventures are fun — and why not have fun?
I totally agree. Deep down, I don’t understand how people can stand to live without writing or creating art. I have no idea who I’d be if I didn’t care about such things. What would I even think about? TV? Shopping?